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REVIEW 2022-23

1. I work for St Modan's HS, Stirling and we have built a great relationship with the CMS team over the academic year 2022-23. We have had a successful cohort graduate through the programme and at least one pupil has achieved employment from this programme. The other attendees have shown growth in maturity and confidence. Pupils who attended also displayed improved attendance in school, particularly those who had very poor attendance would always appear on a Friday to attend the programme. They gained two recognised awards from this programme which will undoubtedly help their chances of achieving a positive destination.

There is an ever-increasing need for programmes like the CMS Leadership Academy to run and they are so valuable to schools who do not have the staff, space or skills to run specific courses like the ones on offer. Young people in the St Modan's community and across Stirling Council would massively benefit from the shorter and more career specific programmes that hope to run in session 2023-24. We are particularly interested and there is a high pupil demand for specific/tailored programmes such as sport and fitness, peer tutoring, gardening and others. 

2. Since May 2023, we have built a great relationship with the CMS team over the academic year 2022-23. CMS contacted me via twitter and have made a fantastic offering for Clacks' young people.
 
We have had a successful cohort graduate through the programme and at least one pupil has achieved returned to school having not been in school for almost two years. CMS has built confidence and connections - with talented coaches/supporters, they genuinely get the best from the young people. The other attendees have shown growth in maturity and confidence. Pupils who attended also displayed improved attendance in school, particularly those who had very poor attendance would always appear on a Friday to attend the programme. They gained two recognised awards from this programme which will undoubtedly help their chances of achieving a positive destination.
 
There is an ever-increasing need for programmes like the CMS Leadership Academy to run and they are so valuable to schools who do not have the staff, space or skills to run specific courses like the ones on offer. As Virtual Headteacher, I would be keen to have four CMS Leadership Academies per year - once a term, as well as specific individualised programmes for smaller groups of young people as well. These courses represent bespoke options for our young people who do not access education in the most traditional sense, and need something quite different. CMS can deliver on this.
 
Young people in the Clackmannanshire Council community would massively benefit from the shorter and more career specific programmes that hope to run in session 2023-24. Our model is to offer young people from our four secondary educational provisions and in essence, we are running a mini-academy during each of the programmes. We are particularly interested and there is a high pupil demand for specific/tailored programmes such as sport and fitness, peer tutoring, gardening and others. 

Successes

 One full CMS programme has run - 10 young people attended the programme - 6 of whom

attended every session

 A young person who did not attend school for 18 months attended - and built her confidence

- she has now returned for an S5 studying 4 qualifications

 A young person who did not attend school for 24 months attended every week - and he

engaged positively - he has now moved on to a positive destination with FV college to do a

chef/culinary course

 A young person who did not attend school (attendance percentage very low) and who was

often emotionally in crisis attended all sessions - achieved the award - and is now

volunteering 2 days per week at a Primary School and 1 day at Bowmar Café

 A young person who did not attend school regularly has completed CMS and has now

returned to school and is engaging well.

REVIEW 2023-24

Marcus S4 (was going to leave school in January 2025)

Marcus found himself having to relocate to another Secondary School when his parents moved to another town. Marcus by nature is introvert who is struggled to make friends and by his own admission did not ‘fit’ in. He is on a reduced timetable at school as school is not really for him but he has a passion for animals especially reptiles and spiders. So subjects which like Biology he enjoys although he struggles when it comes to exams.

We were contacted by the school through the DYW Co-ordinator and I met up with Marcus and showed him the Animal Care Short Course through ASDAN and he immediately said yes to starting the programme. Marcus has been absolutely brilliant, is working his way through the all the Modules and it has been so rewarding to see a young person develop his knowledge and confidence. We have arranged for him to volunteer at a local Veterinary Clinic and he also volunteers at a shop in Falkirk which specialises in reptiles which he organised by himself.

He now has new goals and is looking at further education or he might stay on at school if he cannot find a course which suits him.

Marcus has become a fabulous Ambassador for us and we have had another three young people starting the Animal Care Short Course from his direct recommendation.

Update from Forbes Maginnis Virtual Headmaster Clackmannan

CMS Leadership Academies (ACTS Scotland) has partnered with the Clackmannanshire Virtual HT now for around 15 months, and have so far delivered 8 academies.

Almost 70 young people have benefited from this targeted intervention, supporting enhanced confidence and self efficacy.

Around 40 of the young people have either been non-attending or very low attendance at traditional school due to emotional wellbeing, mental health or complex family circumstances. Almost all young people have completed the course, leading to a Level 3 Employability Award with 12 individual mini-units that are recognised by colleges and employers.

It has expanded to include a First Aid Qualification delivered by Daisy First Aid, as part of the programme. Around 40 young people have achieved this.

Throughout the programme, young people are visited by Skills Development Scotland which supports next steps and development of pathways to employment.

In the first Cohort, 5 of the 8 went from no plan to having a positive and sustained destination, 3 returned to school having been non attending and then subsequently had a positive destination thereafter.

An analysis of attendance with a group of S3 boys and Alloa Academy showed a 10% increase in attendance across a two term period, this was identified by the depute headteacher and shared with Education Scotland as part of their inspection of the school.

Students from Alva Academy completed the program and then went on to undertake an experience with the Scottish fire and rescue service. These pupils, at that point, were not attending school but subsequently returned to school as part of a planned approach alongside the virtual headteacher.

Currently, we are working with a group of S1 students who lack confidence and are seeing an attendance of 70% at school. The present group at the Academy is currently at 90% attendance and they report, verbally, increased confidence.

The program has also supported Clackmannanshire leavers. Almost all young people in S4/5 who have completed the Academy have a positive destination.

This programme is having significant impact for our YP

2025

Some incredible insight into the work we are currently doing through our Employability Skills Development programme in both Clackmannan and Stirling.

Insight 1:

Another super session at Mayfield Centre with our young people.

Very well done to the young people and the tutors.

Outline of the day:

Today was brilliant! The entire group showed up and engaged well with all the topics we covered.

Building on yesterday’s session, we reviewed a CV and cover letter example, making connections to what was previously discussed.

We explored the definitions of an entrepreneur and a business enterprise, followed by a creative activity where each participant developed their own business idea. They outlined a unique selling point (USP) and planned how they would run their business. Everyone participated enthusiastically and came up with some fantastic ideas.

Next, we had an insightful discussion about business enterprises and favourite brands—how they make money, who their target customers are, how they sell their products, and what makes them unique.

The group then researched self-employed individuals and businesses, exploring the platforms they use to operate and grow.

We also focused on problem-solving, identifying challenges that could arise in both self-employment and traditional employment. The group discussed practical ways to tackle everyday business issues, along with strategies for delivering excellent customer service—a skill essential in any workplace.

Additionally, we examined different companies and the various ways they generate income. As a group, we weighed the advantages and disadvantages of being employed versus self-employed.

To wrap up, we had a meaningful discussion about respecting different opinions and being non-judgmental. We emphasized that while we may not always agree with others’ beliefs, every perspective is valid and deserves respect.

Overall, it was a fantastic and productive day!

Insight 2:

Amazing session today with the young people today at Mayfield Centre. A big thank you to Evelyn and Allan from the JobCentre who chatted to our young people.

- [ ] Everyone arrived 20 mins early to

- [ ] Discussing the following:

- [ ] CV

- [ ] Application form

- [ ] Personnel statement

- [ ] Cover letter

- [ ] We then went through flowchart of steps necessary of creating a cv, what you would like to do as a job? Where to look for jobs and then the interview stage.

- [ ] Mock interviews the group created the following questions

- [ ] What qualifications do you have?

- [ ] Why have you applied for this job?

- [ ] What are your hobbies?

- [ ] What salary would you like?

- [ ] Do you have your own equipment ?

- [ ] Are you good at communicating?

- [ ] What is your ideal hours?

- [ ] What do you do in your spare time?

- [ ] How would you ensure safety in the workplace?

- [ ] Can you solve problems?

- [ ] Any experience or qualifications related to job?

- [ ] We then discussed appropriate clothing and good hygiene standards in the workplace as a

- [ ] Job centre were great at explaining what they do and answering an important question Do they find you a job or offer you a job?

- [ ] The answer They help facilitate job finding.

- [ ] Young people were interested in apprenticeship within the army.

- [ ] Everyone was engaged and answered mock interviews questions.

- [ ] Job centre  is a great resource and explained what they do and how they can help in many different ways and asked if they would be interested in the Army coming in for a chat and the group are all very keen.

- [ ] Some young people would like carpentry and joinery.

- [ ] Also it’s great listening to people about transferring skills in different job sectors.

- [ ] I said I would brings in a few different examples of CV and cover letters tomorrow as some in group haven’t seen one.

- [ ]  Very good example of the Job centre of there steps off job hunting

A any Job

B better job

C career

- [ ] Task plan drinks and list for event and cost

- [ ] CITB course at college helps you get apprenticeships only 6 selected a year.

- [ ] Working wardrobe

- [ ] Body language

- [ ] Travelling to work

- [ ] Nine Tasks completed today

Insight 3:

We managed to make connections with yesterday’s topic of Appropriate joke/behaviour and language in the work place when Tony came in and we asked them to use respectful language and they rephrased swear word to more suitable manner.

- [ ] They all have helped tidy up and were very engaged today with our topic on customer service as we related it back to jobs that interested them.

- [ ] Tony played a game that everyone enjoyed which showed all different skill sets can be transferred to a varied job sector.

- [ ] This session was great insight for everyone as they were engaged, participated and asked question on what career options and courses were available, how they can proceed