Skills development: Partnership working
Skills focus:
Literacy, numeracy, team-work, communication and taking responsibility.
Forres Academy, Moray Council
Forres Academy works in partnership with the voluntary organisation Skill Force. Skill Force employs former military personnel as instructors to work with young people, some of whom are at risk of not achieving positive destinations post school. This programme is a curriculum option for S3 pupils and continues into S4. It is classroom based within the school and also uses project and expedition work.
The approach is less formal than in the classroom and uses group work and active and co-operative approaches to engage learners. Young people relate particularly well with the tutors and this results in high levels of trust and mutual respect. The programme has improved all learners’ confidence; helped them to feel more mature and responsible; get along better with other young people and adults; and develop important skills, such as oral communication, literacy, numeracy and team work. Young people value highly the accredited awards that they achieve through the programme. The school and parents also view the Skill Force programme very positively.
Potential links to the Experiences and Outcomes:
I am developing confidence when engaging with others within and beyond my place of learning. I can communicate in a clear, expressive way and I am learning to select and organise resources independently. LIT 3-10a
I can use a variety of methods to solve number problems in familiar contexts, clearly communicating my processes and solutions. MNU 3-03a
I am developing the skills and attributes which I will need for learning, life and work. I am gaining understanding of the relevance of my current learning to future opportunities. This is helping me to make informed choices about my life and learning. HWB 3-19a
I am developing the skills to lead and recognise strengths of group members, including myself. I contribute to groups and teams through my knowledge of individual strengths, group tactics, and strategies. HWB 3-23a