life skills

2. Maths Department – Ashleigh Construction
• Pupils visited Ashleigh Construction site on Montgomerie Street and took
part in some activities measuring out the layout for a new building.
Pupils listened to a mixture of professionals discuss their job roles and
how mathematics plays an important part.

3. English department – Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald
• Pupils have been writing an eight page quarterly spread for the paper.
This has been written and edited by pupils as well as all media for this
document created by pupils.

4. Biology – NHS & TIMSTAR
• Dr Janet Mckay discussing cardiac disease and NHS careers with Higher
Human Biology classes
• Lucienne McCallum has worked with AH Biology pupils on experimental
techniques – PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA finger printing

5. BGE Science – I’m a Scientist
• Pupils are given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their
learning with scientists and engineers from across the country before
choosing their favourite. The winner is given a grant to continue their
work in communicating science.

6. Modern Studies – Police Scotland, Foodbank, HMPS,
Parliament, Charities
• The N5 and Higher Modern Studies is complimented by various links
to local and national businesses.

7. Childcare – Little Deers Nursery
• As part of the pupils’ National qualification in childcare they have
visited Little Deers Nursery to learn about the importance of play in
learning. Pupils have also all had a week’s work experience with
various nurseries in the local area.

8. Computing – Nexus Web Design
• Gordon Bain has been working with the Web Design class showing
them software and techniques as well as discussing his career in
running his own company.

9. PE – Maximum Potential Gym
• Maximum Potential have been helping to deliver lessons in PE
highlighting key parts of the courses they use in their jobs.

10. HE – Garfield’s restaurant
• Pupils visited Garfield’s to find out about the range of careers in
hospitality as well as tasting some of the foods.
• The class will now use their knowledge to work with Garfield’s to run
a staff tapas style buffet. Pupils will learn about the organisation of
events and try to raise money for a charity through this event.

11. PSE – YPI
• Pupils chose and researched charities close to their own values. Pupils
worked collectively with a range of charities to present their findings
to the rest of their year group and parents. This year’s winning group
won £3000 for local charity Little Box of Distractions.

12. Personal Support – ESpark Enterprise
• S1-3 pupils worked on materials presented by ESpark Enterprise to
develop their own enterprise activities. Pupils had time in personal
support each morning to work through different aspects of building a
new business. Pupils created business plans which were then
reviewed by business coaches from ESpark.

13. S2 Leadership Group – CANI Coaching
• A group of S2 pupils have been identified to work on their own ideas of leadership to help them raise their own attainment. Pupils have
worked with Derek Gall, of CANI Coaching, for several weeks to work on skills relating to their own personal values, communication as well
as how to achieve the goals they set themselves.
This group will benefit the rest of the school community by sharing their learning:
• Pupils key messages following the program include:
• Happiness is key. Once you are happy you can anything that you dream.
• Never give up, continue to push towards you goals no matter how hard they are!
• Anyone can be the best version of themselves if they try.
• Don’t worry about the future. Focus on improving yourself now.
• All you need is to be you
• When you set your mind to something and believe you can do it – you will!

14. DYW/Your Future
• Our annual careers fayre continued to build on strong foundations
and had an unprecedented number of businesses turn up to share
their expertise and journeys with pupils and parents.

15. Maths – Women into Engineering
• S3 girls have been involved in various projects this year to make them
aware of careers available within STEM.

16. SDS Modern Apprenticeships Information event
Pupils were given presentations from SDS and GSK about
apprenticeships before having the opportunity to discuss their
career paths with a range of employers.

17. ArdCo – Art and Design Enterprise Group
ArdCo have been established as an enterprise company aiming to
frame and sell pupil work.
ArdCo will be hosting their first event on April 1st.

18. Modern Languages – Lingo Flamingo
On the morning of Thursday 1st December, Robbie Norval, founder of
LingoFlamingo (a social enterprise company) came into the school to talk to some
S3 pupils about the work he does. His company teaches foreign languages to
elderly people and those suffering from the effects of dementia across parts of
Scotland. He explained about the many health benefits of language learning as well
as the developmental benefits of being able to speak another language and the
pupils took part in a number of tasks relating to his presentation. Pupils also looked
at the benefits that learning another language could have on their future careers
and earning potential. All of the information was extremely interesting and the
pupils were a credit to the school throughout.

19. Drama –
Capall Dorcha, Funky Films, Fresh Faced Theatre, Ayrshire
Films
• Pupils studying drama have regular involvement with business
partners providing pupils with workshops to enhance their skills as
well as showing opportunities available to pupils within the creative
industries.

20. Maths Department – BOSCH Automative Services
• BOSCH delivered a series of talks about working within STEM. As part
of their visit BOSCH discussed various routes into the sector including
apprenticeships. The gender balance issue within STEM was also
tackled by promotion of this sector to females within the audience.
Pupils were given the opportunity to ask questions about working in
STEM as well as how they can progress towards their desired career.

21. Our Future plans include
Booth Welsh – STEM subject input
Army/RAF workshops
EDF – Engineering pathways with STEM cluster
NCT Leather – Geography partnership looking at sustainability
DSM – Chemical engineering of Vitamin C within Higher Chemistry
Alan White Design – skills development for Graphic Design
Centrestage – A cross curricular Art/Music/Drama experience
KA Leisure – Business Management development across a company
GTG Training – Mechanic workshop
MERCK/SIGMA – scientific skills development in BGE