Our Contribution to Education

By Ronnie Davidson, Chief Executive

Inspiring Purpose is designed for use in the second, third of fourth phase of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence (P6-S4) with many thousands of young people completing across each of these year groups. It is also a cross cutting educational experience, developing attributes and capability outcomes in Expressive Arts, Health and Wellbeing, Religious and Moral education and in some circumstances, Social Studies and Technologies. The programme provides explicit support for Curriculum for Excellence by seeking to develop character virtue literacy and personal development associated with each of the four capacities.

CONTRIBUTION TO DISADVANTAGED YOUNG PEOPLE

The programme is highly valued by teachers working with young people who typically have low levels of engagement or attainment in education. The Good Shepherd Secure Centre in Bishopton is one example. Joseph Casey a teacher at the school says, “Inspiring Purpose has become a huge part of our curriculum.  It is an invaluable educational tool.  It encourages pupils to reflect on their own skills and qualities and every pupil that has completed the project has gained in self-confidence through being encouraged to think more about their future and the impact they can have on the world.”

CONTRIBUTION TO RAISING ATTAINMENT

A core purpose of the programme is to raise attainment in young people. In 2015/6 almost 30,000 young people completed the programme and identified goals and specific personal qualities they will need to work on to help them reach those goals.  Shona Robison Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport says, “The purpose of designing the poster is to really allow pupils to think about what they want to achieve in their life and aspire to be as good as they can be.”

CONTRIBUTION TO ‘DEVELOPING THE YOUNG WORKFORCE

Developing the Young Workforce is about the future workforce – our young people – making informed and ambitious choices about jobs and careers, ready to take their place in the world as effective contributors.  After taking part in the Inspiring Purpose Programme Jordan Smith who was at the time a S1 pupil at Ross High School said, “From taking part in this project I have learned more about myself and what I really want from life. This has helped me realise what I really want to achieve and given me motivation to reach those goals. It makes me think about who I am and what I am.”

CONTRIBUTION TO LEARNING AND TEACHING

“Inspiring Purpose has been a tremendous programme to be involved in. I have witnessed pupils of all abilities reflect on the type of person they are and who they want to be in the future. It has been a privilege to work with them and I think it has had a huge influence both on how the pupils value and support each other and on how I approach my teaching.”
Zoe Brown, Langholm Academy

CONTRIBUTION TO YOUTH SOCIAL ACTION

“By taking part in the Inspiring Purpose programme, I have learned a lot more about myself; I now have a clearer understanding of my own opinions and feelings which is something that I never considered before. Most importantly it has helped me focus on my goals for the future, to be the best possible person I can be. So one day I can be an inspiration to young people.”
Ella McKenna-Baxter, St. Colms High School

At the end of our programme, we ask participants to think about their vision for a better world and what they could do now to take action on this vision and become a more active citizen, here are a sample of responses:

#iwill inspire other to embrace their quirks and not fell judged. Together we can all stand up to the minority of haters because we are stronger. We should all because more active in fighting for equality, especially children. Children are the future. I personally want to get my friends involved so that people can hear our voices and we can spread the love. I want to be able to challenge people who get others down and motivate others to do the same. Caitlin Scollin Balfron High School

#iwill start off small and be peaceful to myself and the people around me. I will inspire people to see what i hope for: To bring peace to the word. I will accept everyone and their own beliefs and ways of life. “Be the change you wish to see in the world” Ghandi. Abby Fabel Balfron High School

#iwill try to be less selfish, to think of others needs as well as my own – I will try to help those that I can. I will remind myself and others to be compassionate towards others, first in thinking then in doing. I will strive to be kind of heart, and fair in my dealings with others. Joshua Johnston Clydeview Academy

#iwill treat everyone the same no matter what their gender, skin colour or religion is. I will make people aware that equality matters and even though people make out they don’t care, deep down it’s really hurting them. I will respect others! Alicia Wood Banff Academy

#iwill never make assumptions about people because of their faith and will not judge others based on religion. I will get to know people before developing an opinion on them. Dylan Grant Kilsyth Academy