Schools take new awards

Excellence project

A magnificent seven Monklands schools were honoured at North Lanarkshire’s inaugural excellence and equity awards.

Drumpark Primar y and Nursery earned two commendations at the ceremony, to “promote and share good practice”.

The Coatbridge school was among the award winners in the “big challenges, effective solutions” section for their creation of nuturing environment The Hub; and in the “productive partnerships, purposeful learning” section for establishing monthly dropin sessions for parents, with the community learning and development workers and NHS Lanarkshire.

Also honoured in that category were St Margaret’s High, for its “Refresh” programme; and Glenboig Primary for its hugely successful camera club.

Monklands had a further three “big challenges” winners – a project at St Stephen’s Primary to help improve attainment in maths, Caldervale High’s personal development and skills programme for National 4 pupils, and the successful two-day literacy festival at Coatbridge High.

Airdrie Academy was rewarded for “going the extra mile” with its active literacy week, supported by parents and businesses and including sessions such as Scots language and music.

Council assistant chief executive Isabelle Boyd said: “There are a great deal of fantastic initiatives in our schools which make a difference to young people.

“These awards aim to champion the positive impact on a class or group within their communities.”