Hub is making a difference
Arran High School is delighted to be finalists in this year's Scottish Education Awards in the making a difference (secondary) category.
These are the biggest awards in Scotland, usually culminating with a big award ceremony in Glasgow, but there is no overall winners this year due to the coronavirus pandemic so Arran will share the award with the two other finalists – Clydebank High School and St Luke's High School, Barrhead.
The Arran nomination was for collaborative work in developing health and well-being for young people and the community reflecting a whole island approach for sustainability. A three-year strategy was created, encompassing all areas of health and well-being from physical to mental, environmental and healthy living. Those involved worked closely with partners on and off the island.
The strategy included offering training in mental health first aid for senior students, staff and community members and the creation by Mrs Suzie Dick of a high school well-being hub and the employment of two members of staff – Mrs Jen Christie and Mrs Eileen Gregg – to run the programmes.
The hub provides daily pet therapy, inter-generational projects, family support sessions, as well as providing a safe space for those who need it and a neutral space to support those who have anxiety coming to school.
Partnerships with other island schools, mainland schools including Shawlands Academy on LGBTQI, the Community Alcohol Partnership, Police Scotland, Arran Medical Group, Heather Lodge and HSCP have been key to the ongoing work.
The aim has been to engage all learners on the island in positive health and well-being, wherever their interests lie, whether through sport, being creative or a passion for the environment with the aim that when happy, secure and involved in their school and community, they are more able and willing to learn and achieve in an ongoing, sustainable way.
Each year the school has run a health and well-being calendar, culminating in a health and well-being week for all age groups, led by Mrs Lucy Urquhart-Dixon supported by many staff.
The award also recognises the importance all the schools on the island place on the diverse range of ways to be successful being seen as of equal merit, whether through Arran Music School, School of Sport, Skills for Success group, Enterprise committee or ENACTUS.
The strength of the community is that it supports everyone to achieve and provide additional knowledge and expertise so that all young people can be successful. This is also reflective in the 100 per cent positive destination success for all leavers from the high school.