Students receive scrolls
Young students who completed their HNCs at Forth Valley College while still at school, picked up their scrolls at the college graduation ceremonies.
The 18 senior high school pupils were the first ever intake of FVC’s HNC schools programme to graduate at the annual graduation events and were part of a total of 35 high school students who were eligible to graduate this year.
Many of those choosing not to receive their scrolls this year are going on to further study at FVC or at university.
Among those graduating at the Falkirk Town Hall ceremony on October 4 was Matthew Differ of Denny High School who gained his HNC computing.
Graduating at the Stirling Castle ceremony on October 6 were: HNC Hospitality Management – Zaynab Ashraf and Rebecca Davies (both Denny High), Kieran Grenfell and Clodagh Killigrew (both Alloa Academy), Calum Gullen (Alva Academy), Aimee Keay (Larbert High), Jonathan McVicar (Bo’ness Academy) and Brandon Smith (Grangemouth High).
Associate principal Fiona Brown said:“It is absolutely fantastic to see so many of the HNC schools programme pupils graduating at our official ceremonies.
“They have all shown dedication and commitment to their studies and have been rewarded with an HNC before they have even left school. This will give them a head start as they now look to apply to college, university or search for a job.
“A big well done must go to them, we are all very proud of them.”
The college’s HNC schools programme is a partnership between Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Councils who have created a range of new opportunities for pupils to study for Higher National Certificate (HNC) qualifications whilst they are still at school, alongside Highers.
S5/S6 pupils can study HNCs in the following subject areas: electrical engineering, civil engineering, coaching and development, sport and computing (all subject to sufficient numbers).
Any pupil currently in S4 and in a position where the school they attend confidently predicts they are on track to achieve two Highers at grade B in S5, could be eligible to study for an HNC over two years (S5 and S6), starting in August 2016. Highly respected HNC qualifications are also a route to degree study at university on leaving high school.
During the HNC, pupils would attend college for two half days each week during term time.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) said: “HNCs and HNDs are specially designed to meet the needs of employers both locally and internationally. So if you are serious about getting a job and want a career with prospects, then getting a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or a Higher National Diploma (HND) is one of the best ways to achieve your ambition and because employers recognise Higher National Qualifications as good evidence of your ability, having an HNC or HND will help you get a job.”
HNC places are still available and anyone interested in finding out more should contact Ernie Romer (School Provision Co-ordinator) by email: schools.co-ordinator@forthvalley.ac.uk