A life on the ocean wave for Craigie crew!

Craigroyston kids sail the Clyde thanks to CashBack for Communities and Ocean Youth Trust Scotland

Eight young people from Edinburgh were given the opportunity to take part in an Ocean Youth Trust Scotland voyage funded with money from CashBack for Communities last week. The group set sail from Greenock on 31 August to spend five days exploring the waters of the Upper Clyde.

The group was made up of young people from Craigroyston Community High School and Castlebrae Community High School.

The Craigroyston group was particularly looking forward to their voyage – three of them recently completed the build of their coastal rowing skiff with Muirhouse Youth Development Group!

Whilst on board, the group found themselves fully responsible for sailing the 72ft yacht, Alba Explorer, including all the elements of day to day life on board the yacht from cleaning and cooking to hoisting and dropping sails on the foredeck.

Speaking to a very excited group at the end of the voyage, this is what they had to say:

“This trip will change lots of people’s lives, especially the people who thought they had nothing after school.”

“An enriched week full of beautiful moments and memories. Life changing and unforgettable.”

“I learned something new every day.”

“I learned so many things, some great ideas we can use with our skiff and confidence in myself and in meeting new people.”

Richard Haig, OYTS First Mate on board said, “It was amazing to see the change in the young people from the start of the week to the end. One of the girls in particular was so quiet at the start of the week. But, by the end I watched her grab a full sail bag from the pontoon and throw it over the guard rail onto the deck saying: “I’m stronger than I look!” – a real show of the confidence she had gained over the week!”

All members of the crew received the Royal Yachting Association’s Start Yachting Level 1 Award, the SQA’s Level 3 Speaking and Listening qualification. All of the young people have also put themselves forward to be Ocean Youth Trust Scotland volunteers and have asked to be put forward for OYT’s Young Leaders Development Programme.

Ocean Youth Trust Scotland (OYT Scotland), Scotland’s leading sail training organisation, is transforming more than 320 young people’s lives over two years thanks to an award from the “CashBack for Communities” scheme – the Scottish Government’s proceeds of crime fund.

Participants from disadvantaged backgrounds across Scotland will take part in five-day long sea voyages in some of the world’s best sailing waters. During the voyage, the novice sailors gain nationally accredited qualifications, and also improve their communication and problem-solving skills.

Nick Fleming, Chief Executive of OYT Scotland said: “Our voyages offer young people a truly unique and life changing opportunity. Over the course of a very intense week, living together in close proximity, they not only learn to sail, they learn leadership skills and how to work effectively as a team.

“This group have been a clear example of all that this programme aims to achieve in every participant. Our sea-staff, comprising both professionals and volunteers, understand how to get the best from each individual. This results in young people often being able to achieve things they never imagined they were capable of and changing their outlook on what the future could hold”.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “Investing in our young people is always money well spent and I am delighted that the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities programme is providing this valuable funding for worthy projects across Scotland.

“This Government is committed to ensuring young people reach their full potential. The vast majority of them are a credit to society but we want to prevent the small minority getting involved in crime or antisocial behaviour in the first place.

“Scotland’s unique CashBack for Communities programme invests monies seized from criminals back into our communities. Since 2008, we’ve committed £75 million community initiatives right across the country, improving lives and helping Scotland prosper.”

Over the past fifty years, Greenock-based OYT Scotland has grown to become one of the leading sail training charities in the world. With two sail training vessels, Alba Explorer and Alba Venturer, OYT Scotland completed 57 voyages with 569 young people in 2014.

For more information about OYT Scotland go to www.oytscotland.org.uk

For more information on the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities scheme go to www.cashbackforcommunities.org

Craigroyston praised at Holyrood!

Education Minister congratulates our local community high school

The fantastic improvement of education standards at Craigroyston Community High School was acknowledged this week by Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance MSP.

Ms Constance made her comments following questions from Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir – the school sits within Mr Keir’s constituency.

Craigroyston has seen a dramatic improvement in HMIE results as well as using innovative practices within the curriculum.

Colin Keir said: “The way Craigroyston Community High School has improved is a credit to the pupils, staff and the Headteacher Steve Ross. Partnership working, enthusiastic ideas and the will to get better results for the students is driving this school community forward and should be seen as a source of pride for the whole community”.

The parliamentary exchange:

School Leavers (Positive Destinations)

Colin Keir (Edinburgh Western) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that school leavers are given the best opportunity to go on to a positive destination. (S4O-04498)

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Angela Constance): As I said earlier, the proportion of young people who left school and who have sustained a positive destination has reached a record 91.7 per cent. Curriculum for excellence offers young people learning that promotes academic and vocational qualifications that are informed by the needs of our employers. “Developing the Young Workforce—Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy” sets out our aim to further the links between education and industry.

Our opportunities for all commitment ensures that an offer of further learning or training is in place for all young people until their 20th birthday. Young people are better supported than ever to make the most of the opportunities that are available to them. That includes better career information, advice and guidance so that they can make informed learning and career choices based on labour market demand.

Colin Keir: Does the cabinet secretary agree that the actions that have been taken at Craigroyston Community High School in my constituency, which has had a magnificent improvement in Education Scotland reports through enlightened changes to its curriculum as well as partnership with local businesses, should be seen as an excellent model for preparing students for life beyond school as well as a source of pride for the local community?

Angela Constance: Yes. I have visited Craigroyston Community High School on two occasions, the first of which was for the launch of the report of the commission for developing Scotland’s young workforce.

I congratulate the headteacher, staff and pupils of Craigroyston on the improvements that they have made.

Education Scotland has identified key strengths in the school, such as its co-ordinated and high-quality support for young people and their families and the shared vision that is securing positive destinations for young people. Those are key aspects of raising attainment. I know that the headteacher shared his curriculum model with other secondary headteachers at a national conference on Curriculum for Excellence earlier this year.

It’s MY boat, ma’am!

Duchess of Cornwall admires MYDG’s boat

The Duchess of Cornwall became one of the first people to see MYDG’s stunning new rowing boat when she visited Portobello’s Sailing and Kayaking Club on Tuesday. The boat is painted in MYDG’s own colours and HRH was very impressed – maybe it was the royal blue!

A small group of young people has been building the 22ft long traditional Scottish rowing boat with Muirhouse Youth Development Group since last Septmeber, spending two afternoons every week working with craftsman Nick Savage to build the boat from scratch. It’s been worth the hours of patience and effort – the end product is simply stunning.

The boat, which is a St Ayles skiff, left ‘dry dock’ in Craigroyston Community High School on Tuesday morning and made the journey – by land, on a trailer – to Portobello Promenade to be part of the sailing club’s event.

MYDG youth worker Ali Grant, explained: “The event is in fact to celebrate the achievements of Portobello Sailing and Kayaking Club (PSKC), of which I am a founding member. We have worked tirelessly for the last seven years to transform a piece of grassland into a thriving community hub. PSKC is entirely run by volunteers and supports several hundred adults and young people to gain access to the water through kayaking, sailing and rowing. It has regenerated the seafront and consequently, brought a community together. This is the reason for the royal visit.

“Having co-built two community boats already, it was always my wish for a group of young people to experience the thrill of taking a pile of flat wood and transforming this bit by bit, into a beautiful, curved boat and in turn, transforming their own lives.

“MYDG have always had an emphasis on outdoor activities and ‘journeys’ – whether that be geographical or personal journeys, so I saw an opportunity to blend my passion for boats and opportunities for young people with my day job as a Youth Worker. MYDG applied for funding to support a boat- building project and were fortunate enough to secure money from 3 sources, Awards for All, Creative Scotland and Edinburgh Airport Trust.

Ali went on: “Building a boat is an incredible test of patience and skill. The outcome of relentless and repetitive tasks only becomes apparent when you put the boat on the water and realise what you have achieved. It is a highly emotional moment and I expect all those involved to experience that emotion.

“We started the project in September, with three young people (CCHS pupils) and attendance has been phenomenal. Other young people have also given input to the project. As well as building the boat, young people have been getting out rowing and have taken part in various training courses. I am sure I speak for everyone in saying that the personal change in the young people concerned has been immense.

“The creation of a boat on the scale of the one we are building has also generated a great deal of excitement amongst other young people and members of the community and will be a tremendous resource for the area.

“Portobello Sailing and Kayaking Club have also received funding from Awards for All and Edinburgh Airport Trust and this is an opportunity to demonstrate the impact of that funding across communities. I also hope that boat building and rowing will begin to forge strong bonds between young people from Muirhouse, other parts of the city and indeed across Scotland. All these people were represented at Tuesday’s event.

“The boat is based on a traditional Scottish fishing boat. It is called a St Ayles skiff. It is 22 ft long and 6ft across. It will weigh approx 150kg when complete and will join a fleet of similar boats built in communities all across Scotland and indeed the world. The boat will be owned by the charity MYDG and will be rowed under the moniker, ‘North Edinburgh Rowing Club’. I cannot divulge the name of the boat yet – you will have to wait!”

“The boat was built in Craigroyston Community High School and we are indebted to Head Teacher Stephen Ross and this team for all their support in making this project happen.”

So congratulation to MYDG and in particular to boat builders Figo El Sherif and Fransisc Dorot and trainee rower Stanley McKay (above) -you really have created something to be proud of and we all look forward to seeing your craft on the water soon!

Craigroyston: Edinburgh’s most improved school!

92.8% of Craigroyston leavers move into training, further education or employment

It’s official: Craigroyston Community High School is the most improved school in the city! The local high school has shown a remarkable improvement and that’s down to a ‘can do’ partnership approach and sheer hard work.

The latest School Leavers Destination Returns figures just released by Skills Development Scotland reveal that of the 68 pupils who left Craigroyston, 63 (92.8 per cent) went on to positive destinations – that’s into work, training or further education. The figure compares favourably with last year’s figure of 79.5% – even someone with my basic arithmetic can work out that’s a great result!

Craigroyston head teacher Steve Ross believes that too many students fall out of education too early, and the school’s approach from S3 onwards is to offer a range of vocational options alongside the traditional core academic subjects. While some vocational choices are taught by Craigroyston staff others are delivered by Edinburgh College and a range of business partners.

This aim of this partnership approach is to provide students with a clear path to a job, an apprenticeship or a college course when it’s time to leave school. There’s sustained support for all students, ensuring that the young people are equipped with the skills – and the attitude – needed to hold down a job, college place or apprenticeship.

Understandably the whole school community is delighted with the latest results.

Deputy Head Karen Smart said: “We’re definitely on the rise, and I think that’s down to really good partnership working and a lot of hard work by everyone involved.

“There have been eight meetings with partnership agencies over the course of the year and these have been rigorous and really effective – every one has arrived with the right information, communication between the different partners has been excellent and we’ve worked closely together to ensure that the right person is there to provide support for the student when it’s needed.

“Our school is all about employability and acquiring appropriate skills throughout the curriculum, ensuring that pupils will be university, college or job-ready at the end of S6 and always with getting a job at the end. Our S1 pupils understand that they will be with us until the end of S6. These latest figures show that the approach we are taking is having a positive effect.”

Pupil Support Teacher Claire Stewart agrees. “Every student is very different and we’ve been working hard with every one of them to develop the skills they need to progress. We make sure that the support is there throughout: if we find gaps in provision, we fill them and, if it becomes clear that something isn’t working and a problem has arisen we’ve quickly addressed it. The students understand what we are trying to do and they are at the heart of the process – we’re working to achieve positive results together.”

S6 students James and Emma took part in a recent networking event involving the school and a wide range of businesses and organisations; a good opportunity to meet potential employers and find out what options are available when the time comes to decide on a career.

Both James and Emma have just finished their exams and now there’s the anxious wait for the exam results in August.

“It was a well-organised event and a lot of companies were there,”said James. “There’s a huge theme of employment at the school now and it means you are focused on thinking about plans for the future. I’m very interested in the performing arts and that’s a definite possibility for me, but I will keep my options open. Even if I did become a student, I would probably still be looking for part-time employment while I was studying so there’s a lot to consider.”

Emma said: “I’ve enjoyed the curriculum change, the more academic courses alongside free choice subjects. It’s a mix you don’t get at others schools and it’s a really good idea. Not everyone wants to go to university so this works well for most students. I think most students appreciate the change that’s happening at the school.”

The S4, S5 and S6s all work together, too – and it’s led to some healthy competition!

“It’s been noticeably different over the last couple of years, but it’s definitely a change for the better. It seemed a bit strange at first to be working with the older pupils, but you soon realise you are all on the same side,” Emma added. “As an S4 you get more responsibilities and working with the older pupils makes the transition smoother. It felt a bit strange when our last S6s left – some of those students were your role models. Then you realise that you are the seniors now – and younger pupils will be taking their lead from you!”

James recalled a chance encounter with one former pupil. “Some of the guys who left have really surprised me. A few days ago I bumped into one of the seniors who left last year, although I didn’t recognise him at first. He was dressed in a suit and tie and looked really, really smart – and I thought: good luck to you, mate, well done!”

Total Craigroyston was set up two years ago to improve outcomes for children and families in the neighbourhood around Craigroyston Community High School.

It does this by working to strengthen local public services, strengthening support for families and by building on the strength of the community through supporting local activities and initiatives.

Total Craigroyston manager Christine Mackay said: “These results are fantastic and are the result of good solid partnership working. Getting into work, training or more education after leaving school is really important to help young people have a good life and to be able to contribute to society. The school and all it’s partners work really hard together to make sure that all our youngsters take a good solid step into their future after leaving school.”

Use it ot lose it – adult education classes resume at Craigroyston

Craigroyston Classes poster April 2015

Our adult education classes at Craigroyston Community High School start back from 27 April and if we do not have enough numbers, the council will cancel classes, so please do encourage people to sign up -use it or lose it!

Also some Lone Parent Scotland cookery classes ongoing at the moment :

Cookery class at Craigroyston Community High School
67 Pennywell Road, Edinburgh EH4 4NL
Run by Lone Parent Scotland

Wednesday 15 April 10am-12.30pm
Making healthy burgers and coleslaw (ingredients all provided) for vegetarians and beef burgers

Thursday 16 April 10am -12.30pm
Making chocolate birthday cake (ingredients all provided)

All lone parents welcome with their children

Fiona Henderson

Listening to young people in North Edinburgh

North Neighbourhood Partnership is taking forward the Youth Talk initative as part of ‘Engaging Young People’ priority identified in both Inverleith and Forth Neighourhood Partnerships’ community plans. Youth Talk, originally developed in Liberton/Gilmerton where it was well-received, gives young people an opportunity to talk about facilities, activities and services in their local area.

It has now been launched in the Craigroyston Community High School, Royal High School and Broughton High School, where pupils were asked to vote/rate their local services. The results will be collated after the Easter break and the young people will then be gathered to map out their suggestions and discuss these in more detail.

It is intended that the outcome of the Youth Talk initiative will inform future service development and third sector commissioning. For more information contact info@totalcraigroyston.co.uk or scott.donkin@edinburgh.gov.uk

Grown-up debate: meeting to discuss cuts to adult education classes

Campaigners have organised a public meeting to oppose cuts to adult education classes at Craigoyston Community High School. Adult education has always been a key element of life at the local high school – indeed, it’s seen by many as the ‘community’ in ‘community high school’ – but budget cuts now see adult education classes under threat (writes Dave Pickering).

The meeting takes place at the school on Tuesday at 3.30pm.

An online petition at www.change.org has already attracted almost 200 signatures and campaigners now hope to broaden that support.

The change.org petition reads:

‘Day Time Adult Education classes are under threat across the City of Edinburgh. We at Craigroyston Community High School are campaigning to save our day time classes.

There has been a change in the way money raised through lets and classes is allocated. Rather than the money going to the school it will now go directly to The City of Edinburgh Council.

This undermines the incentive for schools to run Adult Day Time classes and this will have a profound impact on Adult Learners.

Please support our Campaign to save Adult Education Day Time classes not only at Craigroyston Community High School but city wide as well.’

Vanessa Cousins, who initiated the local campaign, said: “Thank you everyone for signing up to our campaign – the response has been really encouraging. I am also setting up a Facebook page called Adult Learners Unite and I hope that this and our public meeting at the school will highlight our concerns even more. It’s important that we get the message about as widely as possible – we are short of time as changes could be taking effect as soon as April.”

Dave Pickering

Cookery classes at Craigie

One Parent Families Scotland are planning cookery classes for single mums and dads and the kids at Craigroyston Community High School.

The classes will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (10am-12.30pm) from 7 – 16 April.

If you would like to improve your cooking skills while learning how to cook nutritious meals on a budget, contact Tom Carroll on 07814 078139 or email: tom.carroll@opfs.org.uk

More MVP training

I saw the NEN’s piece about the MVP (Mentors in Violence Prevention) training on 24 March at Pilton Community Health Project.

There is also a session for parents on

Monday 23 March

at 6pm in Craigroyston Community High School.

A couple of senior pupils from the school will help to take parents through the approach, which promotes positive relationships and gives young people the confidence and skills to challenge bullying, violent or anti-social behaviour.

It’s aimed at parents of older primary school children who will be trained in MVP when they start at Craigroyston or Broughton High School, and parents of High School children are also welcome.

The session shouldn’t take longer than an hour and a half, and child care is available if planned in advance. If anyone is interested they can book through me on the details below.

Sarah Neal

CLD Worker (Community Learning & Development & Total Craigroyston)
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Pilton Drive North. Tel: 0131 552 5700

Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) training

MVP Training

Tuesday 24 March 10am-1pm

Pilton Community Health Project

You might have seen the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) programme in the news last week, when the Justice Secretary Michael Matheson visited Craigroyston Community High School to find out more about the training for High School students, which has a proven track of promoting a positive climate and reducing bullying and other violent behaviour in both schools and communities (writes Rachel Farrier).

The minister’s visit was featured on the NEN’s blog on 5 March (‘Craigroyston initiative tackles bullying and violence’)

We are really fortunate to have this highly-acclaimed training going on in our area, and there is a one-off session which has been adapted for adults happening on 24 March 10am-1pm here at Pilton Community Health Project which you can still book a place for – but space is limited so please let Rachel at PCHP know ASAP if you would like to come along, and do let her know if you might need childcare.

It is open to anyone from the local community, as well as those working professionally in the area.

The training uses a ‘bystander approach’ which helps individuals to work out practical and viable responses when they encounter harassment, abuse or violence – both aimed at themselves and others. You can read more about the programme in Scotland here (scroll down the page to find out about MVP).

Call Rachel on 551 671 or email lih@pchp.org.uk to book a place.