Tag: Forrester High School

New and upgraded sports facilities to get Edinburgh active

SPARTANS AND FORRESTER HIGH SCHOOL AMONG THE WINNERS

  • 36 community projects across Scotland benefitting from new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities 
  • Boost will improve accessibility and sustainability, through multisport, all-weather pitches, goalsposts, floodlights and community hubs – with 50% going to 30% most deprived communities in the UK
  • Announcement made as UK Culture Secretary visited East Kilbride United Community Sports Club
  • Move supports drive to break down barriers to opportunity, give families affordable ways to stay healthy, and deliver an NHS fit for the future 
  • Applications for £8.14 million of funding for Scotland to be distributed in 2026/27 to open

36 community projects across Scotland are benefitting from new all-weather pitches, extended playing hours through floodlighting, and modern changing facilities designed to welcome underserved groups like women and girls, in a new boost for grassroots sport facilities by the Government. 

Among those projects are The Spartans, who receive £132,996 towards an artificial grass pitch upgrade and £136,913 towards an artificial grass pitch upgrade, spectator and technical area installation for Forrester High School. 

The projects across the country have been awarded funding through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2025/26, with more beneficiaries to be announced soon. 

These new or refurbished facilities will give families low-cost options to stay active on their doorstep, helping when many are facing cost-of-living pressures. It will also open up opportunities to underserved groups like women and girls. At least half of all funding will go directly to the 30% most deprived communities in the UK. 

Sports clubs and organisations will also benefit from new goalposts, fencing and new changing pavilions – all of which help make sites more accessible and sustainable for local communities. To ensure broader participation beyond football, at least 40% of funded projects must have a multi-sport offer.

This approach will give more people access to a wider variety of sports and activities, such as rugby, cricket, and basketball.

Full details of all the 991 UK projects funded through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2025/26 at time of writing to date are attached and available on GOV.UK.

Today, the Government has also announced the allocations for the next £8.14million Scotland investment for 2026/27 for grassroots sports facilities, part of a £400 million boost launched by the Government in June 2025. 

The announcement was made as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy visited East Kilbride United Community Sports Club, who received £310,000 across 2024-26 for a new artificial pitch and changing pavilion at Kirktonholme. The upgraded facility now hosts women’s and girls’ teams, school PE lessons, and a walking football programme supporting men’s mental health. 

Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: “Scotland is a nation passionate about sports and it’s great to see how in the year that our men’s team returns to the football World Cup UK Government investment is benefiting local communities through new and upgraded sporting facilities at the likes of East Kilbride United.

“The UK Government is continuing to ensure communities the length and breadth of Scotland have access to quality pitches, changing pavilions, lighting, goalposts and other facilities essential for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.

“Grassroots sports are at the heart of Scotland’s communities and the UK Government is committed to helping local clubs – and the health and well-being of those who use them – flourish”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, said: “This is sport delivering for the nation. Every pound we invest in grassroots facilities is a pound that takes pressure off our NHS, supports mental and physical health, and opens doors for new community members to benefit from sport – like women and girls who’ve been shut out for too long.

“We’re supporting communities that have made do with run-down pitches and crumbling changing rooms for years. This government is turning that around – building the facilities that get people active, bring communities together, and nurture the next generation of sporting talent.”

Scottish FA President Mike Mulraney said: “We are grateful to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and partners for their continued support. This latest funding announcement will enable us to further invest in the infrastructure of our national sport, which I have made my number one priority as President.

“It will allow us to reinforce the Power of Football by increasing participation among all ages and abilities, and improving health and wellbeing as a result.

“The association has also committed to diverting profits to our Pitching In campaign and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships with the UK Government, Scottish Government, business and philanthropic communities and local authorities to transform our facilities estate.”

Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock visited Spartans at Ainslie Park today (Friday 30 January) and said: “This investment will make a real difference to communities across Scotland. Quality facilities are the foundation of grassroots sport – they’re places where children fall in love with the game, where communities thrive, and where people of all ages come together to stay active and healthy.

“It was brilliant to see what a difference it’s already made to Spartans FC’s facilities. By targeting funding at areas that need it most, we’re making sure everyone has the chance to benefit from sport, regardless of where they live or their background.”

Clubs and organisations are invited to apply for funding via:

pitching-in@scottishfa.co.uk 

Through new local sports facilities or critical upgrades to outdated facilities, the funding will deliver: 

  • New 3G grass pitches enabling year-round play regardless of weather
  • Upgraded changing pavilions with more appropriate changing facilities for women and girls
  • Floodlighting to extend playing hours into evenings and car parking for better accessibility
  • New goalposts, fencing and storage facilities to improve safety and access
  • Priority use time slots for women and girls teams at funded sites
  • Facilities that can host PE and school activities alongside community use
  • Sites that support health initiatives and community outreach programmes

The funding is designed to promote health, wellbeing and community cohesion, remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups (such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities), and support the Government’s Plan for Change by breaking down barriers to opportunity and delivering an NHS fit for the future.  

2026-27 funding:

Funding breakdown by nation:

  • England: £68.35 million (delivered through the Football Foundation)
  • Scotland: £8.14 million (delivered through the Scottish Football Association)
  • Wales: £5.735 million (delivered through the Cymru Football Foundation)
  • Northern Ireland: £2.775 million (delivered through the Irish Football Association)
  • Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis in England via the Football Foundation.
  • Application windows will open soon in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the relevant FA websites will be updated with more details.

The announcement is the latest part of a £400 million boost for grassroots sport facilities announced by the Government in June 2025. 

Taylor Wimpey teams up with Scottish Book Trust to bring magic of author visits to school children in Scotland

Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey has made a generous donation to Scottish Book Trust to fund author visits to school children in east Scotland.

For the second year running, Taylor Wimpey has announced during Book Week Scotland that they will fund ten Live Literature sessions for children at Scotland’s schools in the central belt, and five will be for schools in the east.

The Live Literature programme inspires a love of reading and writing and is delivered by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing. These sessions allow for a children’s author to visit a chosen school, bringing the magic of reading into the classroom.

The schools that benefited from Taylor Wimpey’s previous donation in the 2024-2025 Live Literature sessions were:

  • Lumphinnans Primary School in Fife, welcoming Natalie Russell, to help engage pupils in reading and writing.
  • Forrester High School in Edinburgh, inviting Alastair Chisholm to discuss the role of technology in his novels.
  • Dalkeith High School, holding workshops on creating graphic novels.
  • Glenlee Primary School in South Lanarkshire, welcoming Shelley Mack to promote the joy of reading.
  • Craigbank Primary School in South Lanarkshire, welcoming Vivien French, to encourage pupils to diversify their reading.
  • Eastertoun Primary School in West Lothian, holding sessions to support the school’s growing reading culture.
Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

Kirsty McGill, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the Scottish Book Trust for another year and contribute to the celebration of World Book Day 2026.

“By funding 10 author visits in February and March next year, we aim to inspire young readers and support Scottish Book Trust’s mission to bring the magic of books to life.

“This initiative aligns with our commitment to supporting the communities where we build, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on children across our local areas.”

Marc Lambert, CEO Scottish Book Trust, said: “We are grateful to the generosity of Taylor Wimpey who, for the second year, is supporting our Live Literature programme.

“Author visits to schools really inspire children to have a life-long love of reading and writing. There is such a demand for Live Literature sessions from organisations across Scotland that we can’t meet all our requests, so this support is very welcome indeed.

“We look forward to discovering which authors and illustrators will be visiting schools, and the creative and uplifting experiences they will bring to pupils.”

Applications for the Taylor Wimpey funded Live Literature sessions are now open and close on Friday 28 November.

Find out more at Scottish Book Trust.

Forrester librarian Julie wins Learning Professional Award

Julie Sutherland praised as “beating heart of school”

Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has announced today (Wednesday 25 May) that Julie Sutherland, Forrester High School Librarian has been recognised with the Learning Professional Award.

Julie has been praised by her colleagues for her unwavering enthusiasm and energy. In her role as Librarian, she has provided engaging and fun opportunities for all students, bridging both the attainment gap and the poverty gap.

The Learning Professional Award, now in its sixth year, recognises a teacher or librarian who has had a powerful impact on the reading culture of young people and adults in their community.

Julie Sutherland said: “I am absolutely thrilled to win the Learning Professional Award this year. It’s hard to imagine the effect you’ve had on a young person, but they are the ones that make my day. They challenge and invigorate me and there is no better way to start the day than chatting to a bunch of teenagers, and it’s thanks to them that I am receiving this award.

“No Librarian is an island, and everything I do is possible because I’m part of a team, working with pupils, teachers, and librarians from other schools. I can do the things I do in school because of that fantastic and supportive network and in my heart this award is for all of them.

“School Libraries and Librarians have been under threat from budget and job cuts across the UK for a long time, I hope that this award will illuminate the positive effect we can have on a young person’s life.

“It’s not just about developing literacy and a love for reading, it’s about the whole person and being there for every young person that needs your support.”

Lindsay Craik-Collins, Curricular Leader of English and Media at Forrester High School said: “Julie puts her heart and soul into everything that she does, with the pupils at the centre of all of her work. She is the beating heart of our school, reaching out to support all departments and areas within. 

“Her relationships, creativity and determination open millions of doors and experiences for our students and our school community would be lost without her.”

Julie has been recognised for her hard work to encourage pupils to read, designing competitions within and across year groups, which has been hugely successful.

These competitions also linked with National level qualifications, allowing students to have fun while learning. Julie was also involved with the school’s Accelerated Reader Programme, which supported teachers to track and assess the reading of students.

Julie also worked with Advanced Higher pupils and secured an Author in Residence to support them in their course work.

Feedback from pupils describe Forrester High School library as a “safe space” before and after school.

Julie has been commended for treating pupils as individuals and taking the time to get to know their barriers to learning, their personal situations and their personalities, so as to provide a better service for them.

Her library is open for so many clubs that she runs herself, including Film Club, Animation Club and Gaming Club.

Julie’s never-ending enthusiasm and personal interest in the young people of Forrester High School has helped students feel part of the bigger school picture and that their opinions and ideas are important and heard.

Julie also supports her colleagues, having built a mini library in the staff room, so that all those working in the school have access to books at any time.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Many congratulations to Julie Sutherland on winning this year’s Learning Professional Award. It was clear from her nomination that Julie has worked tirelessly to build a reading for pleasure culture in Forrester High School.

“She has also created a safe, comforting environment for many pupils who need a place to escape into a book. Our thanks to Browns Books for making this important award possible.”

Claire Smith, Sales Manager for Browns Books, said: ““Congratulations to Julie Sutherland on winning the prestigious Learning Professional award! With a supportive team, imagination and hard work, librarians like Julie, really do have the super-power to change young people’s lives for the better.

“Julie is a prime example of somebody works hard for the benefit of the young people she encounters and engagement with reading provides the foundations that allow young people to prosper and reach their goals. Well done from everyone at Browns Books, Julie. Keep up the excellent work!”

Run by national charity Scottish Book Trust, in partnership with Browns Books, the awardee will receive £500 worth of books to help continue their outstanding work.

Blind cricket match will challenge MSPs to find out what it’s like with sight loss

It’s just not cricket!

Except it is. Visually impaired cricket, played between a team of MSPs and journalists and people with varying degrees of sight loss at Forresters High School today. Continue reading Blind cricket match will challenge MSPs to find out what it’s like with sight loss