Published on:
12
July 2018
Clackmannanshire has become the first Scottish local authority to have all our secondary schools as directly licensed centres to work in partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to offer the experience to our young people.
The last licence, for Lornhsill Academy, was presented by HRH The Earl of Wessex recently at a ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, joining Alloa and Alva Academies who became directly licensed centres earlier this year.
Alloa and Alva Academies have already increased the numbers of young people by 334% who take part in the programme, which gives 14-24 year olds the chance to participate in challenging activities and experiences to help prepare them for life and work. Lornshill will be carrying on that work, continuing to encourage participation in the programme, particularly for those young people who didn’t initially think it was for them.
Council Leader Ellen Forson joined Improving Outcomes Manager Lorraine Sanda to receive the licence from His Royal Highness. She said: “I was delighted to receive Lornshill’s licence, which marks this fantastic achievement of Clackmannanshire leading the way as the first local authority in Scotland to have direct licences for all our secondary schools.
“We are very ambitious for all our young people, and we want to raise attainment and ensure that high aspirations and positive outcomes are the expected norm for every child in Clackmannanshire. Taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an excellent way for our young people to learn the kind of skills that can help them be confident citizens who feel ready to take on the challenges that can face them in all aspects of life, and I’m delighted that more pupils are being encouraged to take part in our schools.”
Barry Fisher, Director for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Scotland, said: “We are excited that Clackmannanshire Council has partnered with us to directly licence all their secondary schools. This is a new way of working in Scotland and we are confident it will enable more young people from Clackmannanshire to take part in life-changing DofE programmes.
“By taking part in DofE programmes, young people in Clackmannanshire will gain the skills that we know employers are looking for in new recruits, including confidence, teamworking and resilience. We look forward to working with the schools and the council team to help more young people than ever before develop these skills by doing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.”