NEW SUPER SCHOOL CAMPUS

As you will already know, plans for a new “super school”, are being finalised as we speak. There are many things that we would like to see in this new school which would make the campus a safe environment for pupils as well as staff. There are also some points we would like to discuss which in our opinion would have to change in order for the school to run smoothly. So without further ado let’s start with some of the things we think the new school should have.

We think the building itself would have to be very large if it were to meet the requirements of the merged senior schools. It would have to have lots of outdoor space for school activities and this would help keep pupils amused, healthy and happy. This could mean grassy areas for sports, good space for younger children to socialise and play and so on.

As well as, it should have big classrooms; crush areas, gym halls, working spaces and cafeterias.

Also, the new school should have a good car parking system in place to reduce the risk of injuries and keep pupils and staff safe. Children should be informed about road safety and with an organised car parking system pupils and staff will be very safe in the campus. The car park should also include easy access for disabled people and busses. This would mean disabled parking spaces nearer to the building and a designated area for school busses, taxis and other transport.

Furthermore, the whole campus should have easy access for disabled people. This means: widened doors, ramps installed, stair lifts/lifts, light switches closer to the ground, toilets downstairs and disabled toilets fitted with emergency buttons in case an accident occurs.

Next, special learning support and special working areas should be included to meet the needs of pupils with learning disabilities such as dyslexia. It would also be useful to have teachers who are qualified to teach and support these pupils throughout their entire education.

In addition to our last point, other departments within the school should be dedicated to meet the needs of other children who have more physical and mental disabilities such as: Down syndrome or Autism. Teachers should consider the following things to help these pupils:

• Setting clear classroom rules
• Helping to teach social skills and play skills
• Communicating clearly and giving children time to process information
• Creating a friendly environment (colourful classrooms, etc.)
• Support in the playground , including buddy systems and other interactive groups
• Lunchtime clubs and structured activities

As the new school will have children from nursery school age to seniors, the number of pupils and the age difference attending will increase bullying. The school would have to have a secure and safe anti-bullying system to help decrease bullying and all pupils must be informed regularly about the effects bullying has on others. More than 16,000 children are absent from school each day due to bullying.

62 million pounds is being spent on the construction of this new school, so it seems money isn’t much of a problem however would need to remain that way to insure compulsory items such as textbooks, stationary, foods, etc. are affordable.

As so much money is being spent on the new school, each department should be fully equipped in order to give pupils learning opportunities some schools would never get. For example: the music department should have a variety of instruments, recording equipment and other high-tech equipment; the art department should have plenty good quality art tools, materials and cameras for photography classes that will last a long time.

Cafeterias would have to have plenty tables and chairs to seat if not all then most pupils and they should have a line system to save pupils wasting their lunchtime standing in the queue. Food options should vary and there should be vegetarian and vegan options to suit pupil’s needs.

A vary of clubs and afterschool activities should be available to join to allow the pupils to do more of what they love. Whether that is playing football, basketball, painting, learning languages or journaling.

In conclusion, we think that the new super school should have lots of outdoor space, a safe car parking system, disabled access, special learning centres, an effective anti-bullying system, fully equipped departments, a vary of food options and easy cafeteria access and finally opportunities to join clubs, etc.

Lucy M., Sophie McM., Jy G.

East Ayrshire towns’ sporting opportunities inspires young people

In recent years, East Ayrshire has been given the tagline of a deprived area. Although there has been a notable lack of funding within one of the town’s inside this local authority, Cumnock there are still opportunities for the community, for example; in sport. Initiatives such as; School of Football (SFA/SoF) and Active Schools have encouraged people to be more involved.

After speaking to SFA School of Football coaches Jack Hannah and Keir Samson it is evident that the opportunities youngsters receive through this programme improves their abilities to perform better both on the pitch and in the classroom in their academic education.

Both coaches seemed extremely certain that their main priority is player development as they have a schedule for each period that they take a session, for example: on a Monday the pupils enter the School of Football classroom to receive a prepared presentation on various aspects such as nutrition, watch clips from the

top players and analyse how they play their own game or participate in activities like fantasy football. On a Tuesday, the coaches could prepare a session on passing. As a key skill in the game the coaches make sure that the pupils’ enjoy their training however are learning the skill. On a Wednesday the pupils don’t receive any sessions therefore they return to their academic classes. On a Thursday the pupils will work on attacking strategies like a 3v2 scenario or work on when entering the

final third of the pitch. On a Friday the pupils receive a double period and work on shooting for the first period then play different types of conditioned games for the second period. Both coaches agreed that it is important to make sure the pupils enjoy participating however their job is to develop their abilities. They said “It is important for them to play various types of games on a Friday so that they are consuming all that they have learned through the week into a game which will make them more confident when performing each aspect of the game.”

A scheme which is brought to the community through East Ayrshire Council is Active Schools. Active Schools is all about increasing participation and providing opportunities through sport. It is a scheme which is not funded and I caught up with one of the

ambassadors, Scott Guy, he informed me that he is increasing his network of volunteers, from teachers, students etc. and has to build a sustainable network of volunteers. The main aim of Active Schools is to give children an experience of different ports and if they enjoy it then Scott, or any of the other ambassadors will signpost them to a local or nearest club. Active Schools’ other main aims are participation, leadership, volunteering and employment opportunities. Scott gives 20+ sessions in schools every week. He has started a girls football community through the back of those sessions, as well as gymnastics and netball clubs so there is 130 girls participating at club level every week. Leadership opportunities are given for senior pupils which provides them with coach education courses for them and gives them opportunities at schools and in the wider community which gives them a really good chance for future employment. Jack Hannah and Keir Samson, as well as other former School of Football graduates who attended Cumnock Academy are classed as level 4 coaches and are employed by Kilmarnock FC and although they are receiving money for employment, they still choose to volunteer in the community. There is also a sports calendar where schools in the area compete competitively against one another. When asked how the School of Football develops kids, Scott said “School of Football is all about developing the person and giving them life lessons through sport, for example discipline and respect. Former SoF graduates have used these skills to achieve their employment.”