Carrongrange High School has won a national award for excellence in enterprise activities.
The Grangemouth high school was named Most Enterprising in Scotland by Young Enterprise Scotland at Hampden Park at the end of May.
Pupils and staff celebrated after winning the award at the Festival of Youth Enterprise 2023, with Carrongrange’s Sweet Dreams team also picking up the Best Advert award.
The achievement was highlighted by local MSP Michelle Thomson, who raised a motion in the Scottish Parliament and gained cross-party support from parliamentary members.
Pictured: Carissa Neill with Carrongrange High School pupils and the Young Enterprise award
Elsewhere, there was further success for Falkirk as Fabby Finds from Grangemouth High School picked up the Best Presentation Award.
Enterprise activities
Carrongrange has placed enterprise activities at the heart of its curriculum, with learners developing communication, teamwork and numeracy and literacy skills through practical work.
Some pupils are supported in their own ventures – such as one learner who set up his own car wash business with the help of the school and the local police.
Opportunities exist for all, with the school’s ‘bacon roll Fridays’ and coffee cart proving extremely popular with staff.
Leading on the school’s enterprise programme is technical subject teacher Carissa Neill, supported teachers Shelley Procek and Mike Kneafsey.
Carissa Neill said:
“I’m passionate about enterprise, and I think we can achieve a lot of learning from it.
“We have more than thirty enterprising opportunities for learners at Carrongrange, and they develop many life skills from things like running coffee carts, or getting work experience in our local community.
“Enterprise is a huge part of the curriculum here, so I was keen for us to be recognised for that.”
Headteacher Janine Proudlock commented on the school’s award:
“I’m so proud of our staff and learners, and this award is testament to the efforts of everyone involved in enterprise activities at Carrongrange High School.
“We do things a little differently at Carrongrange, because our young people have differences we need to support. Enterprise activities help with that.”
“Enterprise activities help develop literacy and numeracy skills, and support our learners as they engage with the world around them.”
Councillor Iain Sinclair, Education portfolio holder, added:
“Being named the Most Enterprising School in Scotland is a brilliant achievement by the team of learners and staff at Carrongrange High School.
“This national award is a shining example of the abundance of talent and creativity at Carrongrange, and reflects the positive work going on right across our learning estate.
“A very proud moment for Carrongrange, Grangemouth and the wider Falkirk district! Congratulations.”
About Carrongrange High School
Carrongrange High School is a secondary school for pupils with moderate, severe and complex additional support needs. Purpose-built, it is situated in the centre of Grangemouth and opened in August 2017.
Pupils follow an adapted secondary curriculum, adjusted to meet the individual needs of the pupils. Learners are taught in classes with a maximum of 10 pupils, and are supported by skilled and experienced practitioners.
Health and wellbeing and life skills play an important part in preparing pupils for life after school, with enterprise activities playing a part.
Partnerships
The school works with many partners in the community to support its pupils and their learning journeys, and is always looking for businesses and organisations to provide learning opportunities for its pupils.
Interested parties should contact carrongrangeschool@falkirk.gov.uk for more information.