S1 – S6 Wider Achievement Progression 

Rationale
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In Paisley Grammar School our aim is for all young people to move on to the next phase of their learning with a range of skills, qualifications and experiences.

Curriculum - Broad General Education

​Junior Award Scheme for Schools (JASS Award) Each S1 and S2 pupil in Paisley Grammar School participates in and works towards the Junior Award Scheme for Schools (JASS) Silver (S1) and Gold (S2) Award. This award enhances the skills of our young people. JASS is a structured accredited learning programme. Each level requires four sections to be completed: My Interests (developing an interest or learning a new skill); Get Active, Stay Active (taking part in sport and physical activity); Me and My World (contributing to the local community); Adventure (outdoor activity and learning, including team work and problem solving). John Muir Award In S1 all pupils complete the John Muir Award as part of a Social Subjects unit on National Parks. The award helps pupils appreciate and value nature, urban greenspace and wild landscapes. Pupils develop skills in understanding our responsibility for wild places, personal development, healthy living through outdoor experiences and the environmental agenda – for individuals and organisations. S3 Wider Achievement Courses In S3 all learners choose three Wider Achievement options which aim to develop skills for learning, life and work. The Wider Achievement Options available this session are Travel and Tourism, Dance, Prince’s Trust, 3D Rapid Prototyping, Photography, Practical Cookery, Micro Tyco, School Production and Computer Games Development. All pupils receive a PGS Wider Achievement Participation Award for successfully completing each block and one pupil is nominated as ‘Star of the Block’.

Volunteering

We recognise the importance of our young people playing an active part in our school and local community. As such we offer a range of leadership experiences that allow learners to volunteer their time and contribute towards the wider life of the school and make a positive contribution to their local community. We also aim to recognise the varied and wide achievements our learners are involved in outside the formal curriculum. It is our aim to provide a planned programme with accreditation opportunities which ensures all of our young people leave Paisley Grammar School with Saltire Challenge, Approach and Ascent Level awards through contributing a minimum of 100 hours to school based and local volunteering opportunities and initiatives.

Curriculum - Senior Phase

​Access to Industry courses in S5/6 S5/6 pupils have the option to achieve accredited qualifications and skills for life, learning and work in our Access to Industry courses. Learners choose from a ‘bundle’ of qualifications designed to fit with the demands of our local labour market and further/higher education. Courses include: Education, Creative Look, Hospitality, Sports leader, coaching & PE performance, Football performance, coaching and refereeing, Personal Finance. Wider Achievement - Leadership At Paisley Grammar School, we believe that pupils should be given a wide range of opportunities to develop and practise leadership skills. In the classroom Engaging learners in conversations and decisions about teaching, learning and assessment, encouraging learners to develop and share their own opinions about issues and to engage in debate, discussion and analysis of those issues. In our school Leadership days, planning and leading assemblies, participating in the Pupil Forum and Parliament, electing fellow pupils to the role of Heads of School, Island Captains and prefects, members and participants in school processes such as staff recruitment, involving learners in mentoring, buddying and respect ambassador programmes, seeking learner views on aspects of the school through focus groups and questionnaires. Learners can also gain SCQF5/6 leadership, Saltire awards and the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award. In the community Supporting learners to develop and implement community projects, possibly in partnership with other agencies, to enhance and support learning – for example; Senior Citizens Christmas Tea Dance, litter picking and the Trussel Trust Foodbank collection. Some of the leadership opportunities available Head of School, Island Captain, Columba Leader, School Leader, Pupil Voice, Prefect, Respect Ambassador, Sports Leader, Buddy and MVP. Tracking & monitoring Information relating to the achievement of wider achievement is gathered via spreadsheet, through learner conversations, wider achievement surveys, refresh surveys at key points in the year, personal support learner conversations and pupil profiles.

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