Calderglen High School

A canoe trip down the Clyde: S3 John Muir Award Masterclass

The canoe trip took place as the centre piece of an option within a series of master classes for all S3 students. Key features were:

• It was popular• Develops a range of life skills• Develops interest and skills in the outdoors• Vocational skills benefits• Low cost• Externally recognised qualification

The John Muir Award provided a structure for before, during and after the three day journey down the Clyde.

Learning to enjoy the outdoors

“Becoming a prefect is not like a new role. I’ve always helped out in school, the council and stuff like that. It’s more like giving back. I’ve had so many opportunities so its only fair to like help out.”

Calderglen High School student

The John Muir Award invites groups to:

• Discover a place• Explore it• Do something for it• Tell others about it

Leadership and teamwork experiences develop vocational and life skills

New experiences don’t have to be far away or high cost to be a complete contrast to everyday life.

Friendships made during the journey lasted for the rest of of their time in school.

Heading home

Many students taking part in this programme went on to take up leadership roles in the school including becoming prefects.

“Taking them out of their natural environment and doing things they would not normally have done gives a sense of achievement. They rally around to work together as a team. As a result they become much more focussed during their studies.”

Teacher, Calderglen High School

From the perspective of the staff the students:

• Gained in confidence• Maintained friendships made on the journey• Got more involved in subsequent master classes• Were more proactive and engaged at school• Became more responsible for themselves and others• In many cases took on leadership roles in school