We work with businesses and schools to build capacity in language and employability skills.
School: Buckie Community High School Project: Getting to know local businesses Level: Gold Date: June 2023
Following a successful submission from Buckie Community High School last year, in this year’s submission their stated aim was to work across the school and with multiple businesses in order for pupils to gain a better idea of work opportunities on their doorstep and with Modern Languages. This was done in conjunction with the Moray DYW coordinator.
S1 had a fish demonstration from Jonathan Curtis from Associated Seafoods and worked on the topic of food to work in French and German too. Pupils learnt more about the company on their doorstep and the product that made the town so prosperous in the past. This will build into an interdisciplinary project next session.
S2 had a Careers Talk from Henry Angus, Sales manager ASF
S3 groups visited Johnston’s of Elgin where they had a mill tour and asked their brand ambassadors questions about languages and careers at Johnston’s. Pupils then produced information leaflets in the target language about the company on their return.
S4-6 visited Chivas where they completed a factory tour and an employee with a languages qualification spoke about Being an International Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal.
All Seniors experienced an interview with a local employer and learn about renewables in the North East. Pupils were able to learn about careers with languages in the vicinity. Pupils learnt that they do not necessarily need to leave Moray to earn well.
Following on from the success of last year’s Silver Award, Buckie High School has built on previous strong links between departments in school and between business partners which were the foundation of that submission. This year’s submission demonstrates a really strong expansion of that to cover more year groups, more partners and more languages. There is clear integration of employability through languages in all year groups, with really interesting plans for the development of further interdisciplinary work too. The verification team noted that another useful next step would be to build in different types of activities/engagement with local businesses.
Using real-life local partnerships and authentic contexts effectively is a real strength of this submission, giving a clear message to all learners that languages are useful in the local area as well as abroad.
We are delighted to award this submission a GOLD Scottish Languages Employability Award in recognition of strong and meaningful local partnership working through languages - congratulations!