Ambition Award

Burnhouse School

Burnhouse is a School of Ambition, motivating vulnerable young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties to take responsibility for their own learning and education. Their ambitious journey began in 2004 with an HMIE report which challenged the school and authority to provide a stimulating, balanced and motivating curriculum for the young people which demanded improved behaviour and attainment.

Innovative and enterprising approaches to teaching and learning were required. They embarked on a transformational plan to bring together the school aspect of Burnhouse and the “Alternative Curriculum” which focused on vocational skills. The transformational plan was multi-faceted. Practice change, risk taking and exploration of alternative teaching and learning approaches were central to the plan. The evidence of aiming high for young people and staff has already been demonstrated by vastly increased attainment in national qualifications.

Staff have been creative and innovative in teaching and learning by being prepared to take risks in changing their practice, supporting each other across the service and working collaboratively. The ethos of the school has gone from one of containment to that of high expectations in behaviour and learning from young people and staff. The potential for Burnhouse is immense.

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