Senior Pupils complete NPLQ training

Diving into a new career path!

Working in partnership, Active Schools Aberdeenshire and Banff Academy were able to train 8 new lifeguards.

A project was developed and undertaken to train some Banff Academy’s senior pupils and ready them for the new career in the sports sector.

Senior pupils volunteered with Active Schools and in return received NPLQ training.

Skills

The training was also linked to Banff Academy’s School Leaver Profile Skills which include:

• Communication
• Resilience
• Confidence
• Problem-Solving
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Emotional Intelligence
• Digital Fluency
• Citizenship

Achievements

All senior pupils achieved each of the above School Leaver Profile Skills and much more. Whilst volunteering the senior pupils delivered Playleader Training and an after-school club at each of the eight network schools including Aberchirder, Banff, Bracoden, Fordyce, Macduff, Ordiquhill, Portsoy and Whitehills.

The senior pupils with the mentorship of the Active Schools Coordinator managed to achieve some fantastic results:

• 184 pupils across seven of the eight network schools received Playleaders Training
• 145 volunteer hours completed

• 106 distinct participants, equating to 9.4% of the Networks Primary School Roll
• 48 available sessions

• 382 pupil visits
• Eight after-school clubs through the Banff Network 

Feedback

Over terms 1 and 2 the senior pupils developed and grew as individuals. Some of their feedback gives a great insight into their many achievements.

What did you enjoy most?

• 'I liked the pool work as it was very interactive.'
• 'I liked the variety of the course (doing different things every week).'
• 'How it wasn't fully serious the whole time - we could have a laugh throughout.'

What did you like least?

• 'I least liked the day of the exam, was delighted when it was over.'
• 'I least liked the theory but that’s just me.'
• 'As it was once a week, it made it harder to remember absolutely everything'

What made you feel good about yourself?

• 'It’s made me feel good that now if there was a situation, even not just in the pool but in day-to-day life that now I have the skills that I would be able to help someone if they were in trouble.'
• 'It made me feel accomplished at the end and was very fun, wouldn’t change anything'
• 'When I managed to do practical work correctly'

What have you learned (about yourself)?

• 'I’ve learnt that I am capable of more than I thought, and I can work well and communicate as part of a team.'
• 'I've learned teamwork skills from this and hope to take this to a further level and get a job to do with the course.'
• 'That I can come out my comfort zone.'

Sign me up!

We hope to run the project again next Academic year and with some adjustments, 2023-2024 will be even bigger and better.

If you want to get involved or just want more information, please contact Active Schools via email at activeschools@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
All volunteers will be required to be enrolled through our Aberdeenshire Council’s volunteer policy and pre-enrolment checks.