Foreword
The Schools of Ambition programme was announced in 2005, with the aim of bringing about a step change in ethos and performance of secondary schools in Scotland. The objective was not just to transform participating schools, but by sharing the emerging learning from the schools' activities and reflections, to provide inspiration for others.
Whilst the initiative began prior to the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence, many of the schools' interventions exemplify the creativity and innovation needed to change the way we organise learning for young people.
The Schools of Ambition Team have worked with 52 schools across Scotland. The first 21 schools to participate have now completed their supported journey of transformation, with seven others due to finish later this year (see Appendix 1 for list of schools). Many innovative and effective interventions are emerging, and the aim of this publication is to give a flavour of some of the very diverse initiatives and approaches undertaken by these schools. The first schools have also provided an account of their journey, called "Telling the Story", which detail the challenges, activities and reflections of their journey. If you want more details of the exemplars illustrated in this booklet you can read the fuller story published on the schools' websites accessed directly through the following LTS web-link, http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/schoolsofambition. Better still, get in touch with the schools directly and find out more.
We would like to thank all of the schools who have shared their journey through the exemplars illustrated in this booklet and in the fuller version of the "Telling the Story" documents. We hope the enthusiasm and dedication of many of the individuals involved, both pupils and teachers, will inspire others in their "Journey to Excellence".
Scottish Government Schools of Ambition Team