School is awarded gold ambassador status
A North Ayrshire high school has been recognised for expanding its curriculum to offer pupils a wide range of flexible learning experiences.
St Matthew’s Academy, Saltcoats, has achieved the Gold Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) School Ambassador Award.
The SCQF is the qualifications framework for Scotland and is used to compare and understand the country’s wide range of qualifications.
The accolade acknowledges that Headteacher Stephen Colligan and his team have worked hard – with the support of senior pupils as ambassadors - to ensure pupils have a variety of opportunities, in addition to the standard set of qualifications on offer, to achieve their ambitions.
A combination of academic subjects, non-academic experiences, course and learning both in the school and outside of school are on offer to support pupils.
Quote: I am very proud that we have achieved gold status in the SCQF School Ambassador Award, and it is all thanks to the hard work of our staff and the pupils’ determination to weave their ambitions and interests into their education. Every child is different and we have made a concerted effort to ensure - where possible – they have an opportunity to get involved in things like STEM, apprenticeships, placements and volunteering. The programme is thoroughly embedded throughout our school, and information is provided through assemblies and classroom presentations to recruit new ambassadors for the coming academic year.
Quote from: Stephen Colligan, Headteacher at St Matthew's Academy
Examples of the opportunities available include:
- A May Activities Programme for pupils who are not sitting exams. This four-week block of activities and experiences is run with partners and outside agencies and leads to pupils getting Youth Achievement Awards, Young STEM Leader certifications and qualifications in well-being and leadership. Throughout the month, pupils work with different agencies and organisations including Street League, Morrison’s Construction, Seamill Hydro, the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) and many more to gain a raft of different experiences and to improve their skills
- External Partnerships that offer pupils opportunities to develop existing skills and acquire new ones. These partnerships also enable students to obtain additional qualifications that may enhance their prospects. This has included volunteering with at Doon the Beach café in Stevenston, Learning through Landscapes, Ardeer Golf Club and Gowanbank outdoor activity centre. Young people get the opportunity to learn about teamwork, communication and problem solving – helping them to gain qualifications in leadership and work towards awards in youth achievement and customer service and
- Raising Awareness with Parents/Carers. This ambassador-led project is promoted through parents’ evenings, social media and a dedicated SCQF display board with a QR code parents can scan to access the SCQF website for additional information. It includes the Powering Futures challenge – an SCQF level 6 accredited programme in partnership with employers that teaches pupils transferable skills employers look for such as teamwork, public speaking and communication.
Quote: The SCQF School Ambassador programme has been a real success at St Matthew’s, shining a light on the need for peer-led support when it comes to pupils considering the path they want to take in education and training. Congratulations to Stephen, his teaching staff and the ambassadors who work hard in the programme to support fellow pupils through the Framework.
Quote from: Councillor Shaun Macaulay, Cabinet member for Education and Young People
Pupils who are involved as Ambassadors in the school have had a very positive experience.
S6 pupil Olivia, 17, said: “I have a much better understanding of the different qualifications that can be studied”, while Eileen, also an S6 pupil who is 18, added: “I feel confident when discussing the wider qualifications and the pathways they can lead to.”
Published: 27 May 2025