News
School Pupils Receive Extra Support From New Foundation Hub Officer
Thu 9th June 2022
Secondary school pupils will be offered a range of tailored support in relation to their school attainment and wellbeing thanks to a full-time Rangers Charity Foundation member of staff based in their school.
By launching the Foundation’s Hub in the Community programme at Whitehill Secondary School in Glasgow, Community Hub Officer, Jamie McMillan, will deliver a wide variety of programmes and provide a constant, familiar point of contact for staff, pupils and their families.
There is a strategic focus to support the school in raising attainment, increasing positive post school destinations, enhancing transition links from primary to secondary school and creating a universal impact in all areas and year groups (with a focus on broad general education) within the school, to help expand the young people’s full potential through education.
The success of the programme, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, has resulted in three Community Hub Officers based in schools throughout Glasgow, with Whitehill becoming school number four and plans in place to develop the project even further.
Rangers Charity Foundation Director, Connal Cochrane, said:
“The Foundation and school have been working hard to implement this project at Whitehill Secondary which will make a real difference to the lives of young people.
“The impact will see Jamie deliver initiatives such as one-to-one mentoring, groups sessions, qualifications, enhanced transition workshops and supporting the general health and wellbeing of pupils and families.
“We are really looking forward to seeing all the benefits this long-term investment will bring.”
Inspiration for the Hub was drawn from visits to the Manchester United Foundation, where Foundation staff witnessed its highly successful partner schools programme first-hand.
A Community Hub Officer is now based in Govan High School, Knightswood Secondary and Drumchapel High School thanks to the work of the Foundation’s Senior Community Executive, Jamie Duncanson and the wider Foundation team.
He worked closely with Whitehill Secondary School staff, including Deputy Head Teacher Leigh Anderson, which saw Jamie McMillan introduced into the school in June 2022. He said:
“Jamie will have a real impact in engaging a number of young people who were at risk of disengagement from school and require some additional curriculum support.
“He will be engaging with young people, families and the wider community to offer a friendly face and extra support to those who need it.”
Deputy Head Teacher Leigh Anderson, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Rangers Charity Foundation and welcome Jamie as the new Community Hub Officer here in Whitehill Secondary School.
“Jamie is a very welcome addition to our team and will play an important role in helping to enhance the support in place for some of our more vulnerable young people.”
Community Hub Officer, Jamie McMillan, said: “I am really looking forward to starting my new role and getting to know the pupils within the school.
“My aim will be to support disengaged young people and families by encouraging them to attend school and providing additional opportunities.”
Since launching in January 2018, the Rangers Charity Foundation Hub in the Community initiative has achieved the following:
- The launch of a Breakfast Club, attended by 20 S1 to S3 pupils, including those who are vulnerable and / or speak English as a second language
- A Mentoring and Pupil Buddy Programme, which offers students a SCQF Level 5 Volunteering Award
- The design of a learning project that incorporates P6 and P7 pupils and focuses on fun Maths, English and Sport sessions, to help with the transition process
- An Attendance League, which has created a healthy competition within the House Groups, with the winning House (32 pupils) posting an attendance stat of 97.9%
- Bespoke classes which help the pupils in relation to CV building, personal statements, completion of application forms and sourcing appropriate work experience exposure
- A weekly class for Enhanced Nurture Base pupils, who require additional support to increase their school curriculum. These sessions incorporate an SQA qualification.
- Creation of an Autism Unit with Hub Officers acting as a positive role model and helping with classwork
- Extra-curricular football coaching sessions, providing a platform which supports social skills, confidence and health and wellbeing within a structured and safe environment
