News

As schools begin a phased return to the classroom, the Rangers Charity Foundation is very proud that our Community Hub Officers, alongside our partners, have continued to support students, teachers and parents both remotely and face to face (following COVID-19 protocols) at a challenging time for young people. 

Our Hub in the Community, launched in 2018 initially in Govan High School, has delivered fantastic value to the school and as a result was expanded to 3 schools during ‘lockdown’. Pupils are mentored and offered a range of tailored support in relation to their school attainment and wellbeing.

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Scott Smith took on the original role of the Govan High School Community Hub Officer in early 2018 and the programme was so successful that two other schools followed suit in 2020, with Ryan Tait and Mark McKinven taking on roles at Knightswood Secondary and Drumchapel High School respectively.

Scott Smith, Community Hub Officer for Govan High School said: 

“Thanks to our partnership with the Robertsons Trust, we have been able to continue to support local school pupils through socially-distanced delivery in and out of Govan High. This has included one to one support in school with apprenticeship and college applications, outdoor home visits for health and welfare purposes and different awards and programmes being delivered whilst in school and remotely.”

Likewise, at Knightwood Secondary School, Ryan Tait has continued to support young people who need it. Ryan said:

“We have been able to offer a number of opportunities to support each young person, including having a breakfast club and the offer of a free school meal. We also assist the young people with online class work as well as with their emotional and behavioural needs through engaging 1-2-1 sessions in the classroom or via socially distanced football support sessions on the pitch focusing on various aspects including team work, communication, respect and skill related fitness.

Another part of the role as Hub Officer in partnership with other school staff is to support the families of young people by offering a variety of support, including ‘No Questions Asked’ food stalls as well as delivering weekly online football and fitness challenges with prizes to help with engagement.

“We have prioritised continuing the employability programmes to make sure senior pupils who are looking to leave school in the summer are prepared. This has included running workshops on CV building and interview techniques as well as working on applications for college.”

Katy Anderson, Depute Head Teacher at Knightswood Secondary School commented:

 “Our Community Hub Officer, Ryan, has worked as part of a team of staff supporting a wide range of young people at Knightswood Secondary School. We have supported disengaged young people and families by encouraging them to attend school and providing additional opportunities and have supported S1 pupils as they transitioned from primary to secondary school.

“We have also provided discrete mentoring to many of the vulnerable S1 pupils. This has been particularly important during unprecedented times as a result of COVID 19.” 

“We have also developed family learning transition activities, digital family learning activities during lockdown and innovative approaches to family learning during current restrictions.”

At Drumchapel High School, Hub Officer Mark McKinven has been a key member of the team increasing the one to one support during the latest lockdown period. He said: 

“Pupils have been invited into the school if they wish to discuss anything that is on their mind or receive help with their current online learning. We have also had a small percentage of pupils still attending school and working from our School Hub.”

“In addition, Ally Harris (Glasgow Life) and I have teamed up to deliver the ‘Drumchapel High Family Quiz’ on a Wednesday evening over the last couple of months which has garnered some enthusiastic participation.

“Now that the pupils are due to return, I will be playing my role in a lot of outdoor learning in the weeks leading up to Easter. Plenty of Football Zumba for the 1st and 2nd years!”

Angela McCrorie, Deputy Head Teacher at Drumchapel added:

“ This second lockdown has been challenging for all sorts of reasons but has been made easier by the incredible work of our staff and partners. Because of our hub officer (and his colleagues) we have been able to offer 1-1 support to our young people who need it. Mark has been engaging with young people, families and our wider community to offer a friendly face, support and quiz prizes! As we transition back to full time education Mark is a key component of our transition planning as we focus on the wellbeing of our pupils on their return.

” There is no doubt that we would not have been able to provide the offer of service to our young people and families had we not the benefit of our hub officer.”