ARBROATH ACADEMY was yesterday named as one of Scotland’s first Schools of Ambition by First Minister Jack McConnell.

Twenty secondary schools have been chosen and each one has committed to radical programmes of development to secure significantly improved outcomes for their children.

The schools will each receive substantial resources to meet their plans, plus possible further support from the private sector.

The schools are a mix of already high performing schools wanting to reach even higher, those that need to improve after poor inspection reports and those that recognise they can move their performance up several gears.

The money will be used by the schools to drive up their own performance and to help set new national standards of excellence.

Announcing the schools, Mr McConnell said, “Schools of Ambition are a major innovation at the head of our wider education reforms. They represent everything we want our schools to be about— aiming high, stretching, challenging and inspiring their pupils.

“Our schools need to have high expectations and ambitions for each and every one of our pupils, they need to offer every pupil the opportunity to recognise their talents and achieve their full potential.

“These, the first schools of ambition, have been chosen because they have demonstrated the vision and drive to transform themselves, to realise their own potential and to get the best for every child. Many are building on the enterprising approaches of Determined to Succeed, the highly successful enterprise education programme.”

Education Minister Peter Peacock said, “These first schools of ambition will help set new standards and demonstrate that their performance can be transformed or taken to even higher levels.

“The first 20 schools are now ready to begin their exciting transformation. We will continue to work with the other bidding schools with a view to bringing them on to the programme later and when their ideas and ambition is more fully developed. We will also invite other schools to put themselves forward in the future.

“This is a long-term commitment aiming to transform schools across the whole of Scotland.”

Angus Council’s education convener Jack Gibb said, “It is important to stress that all of our schools are schools of ambition. However we are delighted that Arbroath Academy has been included in this first tranche of schools to embark on this ground-breaking programme.

“It is good to see that the hard work of the staff has been recognised and this welcome additional support will allow us to take forward the range of initiatives outlined in the bid.

“It is disappointing that Brechin High School has not been included in this first round, but the feedback they will receive on their bid will in itself be helpful to them. But no matter how many schools actually go through the process all of our schools can learn from Arbroath Academy’s experience—indeed schools across the country will be able to learn from each other’s good practice as the programme develops.”

Dundee-based North-East Scotland Labour MSP Marlyn Glen welcomed the success of the city’s Braeview Academy in being named as a School of Ambition.

She noted that the school will use the performing arts to raise aspirations and achievement, and there will be opportunities for teachers to work with professional artists to enhance their skills and offer an enhanced curriculum to pupils.

Mrs Glen said, “Braeview Academy’s performing arts programme can be inspired by the city’s artistic strengths.

“Dundee is building a new reputation for dance through the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance at Dundee College as well as the Scottish Dance Theatre with its own £1 million studio at Dundee Rep.

She added, “The Schools of Ambition programme is an important change which seeks to raise achievement outwith educational certification.”