SCOTTISH MINISTER for Schools and Skills Maureen Watt paid tribute to the “transformation” of Dundee’s Braeview Academy during a visit yesterday.

The minister visited the Whitfield school to see first hand the effect of the More Choices, More Chances strategy that has been ongoing at the school for almost two years.

After an introduction by the head teacher Brenda Hadcroft, Ms Watt toured the school viewing the facilities and meeting pupils participating in the MCMC pilots.

This included hairdressing, music and other classes.

“The head teacher has done a fine job with her senior management team here and should be congratulated for the turnaround,” Ms Watt said.

“I am sure it will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Speaking to The Courier at the school, Ms Watt also defended the SNP’s controversial decision, announced this week, to scrap the Schools of Ambition scheme.

Braeview Academy was one of 52 schools across the country guaranteed £100,000 annually for three years in return for meeting performance targets.

It was announced on Wednesday that funding would only continue to 2010 when the scheme—which was part of the More Choices, More Chances project—will be wound up.

“There was never meant to be money to continue the programme past that point,” Ms Watt said.

“This government wants all schools to be schools of ambition.”

Dundee was one of seven areas in Scotland to receive funding to deliver the MCMC programme, which aims to reduce the number of young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEETS).

It is estimated there are currently around 1300 Dundonians aged between 16 and 19 who fall into this category.

Former First Minister Jack McConnell announced the launch of the scheme during a visit to Braeview in June 2006.

He said too many Scots had been “left on the scrap heap” and needed help to turn their lives around.

At the time Dundee was identified as the third worst of the 32 Scots local authorities based on its total NEETS and other social and educational data.

City council administration leader Kevin Keenan, chief executive Alex Stephen and director of education Anne Wilson attended the presentation yesterday.