In Turriff, only a tourist or recluse could fail to have heard about the new community school. Turriff NCS embraces the town and surrounding rural communities by comprising Turriff Academy, its 10 associated primary schools and the newly opened sports and recreation centre, as well as drawing on the schools’ well-established relationship with community education, social work and health officers, local businesses, associations and parents.
Integration manager Wilf Weir, formerly assistant head of Turriff Academy, says: “We have a history of working well together and I think that is testament to the strong partnership we have.
“Our focus is on the whole child and his or her development both in and out of school, from the pre-nursery stage right through to adulthood.”
Mr Weir’s team comprises a health promotions specialist, adolescent health adviser, family support worker, pupil support worker and a recently-appointed adult basic education worker, who through home visits will address the demand from parents wishing to improve their language and numeracy skills.
Another successful innovation has been a virtual careers conference for secondary school students, held earlier this month.
Judy Mackie
