Posted: Monday 8 June 2009
Kilmarnock College set up behaviour taskforce
Kilmarnock College set up behaviour taskforce
Kilmarnock College has set up an innovative programme to promote positive behaviour amongst students and encourage them to become ambassadors for the college.
The Ambassadors Taskforce comprises of staff members and students who seek out role models amongst the student body and award ambassador badges to those who have shown exemplary behaviour. The Taskforce has also introduced monthly ‘Making a Difference Awards' which are given to students or members of staff who have made a difference to others within the College community. Since the introduction of the taskforce in January 2009, Kilmarnock College Principal and Ambassadors' Taskforce Chair, Heather Dunk, has already seen an overall improvement in student behaviour.
Principal Dunk said: "When I took up my post at the College in October last year, I was surprised by the high level of unacceptable behaviour reported across the College. The most constructive way to challenge this was to recognise and reward positive behaviour and so change the culture in the College. The Ambassador's Taskforce programme seemed an ideal way to instil an ethos of positive behaviour and individual responsibility amongst our students.
"Since its introduction, we have noticed a commendable improvement in behaviour and are keen to see how the programme develops over the next few months. It's great to see students and staff working together for the benefit of the College and I would like to thank all of those involved for their hard work."
The average age of a full time student in Kilmarnock College is 21, a much lower average age compared to the rest of the sector. The College is proud of the way it engages its learners and how it has both developed new courses and redesigned existing courses to meet the needs of young people.
One such course, the Winter Leavers' Programme is designed specifically for school pupils who are too young to leave school after fourth year, yet do not wish to stay on. To prevent them from dropping out of education, Kilmarnock College designed the full-time programme, in partnership with East Ayrshire Council. The programme is delivered between August and January in College, where the students work on a bespoke project which introduces them to a range of vocational courses on offer at the college, giving them the opportunity to sample options for future study. After completing her Winter Leavers' Programme in January 2008, 17 year old Cheryl Blackwood from Catrine now works as a volunteer with the schools groups within the college and is working towards the Prince's Trust Youth Steps qualification. She is also currently the Vice-Chair of the new Ambassadors' Taskforce.
Cheryl said: "I started the Winter Leavers course in August 2007. It was much better for me than going back to school. It gave me a lot more confidence and I really felt as if the lecturers had a lot more confidence in me too. Currently I'm studying the Prince's Trust Youth Steps course and I'm really enjoying it. I hope one day to gain employment in the social work sector so the Ambassadors' Taskforce is great experience for me. It was my team who encouraged me to get involved with the taskforce and I was given quite an active role as vice-chair. Since its introduction in January, I have already seen behavioural changes within college. Students are a lot more supportive and respectful of one another."
For further information on the courses available at Kilmarnock College please call 01563 523501 or visit www.kilmarnock.ac.uk