Craigroyston Community High School was one of the earliest YPI finals of the 2020/21 academic year. Students secured £3000 for Ferrywell Youth Projects in a digital event which was shared throughout the school and celebrated across their communications channels.

Acting Head Teacher Ian Porter explains why delivering YPI was vitally important for the school and wider community in this challenging year.

“There are so many pressing commitments in school, it becomes a need rather than a want to prioritise certain things. We must equip our young people with the skills to thrive in a future job market which does not yet exist and that is challenging. “However, values are constant. At Craigroyston Community High School our values are courage compassion, high expectations, and solidarity., and my practice as Acting Headteacher is built on kindness and respect. YPI encapsulates not only these values but also develops so many different skills within our young people. The fact that this combination then results in directly supporting a local charity at a particular time of need is why YPI is a priority for me as a school leader.

YPI encapsulates not only these values but also develops so many different skills within our young people. The fact that this combination then results in directly supporting a local charity at a particular time of need is why YPI is a priority for me as a school leader.

“This pandemic has shone a light on the already existing social inequalities. As a result, it has taken loved ones, destroyed families, and crippled our economy. It is communities like ours who will feel the full force of Covid-19. Compassion and solidarity are what will get us through. YPI enables our young people, staff, and the wider community to lead by example and provide hope and support for each other.

“YPI personifies citizenship. Our pupils have worked collegiately, some admittedly better than others, but all with a focus of trying to support their local community. All pupils wanted to win for their chosen charity. If they were not already personally connected, they soon became so.

“We are very lucky to have a committed team member leading YPI in our school, Mrs Hunter. You need someone with her determination and vision to complete the task. Not every school will have a Mrs Hunter, and therefore the underlying message is to be a finisher despite the challenges, and at that point all involved will reap the rewards.”

Watch Ian discuss his school’s commitment to YPI here.