Portree Primary School Shortlisted for Scottish Education Award
A Highland primary school has been shortlisted for an honour at the 2009 Scottish Education Awards. Portree Primary School has been selected as a finalist in the Best Enterprise category, after it was nominated by the island’s local radio station, Cullin FM.
The finalists have been selected by a specially selected panel of judges who will shortly visit the shortlisted schools as part of the final judging process. A winner from each category will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 16 June in Glasgow.
The “De an Diugh” business enterprise was created following a discussion between the Gaelic P6 and P7 pupils and their teacher at Portree Primary School. They identified a gap in the market for age-appropriate Gaelic resources for junior and pre-school age and decided to produce and sell their own song and dance DVD. Their enterprise ran for 14 months and has successfully sold approximately 400 DVDs, achieving a profit of approximately £3,000.
The pupils took a business-like approach to their enterprise. They researched products currently available, investigated what would engage young children and consulted with a local production company to explore the feasibility of their project. The project initially aimed to raise money towards a new school mini-bus but pupils decided wanted to also support a charity, so they produced a lyric booklet to accompany the DVD, with the profits from the sale going to Children in Need.
As the potential market for the DVD and booklet was wider than Skye, pupils extended their distribution network. To facilitate their mail-order process, they designed order forms to ensure efficient distribution including a refund and replace policy to ensure good customer service. The pupils hired professional camera operators, an editor, a choreographer, a music adviser and equipment. They arranged photography for the cover and secured the services of a publishing company to design the sleeve.
The film premiered at a local theatre where it was played to a packed house of invited guests.
Keith Brown, Minister for Schools and Skills, said: “It takes commitment and enthusiasm to make Scotland’s schools the successful and positive learning environments that they are. Pupils and staff at Portree Primary School should be very proud that their school has shortlisted for this year’s Scottish Education Awards, demonstrating the excellent work taking place.”
The Scottish Education Awards, now in their ninth year, recognise and reward best practice in Scottish classrooms and highlight the achievements of dedicated individuals who have helped young people fulfil their learning potential.
The awards showcase local schools and reward the hard work and commitment of all education staff in Scotland, including teachers, head teachers, learning assistants, administrators and janitors. The Scottish Education Awards are open to all publically funded schools, including secondary, primary, nursery and special schools.