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Appliance of Science: How Extra Classes Allow Star Pupils to Shine University Teams Up With Council to Nurture Talent

Posted on: Tuesday, 27 September 2005, 09:00 CDT

By STEPHEN STEWART

IT is an educational hothouse designed to nurture some of Scotland's cleverest children.

Each evening, while their less gifted schoolchums stay home, they return to the classroom to face the challenge of universitylevel studies.

Exceptional pupils from deprived communities in the east end of Glasgow are among those who have flourished on Scotland's first "conceptually difficult" series of advanced science courses, the first collaborative project of its kind between the city council and Glasgow University.

Lessons in chemistry, biology and physics are on offer to pupils who have excelled academically in the science subjects. The move comes after fears were raised that brighter children were being neglected in the nation's schools.

The scheme could spread across Scotland after several local authorities expressed an interest in developing similar initiatives.

Donna Ramsay, 16, from Hyndland Secondary School in Glasgow, said the course was a valuable stepping stone towards a university place.

She said: "The course is very challenging but also rewarding.

It is fascinating to see young people mixing together from so many diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds.

"It is a great benefit to everyone in developing their social skills as well as honing their academic abilities. The work we do is very hands-on and interactive.

"I am really enjoying it. It's a lot of hard work but it will be worth it as I want to study forensic and analytical chemistry at Strathclyde University."

Academics at Glasgow University found children were being held back at school because high levels of praise from teachers prevented gifted pupils from fulfiling their true potential. The experts also claimed that brighter youngsters were more negative about their experiences of education than children of lower ability.

According to the findings, teachers tended to judge children's ability on their performance in literacy and numeracy while virtually ignoring their aptitude for subjects such as music, languages and science.

The classes, which are held at the university's Boyd Orr building after school, involve first-year university-level practical and laboratory-based work.

David Lawson, the council's science adviser, said the initiative had raised the educational, social and aspirational standards of all of the young people involved.

He said: "This has really raised the aspirations of the pupils. It is interesting to see children from Garngad and Garthamlock rubbing shoulders with other kids from Jordanhill and other areas who have always wanted to go to university.

"They see the campus environment and think 'I can go to university too'. It is interesting tonote a fair amount of the pupils do not necessarily want to be scientists. Some of them are keen to go into accountancy or law but it would be great to think that some of them at least would end up as the next generation of scientists."

Steven Purcell, the council leader, said the project tied in with his agenda of widening employment and educational opportunities.

He said: "These exceptional pupils show that, regardless of where you live in the city, there should be no limit on ambition and success.

"I fundamentally believe that no child should be left behind in Glasgow. Academically-gifted pupils will be given every opportunity to excel, and for those who choose a more vocational route, training and learning opportunities will match the requirements for much needed trades."

Professor John Coggins, Glasgow University's vice-principal for biomedical and life sciences, said the classes were an "important and crucial connection" that should help make the transition to higher education less daunting for pupils with a passion for science.

He said: "I'm delighted to see such a wide range of Glasgow schools benefit from this experience, with the hope of encouraging more of them to study science at higher education level. For many of these pupils, this will be their first contact with the university.

Let's hope it is the start of a long and fruitful relationship."

Jim Coleman, deputy leader of the council and a councillor in the Easterhouse area in the city's east end, said: "We know that in Glasgow the number of children who leave school with no qualifications is appalling.

"If (this initiative) encourages children to go that extra mile rather than drop out and end up leaving school with very poor, or indeed, no qualifications, then it has to be welcomed."

Source: Herald, The; Glasgow (UK)

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