When Port Glasgow High School started their SCQF Ambassador journey, they didn’t hang around.
Within months, they’d gone straight to Silver status – a real testament to the effort put in by staff and pupils alike. Now they’ve got their sights set on Gold.
Here’s how they got there.
How it all started
It began in June 2025 when Donnie Wood from the SCQF Partnership came into the school to chat with staff and get everyone up to speed on the SCQF and what it could mean for young people. That initial conversation sparked something, and by May 2026 Port Glasgow High had been awarded their Silver SCQF Ambassador status.
Getting the word out
Once the school was on board, the next challenge was making sure pupils, parents and the wider community understood what the SCQF is – and why it matters.
Pupil Ambassadors took the lead on this, heading into classrooms across the school to talk to their peers directly. There’s something powerful about hearing it from another student rather than a teacher, and the Ambassadors did a great job breaking down what the Framework is, why it’s worth knowing about, and what learning programmes are being delivered at Port Glasgow High.
They didn’t stop at the classroom door either. Ambassadors supported the Options Fayre and parents’ nights to talk families through the different pathways available. This means that parents and carers are equipped with the knowledge and information they need to support their young person in making the right decisions for their future development.
The school has also been keeping their entire school community in the loop through their newsletter and social media, giving regular updates on progress and making sure the conversation keeps going beyond the school gates.
A broader curriculum
Alongside all the Ambassador work, Port Glasgow High has been quietly but steadily expanding what’s on offer for pupils. They now have NPA courses at both SCQF Levels 5 and 6, including programmes like SCQF level 6 Business with IT and SCQF Level 5 Energy, as well as life skills opportunities such as SCQF Level 6 First Aid Training.
These aren’t just boxes to tick. They’re courses with real practical value, linked to employment and further study, and designed to open doors for pupils who might not thrive in a traditional exam-only environment.
What pupils are saying
The proof, as always, is in what the young people themselves think:
Doing NPAs this year has helped me develop skills I can take to college and work.
I enjoyed doing courses like the first aid training. It will help make me employable.
And from a former pupil already putting it into practice:
I did an NPA that helped me develop transferable skills I now use at work and on my college course.
What’s next?
Port Glasgow High is already looking ahead to the 2026/27 school session with a clear goal: going for Gold. They’re actively recruiting more Pupil Ambassadors to help push things forward and keep building on the momentum they’ve already created.
An impressive start – and if the jump to Silver is anything to go by, Gold won’t be far off.
Useful links
Find out what schools are involved in the SCQF School Ambassador Recognition Programme