Dunoon Grammar School wins prestigious global award for community engagement

Dunoon Grammar has been crowned winner of the T4 Education World's Best School Prize for community collaboration in recognition of the work it has done both home and abroad over the last decade.

The winners, across five categories, were chosen by academics, educators, government and social leaders from across the world.

Nearly 50,000 people also had their say in a public vote.

Working with partners, the school's curriculum was adapted to provide 50 courses which reflect key sectors of the local economy such as tourism and maritime studies.

Pupils at the school also worked on delivering their own projects in the surrounding community, such as bingo nights for elderly people in nearby care homes during the Covid pandemic, and heading out to Malawi to help build schools and hospitals.

Desire to address the "brain drain"

Headteacher David Mitchell is telling Clyde 1 the award fills him with "so much pride" .

"There is just something special about Dunoon Grammar School," he said.

"All I want for every single child that comes into this building, as they leave here having achieved their potential and having had a good time. That's all I want.

"If every child leaves here with a positive memory, I've done my job."

Much of the work in achieving the award was spearheaded by Paul Gallanagh, principal teacher of computing and IT, whom Mr Mitchell said "deserves a lot of thanks".

"He has driven a huge amount of this and I would like to thank him for all of his hard work."

The school was recognised for its work in combating the problem of "brain drain" in its rural community.

"Dunoon Grammar has suffered from the brain drain, where the young people have had no real option but to pack up and leave the town," said Mr Gallanagh.

"As a school we very much wanted to address that."

The community of Dunoon, Mr Mitchell says, will be just as delighted with the award as those associated with the school

"Our vision statement has been about being at the heart of the community, striving together to achieve excellence," he said.

"We'll never rest on our laurels, never. We always want to improve the community. It just plays such an important role and I'm delighted that the community partners will be given that recognition."

Plans have already been made for the prize money of 50,000 US dollars (£44,000) with the school looking to purchase a mini-bus which would enable them to do more community outreach work.

"A lot of schools in Scotland are doing amazing things with their curriculum," Mr Mitchell said.

"But to be recognised for the work we're doing: it's just amazing.

"Young people, particularly just now, are given negative press.

"I think this just shows that, not just in Dunoon Grammar School, but across the country, there are young people who want to make a difference.

"This recognition is going to give them such a huge boost."

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