Douglas Academy is a non-denominational secondary school in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, with a vibrant community of over 1,000 pupils.
We pride ourselves on offering a broad, inclusive curriculum that allows every young person to explore subjects suited to their interests, strengths and aspirations.
Through stimulating learning and teaching, rich extra-curricular opportunities and strong partnerships with parents, carers and the wider community, we support our pupils to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. Central to this work is our growing engagement with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
We are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated staff team who work tirelessly to ensure our young people access meaningful, future-focused learning opportunities – and the SCQF has played a key role in strengthening this offer.
Taking the first steps on our SCQF journey
Our SCQF journey began in January 2024, when Donnie Wood delivered an introduction to the framework for our principal teachers and senior leadership team. This marked the start of a whole-school approach to better understanding qualifications, levels and learner pathways.
By October 2024, we had trained our first cohort of 20 S5 SCQF pupil ambassadors. These pupils were studying a diverse mix of qualifications, from traditional Qualifications Scotland National Courses to National Progression Awards (NPAs), and quickly became passionate advocates for sharing their experiences.
The ambassadors have since created resources to help pupils, staff, parents and carers better understand the different learning pathways available at Douglas Academy. They have also attended parents’ evenings, confidently explaining how SCQF levels support progression and wider achievement.
Watching our ambassadors grow in confidence has been inspiring. As Andrea, one of our S5 ambassadors, shared:
It’s been very rewarding. My people skills have never been better!
Heather added:
I have really developed my communication and teamwork skills being an SCQF ambassador this year.
Expanding opportunities across SCQF levels
Douglas Academy now offers qualifications across a wide range of SCQF levels, and we continue to explore new opportunities across departments. Recently, we have expanded our provision to include additional NPAs, Skills for Work (SfW) courses, and innovative programmes such as Outward Bound and the Daydream Believers Level 6 Award in Creative Thinking.
Our S5 elective period enables pupils to pursue wider achievement opportunities aligned to their interests. These include the Young STEM Leader Award at SCQF Levels 4, 5 and 6, and the Barista Award at SCQF Level 5.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can also gain recognition for skills developed through project-based awards such as:
Together, these opportunities help pupils recognise the value of their learning and achievements – both formal and informal.
Working with partners
Partnership working is a key strength of our SCQF approach. We collaborate with a range of external partners to provide real-world learning experiences and insight into growth sectors.
Our Skills for Work National 5 Energy class visits Whitelee Wind Farm, the UK’s largest onshore wind farm, each year. This experience helps pupils understand renewable energy, environmental impact and future career opportunities within Scotland’s energy sector.
We also work closely with City of Glasgow College, the University of Glasgow, and local restaurants and nurseries, giving pupils access to specialist facilities, industry expertise and valuable work-based learning.
Looking ahead: Our SCQF future
We are excited to continue our SCQF journey and are currently working towards becoming a Gold SCQF Ambassador School. At Douglas Academy, we work hard to ensure all our learners leave with positive destinations, and the SCQF is helping us open up even more doors for our young people.