DUCT PARTNER SCHOOLS INITIATIVE LAUNCHES WITH KINGSPARK

Dundee United Community Trust (DUCT) is delighted to launch its Partner Schools Initiative in an innovative and ambitious plan with Kingspark School. 

The new project sees Kingspark unveiled as our flagship partner school and our Para-Sport Development Officer, Connor Moyes, will be based in the school part-time.  Connor will grow the number of opportunities for pupils to take part in curricular and extra-curricular sport, strengthen the link between school sport and community sport and support the transition of upper school pupils through our creative curricular enrichment activities (previously known as Tackling Schoolwork and Shoot Back in Time) and employability support. 

DUCT has been working with primary and secondary schools in Dundee and the surrounding area for over four years and receives many requests to support schools throughout the year with a rising number of one-off ad-hoc requests year on year.  The Partner Schools initiative allows the Trust to focus on developing strong partnerships with local schools and therefore maximise its limited resources to greatest effect by delivering longer-term recurring initiatives which become embedded in the day to day life of each school. 

Jamie Kirk, Chief Executive for the Trust, explains how this approach is working at Kingspark School, “While we’re really proud of the difference we’ve been making in schools over recent years in terms of helping to close the attainment gap, we wanted to take this part of our work to the next level.  Having Connor based in the school for part of the week gives us so many opportunities to make a tangible and long-lasting difference to the pupils in the areas of attainment, health, wellbeing and employability.  We’re really grateful for the vision and support of Kingspark Headmaster Paul Dow and the school for working so closely with us on this.” 

Chairperson for the Trust, David Dorward, added, “Dundee United Community Trust has over the last three years established an extensive programme of services within the local community, covering all ages, from nursery aged children to our elder citizens, but this partnership with Kingspark School is one that we are especially proud of and excited about. The enjoyment that the children get from our work within the school is really beyond our expectations. A fantastic collaboration and we are so grateful to Paul Dow and his staff for allowing us to work with the Kingspark pupils.”  

Paul Dow, Headteacher at Kingspark School commented, “The Partnership with Dundee United Community Trust offers the school a unique opportunity to enhance the learning and life experiences we offer to all our pupils. As DUFC is so embedded within the wider community, this partnership will further provide a greater chance for our pupils to be included and meaningfully engaged in community living. It is our aim that this partnership, like all positive relationships, will be something that impacts on our pupils’ life beyond the time at Kingspark.”

The Community Trust was delighted to celebrate the launch of this innovative partnership by presenting a co-branded flag to the school at a small, socially distanced event.

Further announcements on the 2020/2021 Partner Schools programme are coming soon but to find out more information please contact enquiries@dundeeunitedct.co.uk.