What could we do?

As a result of these concerns being raised by the pupils and following on from the HMIE feedback, the AHT in charge of the Cumnock Campus, the AHT in charge of Guidance and the PT Guidance (Ethos and Liaison) held a meeting to plan a way forward. Apart from the physical barriers to participation in the full life of the school, the discussion threw up a number of other issues (emotional and attitudinal) which required to be addressed:

	Territorial differences
	Smaller school syndrome
	Transition tension (S4-S5)
	Attitudes to 'strangers'
	Residual anxiety about the merger itself

The school recognised that work had to be done in the following areas, in order to create one community:

	Pupil/pupil relationships
	Staff/pupil relationships
	Staff/staff relationships
	Parent/school relationships

It was also recognised that a number of objectives and the strategies for overtaking them had to be identified. The objectives were as follows:

	Pupils to feel part of one community
	Pupils to feel safe and confident on both campuses
	Pupils to share experiences
	Pupils to become more familiar with one another
	Pupils to meet challenges
	Pupils to work on team building
	Outside agencies to make an input
	Staff to have cross-campus/cross-curricular contact
	Parents to feel part of the community

A number of initiatives were identified and in the course of the last four and a half years the following strategies have been implemented for all of the school:

	Cross campus PSE days (focusing on assertiveness training)
	S5/6 Induction Days
	3 House system established, with Prefects, House Captains and School Captains installed
	Annual Burns Supper (hosted on the Cumnock Campus)
	Additional extra curricular activities and opportunities
	Annual Cumnock Concert and Show

Cross-Campus PSE Days

After the discussion, it was agreed that there should be a PSE programme insert designed to augment existing arrangements to promote effective integration. This programme covered a range of themes (Assertiveness Training, the Home, Bullying, Thinking about Drinking). In Stage 1, February 2000, the forty S3 and forty S4 pupils from Cumnock Campus were matched with the same number from the corresponding Kilmarnock Campus year groups. This allowed the Cumnock pupils not to feel swamped and promoted interaction. Eight small groups of no more than 25 were created, four each from S3 and S4. The sessions all took place within the Cumnock campus. Each group was led by Guidance Staff or other volunteer staff from each campus and Youth Information Project (YIP) and Community Education staff. Ample time was allowed for pupil participation, mixing and evaluation.

S3 had a follow-up morning, on this occasion on the Kilmarnock Campus, in May, using the same personnel. The focus for the activities was on team-building, problem-solving, thinking skills, confidence building and assertiveness. S4 participated in the S5/6 Induction Programme in June, building on the links that had been established during the February programme.

S1/2 sessions had a similar format to the Middle School programme but with a content that reflected the younger age group's interests and needs.

S5/6 Induction Days

S5/6 Induction Days take place in June, immediately after the SQA examination diet. As in many other schools these serve a number of important functions and address a diversity of issues: UCAS preparation, FE/employment applications, interview skills, developing CVs, awareness raising about the workload in Senior School, completing the Senior School Contract, negotiating the role of the Senior Pupil, appointment of Prefects/ School Captains procedures and Buddy training.

In addition, the programme has included for merging purposes:

	Team challenges in the Games Hall
	'Orienteering' sessions around the school
	Team challenges involving research and presentations

The Induction Days always end with a Social Occasion, an opportunity to' break bread' together and mingle, hopefully consolidating new friendships.

Evaluation

This programme has now run for three years, allowing students from both campuses to spend time on the other campus, to work in teams, to share learning experiences and to form new friendships. From the outset, external agencies have been involved, along with Guidance staff and other teaching staff, in delivering the programme: YIP World.com, East Ayrshire Training Officers and Community Police have been stalwarts throughout.

After each session, evaluations of the programme, its content and delivery are carried out by the staff and by the pupils involved. As a result of this some adjustments have been made, though the basic format remains. Evaluations have been overall positive - perhaps not surprisingly the more positive, enthusiastic comments come from the Cumnock Campus pupils.