See our most recent Key Performance Indicators here
Recent Feedback from Clients:
As always all staff were extremely professional at all times - motivating the children and pushing them beyond their comfort zones to achieve things they never thought they would. We were impressed by the range of activities and experiences which lead to incidental learning in different curricular areas. The quantity, quality and variety of the food was excellent. Many have commented on it being “the best they ever tasted”
Staff of Methillhill PS, Jan 2011
We have had a fantastic week that the children will remember for a long time. The instructors built up excellent relationships with the children as individuals. They quickly indentified each individual’s strengths and weaknesses, and brought out the best in each. They were motivational and supportive at all times. We appreciated that they clearly took on board the comments and information we gave about individuals on arrival.
Class teachers of Canmore PS, Dec 2011
Relationships between Instructors and Children were excellent. The level of challenge offered to individual children was spot on! It was amazing how quickly instructors understood individual children’s needs and personalities.
Katrina Miller, HT, Touch PS, Nov 2011
All activities were appropriately challenging for all children. The structure and organisation of the programme was appropriate and the variety of activities were well organised for our group and needs.
Once again we have been impressed with the quality of all of the staff in the centre and the entire Ardroy experience. We’re looking forward to next year!
Katherine Easson, DHT, Torbain PS, Nov 2011
One area we thought was particularly successful was the focus on team work and PSD – as the same instructor stays with the group all week he/she can build up a very positive relationship with the children.
Jane Holmes, HT, Auchtermuchty Primary School, Nov 2011
Dear Ardroy Staff
I would just like to thank you all for the valuable experience that you gave all of our P7’s during our recent visit. I have only 14 of the P7’s, but since we have returned I have noticed a real difference in their attitude to each other and in most their ability to work as a team. Their confidence and self esteem has risen also, and are more willing to face new challenges. Can I thank the whole staff for making Claire and I feel really welcome and a part of the whole week.
Quoted from a 'Thank you' card from Pitteuchar West PS, May 11
The adventure days were super. The kids were challenged and continued to rise to the challenges set. The instructors were very flexible and altered the programme to meet the needs of their group, and ensured that all children achieved success everyday. The staff have been very supportive to the groups leaders needs too. Thank you to everyone who made this week so successful, pupils and staff have had a brilliant time. This opportunity has allowed staff to build stronger relationships with pupils.
Sharon Clark, DHT, Donibristle Primary School, June 2011
Quoted from a thank you letter sent to one of our instructors:
At Ardroy I have learned a lot about myself and my team mates. When you said we would be learning about our selfs I was a bit confused and was thinking “what is there to learn about myself? I am myself and know everything I need to know about myself”. You have changed my view and I have learned much more about me. Thank you
FT, Dysart Primary School, May 2011
Ardroy is an example of excellence in education, learning, and relationship building. It embodies all that Scottish Government and Local Authorities aspire to in terms of vision, aims, targets etc. You do the real thing here in Ardroy, and inspire, teach, share, model – all that ‘teachers and learners’ are meant to be doing and on a mini budget!
Lynn Strachan, HT, Arngask PS, May 2011
The ‘Lost at Sea’ skills and problem solving programme enhances the work we are able to cover in school. It challenges the children in an enjoyable way and teaches them valuable life skills. Pupils were encouraged and supported to go out of their comfort zone. Instructors were of an excellent professional standard - friendly and helpful, but set boundaries as well. The educational outcomes fitted exactly with the Curriculum for Excellence
St John Vianney PS, May 2011
We have thoroughly enjoyed everything we have done. Staff have been very inclusive and supportive to our needs. We enjoyed the pace of the day and the inclusion of ‘own time’ after meals/before the evening programme started. We felt “listened to” at Ardroy. Good luck for the future!
Hugh Kelly, Anniesland College SEN Group, Mar 2011
As always, the rapport that the instructors develop very quickly with the children is very successful. The positivity and encouragement shown is admirable and an example of excellent practise. All instructors are so passionate and committed to inspiring young people and absolutely dedicated to everything that Ardroy stands for – truly outstanding!
Fiona Cairns, Kelty PS, Mar 2011
All instructors have worked exceptionally well with the children. All children’s individual needs have been catered for. Excellent strategies for children with challenging behaviour – a few tips have been noted for use in school!
Park Road PS Feb 2011
I was extremely impressed by the way the different elements of both the programme and the daily routines were used to develop the children’s independence, their ability to take responsibility for their own care, and their awareness of their responsibilities towards others. “I have never wiped a table before”, said one child. I feel that my pupils have learned so much about eco issues and conservation this week. It is handled in a way which makes it relevant and meaningful to them and which is so much more liable to have a lasting impact on their lives and their learning.
This has been my first experience of Ardroy and it has been inspirational! For many of my pupils, this was their first time away from their home without their peers - a real rite of passage. As the week progressed, I have seen them grow as individuals, developing an awareness of the needs of others and their own ability to work cooperatively. They have developed an appreciation of their natural environment and have learned how to articulate their own emotional response to it. They are now beginning to understand how they can make a real contribution to conserving the environment. A master class in Curriculum for Excellence!
Thank you to all the instructors at Ardroy – this experience will have a lasting impact!
Fiona Simpson, Head Teacher, Auchtertool PS, Jan '11
We have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the “Lost at Sea” programme this year and have found the activities particularly successful in addressing the needs of our children, developing team-working skills and their personal and group responsibility. The instructors have supported and encouraged the children to stretch themselves and work outside their comfort zone and in doing so, have given them the chance to experience high levels of achievement, regardless of their academic ability. The skill they have developed at Ardroy will continue to have a positive impact on their learning and self esteem long after the visit has ended.
While the accommodation at Ardroy is “unpretentious” it is fit for purpose and in-keeping with the aims and ethos of the centre. If it were luxurious, it would impinge on the freedom the children have to manage themselves and take responsibility for their own surroundings – crucial life skill!
McLean PS, Jan'11
"The course, as a whole, was especially well organised – it was perfectly planned and executed, meaning no space was left for time wasting at all.
The children were kept busy and on task at all times and because of this allowed more time for learning and exploring. The children picked up invaluable life skills that cannot be offered within a school day."
Catriona Johnstone , Principal Teacher, Methill PS, Jan ‘11
(copied from an email sent after a recent course - names have been removed for reasons that will be obvious)
Could you please pass on my sincerest thanks to Elle and James for being so fantastically special to all the kids from xxxxx Primary School last week. I was going to offer them both my thanks before we left but did not want to embarrass them as I couldn't trust myself not to ' snoughter blubber and greet' all over them! Elle has left the children and myself with lasting memories and new experiences! In my line of work we do not always get the chance to share special times and memories with children due to the very complex circumstances children find themselves living with. The young people from the xxxxx group live in a regeneration area where there is high levels of multiple deprivation and generational unemployment, poor educational attainment, health issues, drug and alcohol use, significant adult suicide rate and parental incarceration…. and so the cycle continues for children and young people in these communities. This means that there are very few opportunities for children and families to experience and develop healthy happy lifestyles often leaving communities having lack of hope and faith for their children's future.
I believe that the Ardroy experience gives young people hope and the faith that they can achieve way above their expectations, make positive changes and develop lasting life skills which can be transferred into their adult years. Do you know that a lot of the children have never and may never leave or see any of the world outside their town or have a holiday? The children were in awe of the scenery, mountains and views at Ardroy.
It was only with the determination of the head teacher from xxxxx that the young people in most need were afforded the opportunity to go along with the rest of their peers as she did everything in her power to ensure all those wishing to, got to go. The group included young people requiring support to overcome disadvantage, learning and behavior support including physical disabilities and other conditions such as autism & aspergers and quite a significant number of looked after children. The head teacher made it happen for all of these children by working hard to encourage different services to work together.
I have been on many youth residential experiences but none as good as this one. The experience will stay with me all my life and the enthusiasm and passion of the instructors and from teachers from XXXXX, really inspired me. Elle and James gave the kids a truly amazing experience on the adventure walk under the waterfall and magic moment exercise. I was overwhelmed as the kids took in every word and sensory experience. Elle took great time and care to ensure the children enjoyed themselves at the same time as getting very important messages to them!
For me the week was true integrated working between services to make it special for all of the children.
I have felt compelled to cc this message to senior managers in education at Fife Council as I believe that this is a great example of what can be achieved to improve the quality of lives and outcomes for young people when different services and agencies are committed to working together for the benefit of ALL children, families and the communities that they serve..
Thank you for a brilliant week. My faith and inspiration is restored at a time when my enthusiasm has dipped so thank you and all the staff for a great time!
Hope to see you all again. X
Tracey Harley
“On behalf of Hugh, all our students and myself, a huge THANK YOU to all staff at Ardroy for our John Muir Course. Phil and Linda for organising timing and programme, and JJ and Andy for being such knowledgeable, patient and interesting instructors. We’ll be back!”
Carol Riddet, Anniesland College, Nov 2010
See a copy of a thank you letter and card we received from Rimbleton Primary School by clicking on the relevant word.
“Even in two days the improvement in confidence and communication between students was noticeable. All the instructors and staff were amazing. Incredibly professional and motivating for the students”
Dr Becky Lunn, University of Strathclyde Dept of Civil Engineering , October 2010
'Dear All,
I write to thank Ardroy staff for yet another tremendous week.
Each year I marvel as I watch children blossom before my eyes. The ‘Ardroy experience’ allows under-achievers to shine as they have never before. I witness children grow in confidence as they learn that they can do so much more than they think they can. I see them develop their ability to communicate and work with others and learn that they are resilient and determined individuals. I could go on and on and on ....!
If the decision-makers in education wish to see the Curriculum for Excellence in action, they should accompany a group of children to Ardroy. In the space of 5 days they will observe children become amazingly confident individuals, very responsible citizens, extremely effective contributors and truly successful learners.
I believe that Ardroy exposes children to an alternative way of life and fosters an understanding of the benefits of a healthy, outdoor lifestyle. It encourages a love and appreciation for the outstanding beauty of the countryside. It gives children the confidence to make informed choices about how they might live their lives in the short and long term. I know this to be true because I visited Ardroy as a child 40 years ago and the experiences I had there have helped to shape my life.
I feel privileged that I am allowed to take children to Ardroy each year. I hope that Fife children continue to enjoy this unique, life-changing experience for many years to come.
Keep up the excellent work!'
Eleanor Dunlop, Principal Teacher, Hill of Beath PS,October 2010
‘Ardroy is a tremendous and special place that will always be a fond memory from when I was a Kid never mind as a teacher. Ardroy will continue to develop many children – physically, mentally and emotionally for many years to come. You should all feel proud as an organisation, and as individuals, about what you achieve in such a short space and time to so many children. Keep up the great work guys – well done!’
Euan Mitchell, Teacher – Commercial PS - September/October 2010
‘I think towards the end of the week, most pupils had made some progress in working co-operatively in a group. Hopefully we can continue to build on this back at school. I am also very impressed with the way the instructors encouraged and motivated the pupils. I have learned a lot about managing pupils in a different way – more calm – than I can be! I enjoyed this week immensely.’
Cheryl Matthew, Teacher – Commercial PS - September/October 2010
'Just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time our group had at Ardroy. The level of engagement between instructors and pupils ensured that all have come back having learned a great deal about themselves and others. As you know I am a great believer in the "power" of Ardroy for moving pupils forward and developing their confidence. The fact that all are encouraged, challenged and supported is what makes the Ardroy experience far superior to any experience provided by other centres.'
Sarah Else, Head Teacher - Balmullo PS - September 2010
"A quick email to say a huge thank you for our in-service at North Queensferry today. Simon and Mark were absolutely fantastic and we are all inspired to take our learning out outdoors! It really has been a great day!"
Sally Hourston, Head Teacher - North Queensferry PS - June 2010