Cockburnspath Parent Council: broadening borders for local pupils
The Cockburnspath Parent Council has secured funding from the Cockburnspath & Cove Community Fund to broaden the experiences of local pupils through outdoor learning, cultural access and library spaces projects.
Cockburnspath Parent Council (CPC) promotes close co-operation between staff and parents/carers of pupils at Cockburnspath Primary. The group works collaboratively with the school to support activities which enhance the education and well-being of pupils attending. The council's activities benefit the school community, building stronger connections between families, teachers, and the broader local community through enhanced educational opportunities.
The Challenge
Cockburnspath Primary has faced several interconnected challenges which were limiting pupils' educational experiences and development opportunities. A recent Education Scotland report highlighted the urgent need to improve attainment and provide targeted support for learning gaps in pupils' literacy, particularly affecting the school's pupils across composite classes P1-P3 and P4-7.
The school's rural location presented barriers to accessing cultural experiences, with poor public transport links making educational trips financially prohibitive for many families. Transport and admission costs created barriers to access to learning experiences beyond the classroom. Additionally, the absence of weather-appropriate clothing prevented consistent outdoor learning opportunities, particularly during Scotland's frequent poor weather conditions, limiting pupils' engagement with nature-based learning and partnerships with local groups like the Cockburnspath Allotment Association.
Finally, the school lacked a dedicated library space, with limited book resources stored only in individual classrooms, restricting pupils' choice in reading materials and opportunities for independent literacy development. These combined factors were creating gaps in educational provision that traditional curriculum delivery alone could not address.
Project Scope
The 'Broader Borders' project encompassed three interconnected aspects of extra-curricular and additional educational activities designed to enhance learning beyond core curriculum delivery. The initiative aimed to broaden horizons for all pupils while strengthening connections between the school and local community.
Outdoor Learning Enhancement: The project provided waterproof all-weather suits for every pupil, ensuring outdoor lessons could proceed regardless of weather conditions. This enabled consistent partnership activities with Cockburnspath Allotment Association, offering 'growing sessions' where pupils of all ages could engage in hands-on learning about food production and environmental stewardship.
Cultural Access Programme: Three educational trips were planned to provide pupils with interactive, out-of-classroom learning experiences. One trip to Glasgow Science Centre was designed to offer hands-on learning about climate issues through interactive displays focusing on renewable energy and conservation. Ensuring young people involvement, one venue was chosen by pupils themselves to encourage student voice and engagement.
Library Space Creation: The project established a dedicated library space in the school's currently unused third classroom, complete with furniture, books, and educational resources. This created additional opportunities for parent/carer volunteering within the school, offering small group or individual literacy support. Pupils were involved in both the design process and book selection, promoting ownership and engagement with reading opportunities.
Funding Application
Cockburnspath Parent Council submitted a funding request to the Cockburnspath & Cove Community Fund to cover the complete cost of waterproof all-weather suits, transport and admission costs for three educational trips, and furniture and resources for creating a dedicated library space.
Panel Consideration
The decision making Panel, made up of local residents with a deep knowledge of the area and a commitment to community enhancement, assessed the application, recognising the project's comprehensive approach to addressing educational disadvantage in a rural setting. Particular consideration was given to the evidence of community need, demonstrated through Education Scotland reporting on literacy gaps and the clear barriers to educational access faced by pupils in remote locations.
Award Decision
The Panel agreed to award the full requested amount of £8,862, recognising the potential for educational impact across the entire school community.
Final Thoughts - Broader Implications
The Cockburnspath Parent Council case study demonstrates the effectiveness of community-led decision-making in addressing areas for improvement in supporting rural school communities. The project's success illustrates how strategic partnership working between parent councils, schools, and local groups can maximise limited resources to create educational impact, which benefits the community longer term.
Read more about the Cockburnspath & Cove Community Fund.