Background 

Ullapool High School is in Highland Council, situated in the village of Ullapool, at the seaward end of Lochbroom in Wester Ross. The school serves a delineated catchment area covering a large remote area. The majority of pupils live in Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintiles 3 and 4. Less than 10% are entitled to free school meals. However, families face challenges due to in-work poverty, fuel poverty and added costs associated with the remote rural location. 

Rationale 

A need to support young people to access school and community-based activities beyond the school day was identified jointly by the headteacher (HT), youth development worker (YDO) and a local councillor. Analysis identified that a barrier for over a third of the school roll was transport home, with approximately 40% living in remote rural areas.

A pupil survey showed that 59% of respondents identified a lack of transport as a barrier to participation in after school clubs, supported study and community activities. This can affect social isolation and mental health and can limit opportunities for wider achievements. 

Attainment Scotland Funding 

Funding received via the Highland Cares Project: £5,000 to £14,999 

What Highland Council did

Effective partnership working resulted in a successful bid to the Highland Cares Fund to pay for a bus driver. This has enabled more young people to participate in clubs or use of the Youth Space in the village to socialise and gain youth work awards beyond the school day. The bus is available, free of charge, on Mondays and Wednesdays. The councillor liaised with the LA to overcome challenges in relation to recruitment and transport contracts. 

Impact 

The impact of this intervention has enabled a group of young people to stay in the village after school to access a range of activities. The activities include; swim club, pipe band, supported study and access to the ‘Youth Space’ in the village.

This intervention enables participation in activities as well as time and space to socialise more with friends and to make new friends. It also breaks down barriers to participation and supports mental health and wellbeing through activities as well as peer connections.

The young people who use the late bus really value this as for some of them it would otherwise not be possible for them to do so. Young people value the extra time they can spend with peers and this reduces isolation, improves health and increases opportunities in the village.  

Parents also report that this makes a difference and enables their children to participate in a range of fun and social activities. Parents highlight the difference in mental health of their children, improving family life as well as connection and peer support available through participation in activities. These are not just fun but offer wider opportunities, accreditation, teamwork and communication through school and Community Learning and Development sectors.

Some parents cite the costs, time and impact on other family members that driving their child to/from after school activities had prior to the introduction of the late bus. They appreciate that this removes many barriers for them.