“Good morning. Welcome to Dunbar Grammar School.”
Seven simple words that are empowering, enthusing and engaging our young people.
The idea of having a student-led reception desk is one I have seen working in another local school, with great success. I saw the young people grow in confidence, in stature and in presence.
After Covid, I think our students felt slightly enfeebled. They had lost a certain spark and an air of confidence - their mojo, basically.
What better way to bring that back than by giving them some responsibility: both a leadership role and a chance to be the welcoming face of our school?
Supported by our parent fundraising committee, we have been able to buy a real-life reception desk and all the essentials needed.
S2 students volunteer in pairs to staff the reception desk on a rota. We hope that all S2 students will have at least one opportunity to take part in this “in-house work experience”.
We have three time slots in a day: before break, after break and after lunch, two or three periods each.
Registration teachers are supporting students to sign up in-house teams, with each house having a two-week window in the first instance. Accruing all-important house points is an added bonus for each participating student.
The role is designed to create independence and responsibility, to develop communication and teamwork. It’s amazing how seriously the first group of students have taken their role.
We are, through the reception desk, promoting self-esteem and confidence, as well as giving our young people a voice and a visible presence in our school.
The response from the students has been great - it’s wonderful to see how proud they are when they successfully sign in an important visitor.
Students have already embraced the responsibility and are showing a real sense of ownership, confidence and energy in being the first people visitors to our school will meet. They are fulfilling their role in a very professional manner.
Outstanding feedback
The feedback we have had from our visitors so far has been outstanding, far better than we had ever anticipated.
Visitors immediately see that we are an inclusive and welcoming school, that we value our young people.
As for the students, they are telling us it is fun, that they are learning without realising it at the time - and that it is a really great way of meeting different people.
Although this concept is relatively new for our school, we are hopeful it will become a permanent and growing feature. The uptake from students so far has been great - they are all really keen to get involved.
While the initial appeal might be to get out of class for a wee while, the reality is students are enjoying the responsibility and learning all-important skills for learning, life and work in the process.
We think the sky is the limit for our reception staff. Our school values are RISE - respect, inclusion, support and effort - and our reception staff are certainly rising to be their best on a daily basis.
Pam McIntosh is principal teacher of pupil support at Dunbar Grammar School, East Lothian
