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The motto of The Scout Association is ‘Be Prepared’ – and preparations have certainly been made for a primary school with a difference on the hills high above Paisley.

A partnership between the West Regional Scout Council and Paisley’s Kibble Education and Care Centre has led to a small primary school being created at the Scouts’ Lapwing Lodge Outdoor Centre, on the Gleniffer Braes.

Kibble has started educating children of primary school age for the first time and it’s hoped pupils will benefit from the countryside environment and being able to get some of their lessons outdoors.

The new day school in part of the Lapwing Lodge building will teach a small number of primary pupils who haven’t settled in a mainstream school.

Donald Gordon, who is chairman of the West Regional Scout Council stresses that Lapwing Lodge is not just for Cubs and Scouts, but is available for all community organisations, youth groups and even companies to hire.

Donald said: “Kibble have been using our outdoor facilities at Lapwing Lodge for a number of years and they asked us about setting up a primary school in part of the building.

“We agreed, as it fits in nicely with one of the principles of The Scout Association, which is to develop young people using outdoor activities.

“And there are plenty of outdoor activities available for the pupils here at Lapwing Lodge.

“We would like to encourage other organisations to use the facilities we have here at Lapwing Lodge. There are a wide range of groups and organisations already using Lapwing Lodge. But as we have such a great range of outdoor activities to offer along with a hostel for overnight stays, we hope to get even more people benefiting from Lapwing Lodge.”

Local authorities will refer pupils to be taught at Kibble’s new Lapwing Primary. Teachers there will be fully qualified with the added experience of having taught youngsters who are unable to cope with a mainstream school setting.

Kibble’s chief executive, Graham Bell said: “It’s the first time in Kibble’s history we have taught children of primary school age.

“We’d like to thank The Scout Association for helping us create a school in such a wonderful outdoor setting. It gives our pupils a fantastic opportunity to experience a whole host of outdoor activities, which can be integrated into their school curriculum.

“Our aim is to develop an educational facility in a therapeutic outdoor environment for younger children.”

Pictured: Left to right, Dr Joan Mackenzie, Kibble executive director; Graham Bell, Kibble chief executive; Donald Gordon, chairman of West Regional Scout Council; Renfrewshire Provost Anne Hall and teacher at Lapwing Primary, Tracie McEwan.

Staff and young people at Paisley’s Kibble Education and Care Centre have been waxing lyrical about raising money for charity.

So much so, chef Alex Dow and two of his trainees volunteered to have their legs waxed as part of the fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

A large number of staff gathered in the canteen for the coffee morning and to witness Alex, 49, and two Kibble pupils who are training in the kitchens for their SVQ Level 1 qualification – go through the pain barrier for a good cause.

The total raised on the day was £345 after the brave trio was sponsored to have their legs waxed and shaved by beauty therapist, Fiona Galbraith, from Paisley’s Kenneth Edward salon.

Alex said: “We wanted to do something that raised a bit more money than just having a coffee morning.

“With the boys coming up with the idea and volunteering, I really had to join in.

“I’m a bit averse to pain, so having my legs waxed is not something I would have done on a regular basis. But it was worth it to raise so much for a great charity.”

Budding screen actor, Daniel Portman, visited Kibble to work with pupils in the drama department and has been singing their praises.

Daniel Portman who stars in the hit television series, Game of Thrones, has been working with the young people on different drama projects, teaching them how to film scenes, putting together performances and practicing skills like improvisation.

Daniel who is from Glasgow said: “Working with the boys has been great. They’ve been really focused and responsive.  We’ve been introducing them to drama and showing them an alternative route where they can have a creative outlet.  The boys just went for it and were a joy to work with.”

Following a project called Killer Pool that looked at the experiences of young British soldiers who had fought in Afghanistan, the drama workshops have been looking at other issues that threaten the safety of young people in the UK such as gang warfare and drug dealing.

Daniel added: “It only took five minutes to win the boys over to drama. It’s amazing that’s all it took to introduce them to something new.  The boys get such a sense of accomplishment from drama. I at least hope it’s been the highlight of their week. But you never know, maybe some of the boys will want to pursue drama.”

Despite a busy filming schedule, Daniel came in to help after being asked by Gavin Sinclair, Kibble’s Creative Arts Development Officer.  Gavin was Daniel’s tutor while he studied for his HNC and HND in drama at Reid Kerr College and played a big part in Daniel’s success.  Daniel said: “Gavin took a risk and gave me the big part in the college’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and the whole play just blew people away.  He also gave me the part of Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet this year which was a real challenge as not many people get to do this at 20.  After all this, we’ve just become friends.”

Daniel has been acting professionally since the age of 16 and has appeared in productions such as River City and the recent comedy, Angels’ Share. He is currently playing the part of Podrick Payne in the HBO drama Game of Thrones, airing on Sky Atlantic. This medieval fantasy has attracted millions of viewers and earned hordes of dedicated fans.  On being asked about adjusting to working on such a popular and award-winning series, Daniel said:  “It was very weird. I’ve sank into it quite nicely though. My character wasn’t so prominent early on and because my character grows slowly, I’ve been able to get used to it.  It’s amazing. There’s not a day goes by where I don’t talk about it or get asked about it.”  He added: “I’d definitely like to come back to Kibble and keep working with the young people because it’s been great.”

Read the article on the Paisley Daily Express website