The DYW Tay Cities team were approached by the Channel 4 “4Schools Team” to consider the possibility of running a schools engagement programme consisting of Talks/Workshops/Q&A sessions with a school in the Tay Cities region. The aim of the programme would be to help inspire the students and bring awareness about Careers in the Creative Sector – and the TV & Film industry. Channel 4 had previously deployed this programme very successfully across many schools in England, and there was now a desire to bring the programme to Scottish schools. In discussions with the 4Schools team, it was also established that the ethos of the programme was such that any potential schools identified as possible participants, should come from areas of the highest depravation in the region. Therefore, the DYW team decided collectively that Braeview Academy would be a suitable candidate and subsequently it was offered the opportunity and gladly accepted.

One of the participants was actor and performer Brian Leys (currently a cast member on BBC Scotland’s “River City”), who was a former school pupil, which brought a greater degree of relatability and inspiration for the pupils, to see someone from both their area and school having entered the industry.

Feedback was sought from staff, senior management pupils and participants and was overwhelmingly positive from all concerned.

Over 160 young people participated in the event, and it was hoped that it would have a positive impact upon pupils picking appropriate subject choices for routes and pathways into the creative industries in the new year.