Buckie Community High School power ahead as partnership with renewable energy giants unveiled
A local secondary school and a major offshore renewable energy generator have joined forces in a dynamic new educational venture.
Buckie Community High School (BCHS) and Ocean Winds - whose brand new base in Buckie to service the under-construction Moray West offshore wind farm was recently declared open by First Minister John Swinney - have announced the collaboration to enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills.
It will see a series of innovative programmes and learning opportunities at the school that will prepare students for future careers in the growing renewable energy sector.
Ocean Winds will support BCHS in delivering key educational initiatives such as the STEM Leader 7 programme and continued participation in the First Lego League. This marks the second year that Ocean Winds is sponsoring the First Lego League, enabling all eight secondary schools in Moray to take part in this global robotics competition, which fosters problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking skills.
In addition, Ocean Winds has previously enabled Buckie High’s involvement in the EDT Challenger programme, which exposes students to real-world challenges in science and engineering. This partnership will also see the firm providing financial assistance, as well as integrating their expertise into the school curriculum, offering students valuable insights into renewable energy technologies.
Educational visits to Ocean Winds’ new state-of-the-art premises in Buckie will further enrich the learning experience.
Acting Rector Sean Duffy said “We are delighted to be working with Ocean Winds as we continue to build opportunities for our young people to develop knowledge and skills about the world of work.
“This unique opportunity will allow us to plan and lead on a number of curriculum innovations to ensure that we enhance the learning experiences across the STEM subjects areas. As a school we work to serve the needs of the community, and this partnership signifies long term prospects to achieve that goal.”
Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Moray, an organisation dedicated to developing the young workforce across the region, sees this partnership as a vital step in preparing students for the future.
"Ocean Winds’ involvement is a game-changer for Buckie High School and the wider community," said Jolene Young, DYW Moray School Co-ordinator at Buckie High.
"This partnership not only strengthens the school's STEM programmes but also aligns perfectly with our mission to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in industries that are shaping our future, such as renewable energy."
Ocean Winds is equally enthusiastic about the collaboration.
Craig Murphy, Operations and Maintenance Site Manager for Ocean Winds in Buckie, added: "As we begin to establish our long-term operations from our new base in Buckie we are delighted to form this link to the high school, a focal point for the community.
“We believe passionately in inspiring and equipping our young people for the many and varied careers in offshore wind. Supporting our local school is in natural alignment with existing programmes we support including STEM Leader 7, First Lego League and Challenger."
This partnership highlights the shared commitment of Buckie High School, Ocean Winds, and DYW Moray to fostering a sustainable future by investing in education and inspiring young people to pursue careers in renewable energy.
