Published: Thursday, 21st August, 2008 8:30am

Groundbreakers

EIGHT Musselburgh Grammar School students are the first in Scotland to take part in a new, adventurous education project designed to improve self-confidence.

The pilot scheme, entitled "C Project", gives 14 and 15-year-olds the chance to try challenging activities - such as abseiling, rock climbing, canoeing, cliff jumping, hiking, mountain biking, bushcraft and archery - at a range of locations both county-wide and nationally, in a bid to develop self-esteem.

Organisers chose Musselburgh Grammar School to test-run the scheme because of the enthusiasm of depute headteacher Ollie Bray.

The 14-month programme, transported to Scotland following successful beginnings in New Zealand - where more than 15,000 students have already taken part - has three stages: "wilderness adventure", "community challenge" and "C Project mentoring".

The first encourages youngsters to confront their fears through adreneline-fuelled pursuits, while the "community challenge" segment will educate students on what sporting, recreational and cultural facilities are available to them locally. Participants then learn goal-setting skills through 10 months of one-to-one mentoring sessions.

C Project co-ordinator, Michael Wilson, explained that pupils were chosen because they lacked confidence and not on the basis of their economic background.

However, on this occasion, due to time constraints, a group of Musselburgh pupils had been selected because of their availability over the summer break.

Pupils will graduate from the first stage of the programme tomorrow.