The Tractor Project

​Selkirk High School is on a mission to empower learners. Every one of them. So when Longnewton Farm provided the school with a 1960’s Massey Ferguson Tractor, a wonderful vision became a reality for a group of S3 students.

Dreamed up by Headteacher Jamie Bryson, the project is led by the school’s Outdoor Learning teacher and tractor enthusiast, Anna Johnson, and star parent volunteer and tractor engineer, Neil MacLennan....

The sponsorship of the Harris Trust has transformed the project: not only are all students and staff now kitted out with branded boiler suits and steel-capped boots (highly motivational!), the Trust is also funding a range of expenses including the services of Aegir Maciver who will begin a bespoke welding course for the students in September.

The Harris Trust is a really significant partner and support of Selkirk High School and the Primaries in the area. It supports a wide range of projects which aim to meet the needs of students who may not find success so easily in the traditional classroom.

Following publicity work from the group at the Highland Show, further support and donations have been received form local partners such as Irvine Plant Ltd who are delighted to see such an innovative project meeting the needs of students with a passion for agriculture, engineering and the outdoors.

The aim of the project is simply to make learning meaningful for the group- and it’s working. Attendance is 100%. It’s ‘fun maths’ said one group member during a session on imperial measurement! The students are on track to achieve a number of awards and qualifications including Youth Achievement Awards at Level 5 and SQA accreditation in both Welding and Fabrication and Landbased Engineering.

However, the real value of the project can be seen in the enthusiasm and commitment of the group, many for the first time really engaging with learning. As Anna Johnson says, ‘the project has given the group a feeling of ownership and they are clearly proud of their achievements’.

Students with more experience are going out of their way to encourage and support those who are not as experienced. There is laughter, banter and new friendships are forming. They are developing real confidence in their communication and teamwork- as well as in collaborative problem-solving - and the Selkirk High School values of compassion, courage and integrity are visible every session as they step out of their comfort zones, look after each other and make exciting progress towards a common goal: to drive the fully repaired tractor at the Yarrow Show 2025!