Stromness Academy pupils on track for national final

A group of pupils at Stromness Academy have made the Scottish finals of a national initiative aimed at supporting young people in building their skills.

The On Track to Achieve programme sees groups of school pupils paired up with a top UK athlete in a bid to challenge themselves and increase their self-confidence.

This year, pupils were set the challenge of coming up with an idea, using science, technology, engineering or maths, that could help young people who feel physically or mentally isolated, bringing them out of isolation and making them feel part of the community.

The Stromness Academy group worked with British and European judo champion, Theo Spalding McIntosh, to come up with a website, app and platform game known as KONNECT, which stands for Knowledge, Opportunity, Neighbour, Network, Community and Technology.

The pupils presented their idea to a panel of judges at Pittodrie Stadium at a regional final on December 7, and were subsequently selected to attend the final in Edinburgh at the beginning of February.