Airdrie school's barista bar celebrates first anniversary - Daily Record

Calder Cups provides pupils in S3-S6 with a wide range of real-life experiences and skills, including procurement, social media marketing, customer service, and event management.

A barista bar at Airdrie's Caldervale High School brewed up a storm as it celebrated its first anniversary – marking a year of fun, employability training, and serving up top-notch coffee to pupils and staff.

Calder Cups provides pupils in S3-S6 with a wide range of real-life experiences and skills, including procurement, social media marketing, customer service, and event management.

More than 30 youngsters and 10 members of staff have now completed their barista training thanks to the initiative, explains Jenna Young, a depute head teacher at the school.

She added: "We’ve been blown away by the success of the Calder Cups project.

"It’s proven to be so popular among our pupils as it gives them hands-on experience of running a real business.

"Their work includes developing seasonal drinks, sourcing ingredients, and keeping on top of costs.

"We’ve even run competitions along the lines of the popular TV show The Apprentice , where pupils are challenged to design and promote the most profitable drink."

As part of the project’s launch, S5 pupil Naomi won the competition to name the café, while Lucy (S3) designed the winning logo.

The school has worked in partnership with Wishaw-based MIYO Brand to further develop the Calder Cups brand, which features prominently on wall displays, menus, and, of course, on the cups themselves.

Councillor Michael McBride, convener of education, children and families, praised the school for its success.

He said: "Everyone behind this initiative should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.

"The Calder Cups project provides pupils with so many opportunities and develops key skills such as resilience, entrepreneurship, and customer service.

"The project also won North Lanarkshire’s Enterprising School Award last year, and many of the pupils have achieved Saltire Awards for volunteering - well done to everyone involved."

Some pupils have secured part-time employment with local garden centres, cafés, and restaurants thanks to their barista training.

The school plans to build on its success and has applied to deliver SCQF Level 5 Barista Skills Qualifications, offering pupils an accredited pathway to the world of work.

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