Award winning council

Find out what our award winning staff in Argyll and Bute have been doing.

Argyll and Bute boasts people to be proud of!

Every day Argyll and Bute council employees are working hard to deliver services that contribute to all aspects of our communities’ lives.

From our pupils and teachers to our communities and partners, we are working together to award winning standards!

Here is news on just some of our achievements.

2023

The council's £1.5 million Lochgilphead Front Green transformation project has received a gold award at the Scottish Design Awards in the public realm and landscaping category.

Keep Scotland Beautiful has awarded Hermitage Park in Helensburgh with Park Green Flag status for the fourth consecutive year.

Two teams from Dunoon Grammar teams won at the prestigious Apps for Goods UK Showcase – beating stiff competition from across Great Britain and Ireland.

Kilcreggan Primary School has become the fifth school in Argyll and Bute to receive gold accreditation in UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.

Lochdonhead Primary School is the regional winner of the 2023 Primary Awards for Green Education in Schools (PAGES).

Dunoon Grammar received the UK Community gong at the esteemed Education Business Awards, presented by four times Olympian Donna Fraser, OBE.

Argyll and Bute Council has joined a small number of councils in Scotland to achieve the nationally recognised Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) Award.

Easdale Primary School has received a silver Scottish Schools Sports Award, and a silver Health Award from Argyll and Bute Active Schools.

The council’s use of drones in delivering school meals has gained national recognition with the council now nominated for a COSLA Excellence Award, in the Service, Innovation and Improvement category.

Dunoon Grammar School Head Teacher, David Mitchell, is shortlisted for Head Teacher of the Year at the 2023 Scottish Education Awards.

Helensburgh Waterfront Development is shortlisted for the 2023 UK Planning Awards in the Best use of Sport in Placemaking category.

Partnership for Protecting and Enhancing Argyll’s Rainforest - A partnership project with Argyll and Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT), Scottish and Southern Electric (SSE), supported by Argyll and Bute Council and NatureScot is nominated in the 2023 UK Planning Awards.

The Council’s Catering and Cleaning Team are shortlisted for three national Facility Management Awards (ASSIST FM) in the Innovation and Community Focus categories.

Three council buildings and projects are shortlisted for the Argyll and Bute Sustainable Design Awards.

Lochgilphead Joint Campus excelled at this year’s Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, with the school’s A band being crowned the Quartets Champions, and the B band getting fourth place in the same section. Kintyre Schools Pipe Band also celebrated success, coming fourth in the Novice A section.

Pupils from Appletree Nursery, Gigha Primary and Rosneath Primary are among the winners of the Keep Scotland Beautiful 2023 Pocket Garden Design Competition, and will see their creations come to life.

Well done to pupils and staff at Gigha Primary School on receiving an Eco Schools Green Flag Award!

Dunoon Grammar School teacher Rachel Kellow won the Young Gaelic Ambassador Award at the National Gaelic

2022

Port Ellen Primary named Primary School of the Year.

Green project shortlisted for three different awards across the UK, including at the RSPB Nature Scotland Awards, the Scottish Green Energy Awards, and the national Utility Week Awards.

Dunoon Grammar crowned World’s Best School for Community Collaboration!

Staff and pupils at Kilcreggan Primary School received a Digital Schools Award for their work in embedding digital technology in teaching and learning.

Ulva Primary received gold accreditation in UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.

Dunoon Grammar School has made the top three schools in the running for T4 Education's World’s Best School in the Community Collaboration category.

Argyll and Bute Council’s schools catering service has received The Soil Associations’ Bronze Food for Life Served Here Award for the 10th year in a row.

Lochdonhead Primary School has received gold accreditation in UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.

Dunoon Grammar is in the running to become the World’s Best School after reaching the final 10 of The T4 Education World’s Best Schools Award for Community Collaboration.

Our Corporate Communications Team is In-house Team of the Year 2022, Scotland (PRCA - Public Relations and Communication Association)

Port Ellen Primary on Islay received a silver award in the Pearson National Teaching Awards for ‘Making a Difference - Primary School of the Year’.

The Council’s Early Years Team received the General Teaching Council Scotland’s Quality Mark after gaining an Excellence in Professional Learning Award from the organisation.

Three primary school head teachers from Argyll and Bute received top marks after completing Education Scotland’s national ‘In Headship’ qualification.

The council’s Community Food, and Sustainable Catering projects – both shortlisted for a Local Authority Service Award – Response to Covid 19 at this year’s ASSIST FM Conference 2022

Our Empty Homes Team picked up the highly sought after ‘Outstanding Team Award’ at this year’s Scottish Empty Homes Award.

Dunoon Grammar won the Gaelic Education Award at this year’s Scottish Education Awards.

Hermitage Academy received gold accreditation from Investors in People, making it the first school in Scotland to gain national recognition at bronze, silver and gold levels.

Argyll and Bute Council's Empty Homes Team picked up the highly sought after ‘Outstanding Team Award’ at this year’s Scottish Empty Homes Awards.

Hermitage Academy has become the first secondary school in Argyll and Bute to receive gold accreditation in UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.

Pupils from Sandbank Primary School’s Gaelic 5-7 class scooped Best Film Production in the under 12 category at this year’s prestigious FilmG Awards, while Islay High School’s entry won Best Film (Learners).

2021

Excellence in Education

Hermitage team wins SUBS in School Competition

A group of creative pupils from Hermitage Academy received a top award for their skills in building an underwater vehicle.

Top marks for Arinagour in national maths competition 

Pupils at Arinagour Primary are the best in the west when it comes to figures and formula, with the schools declared the winner of Sumdog's National Holiday Maths Contest.

Argyll and Bute Council fought off stiff competition from across the country to win the hotly contested Early Years and Childcare Development category at the 2021 Learning Places Scotland Awards.

Argyll and Bute Council’s education and property services teams have been shortlisted for two national Learning Places Scotland Awards for their work in delivering 1140 hours of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) to all three and four year olds, and eligible two year olds, in the area.

Building Healthy Communities

Pride of Scotland Award for Bute 

Congratulations to the people of Bute who recently won the TSH Community Heroes Award at the Pride of Scotland Awards.

Scotland’s most improved place

Campbeltown was named Scotland’s most improved place – following an extensive regeneration programme by Argyll and Bute Council’s Regeneration Services and our partners.

Soil Association Award

Well done to our Catering Services team for securing the Soil Association Award again this year for providing food in our schools that is healthy and uses seasonal ingredients that are at least 75% freshly prepared.

Customer Service Excellence

Building Standards secure Customer Service Excellence Standard for 8th Year!

Congratulations to the Building Standards Team who have been accredited with the Customer Excellence Standard for the 8th year in a row. The team were the first in the council to achieve the Standard in 2013 and this year the independent assessor said they met the standard across all 57 of the scoring criteria. He then awarded them the highest Compliance+ mark in 20 of those criteria; two more than last time in recognition of the excellent work done to help customers throughout the pandemic. A great result for the team.

Customer Support Services, Building Standards and Legal and Regulatory Support have all achieved the Customer Service Excellence standard this year.

2020

Excellence in Education

Dunoon Grammar wins UK awards for fourth year running

Congratulations to a group of pupils from Dunoon Grammar who have won at the Apps for Good UK Awards 2020.

Dunoon pupils selected for national recovery panel 

Three pupils from Dunoon Grammar have been selected to join the Education Recovery Youth Panel run by Young Scot and Children in Scotland.

Helensburgh's Hermitage Primary School received prestigious UNICEF UK Gold Award 

Hermitage Primary School in Helensburgh is the first school in Argyll and Bute to be awarded the Gold by UNICEF's UK's Rights Respecting School Programme.

Three Argyll finalists in Scottish Education Awards

Congratulations to three members of our Education staff, who were finalists in the 2020 Education Awards. The awards were cancelled due to COVID-19.

Ulva Primary wins gold for Argyll and Bute

Ulva Primary School on the Isle of Mull has been awarded a gold award by the Woodland Trust for taking an active role in green activities on the island.

Kilcreggan Primary awarded prestigious UNICEF Award

Congratulations to Kilcreggan Primary School who has been awarded the prestigious Silver Rights Respecting School Award by UNICEF.

Mull schools are awarded prestigious UNICEF Award 

Congratulations to Lochdonhead and Ulva Primary Schools, who have been awarded the prestigious Silver Rights Respecting School Award by UNICEF.

Argyll and Bute awards recognise youth achievements

Achievements of young people recognised at 2020 Argyll and Bute Youth Awards.

Building Healthy Communities

Green Flag Award for Hermitage Park

Hermitage Park in Helensburgh joins the best parks and greens in Scotland after achieving Green Flag status from Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Regeneration

Campbeltown shortlisted for Scotland's most important place

Campbeltown is shortlisted in the 2020 SURF Awards for Scotland's most improved place.

2019

Professional Development

COSLA award for council's work with refugees

Congratulations to council officers who's work in supporting refugees into employment has won a prestigious award at the 2019 COSLA Excellent Award.

Council’s Communications Team 

Runner up in-house team of the year (Scotland) 2019 - PRCA – and shortlisted in another two award categories.

Council's IT Team is the best in the UK

Congratulations to the council's IT Team who have been recognised by SOCITM as the best in the UK, due to performance and low cost.

Abbie Macalister scoops up two CIPFA awards

The Archie Gillespie Memorial Prize as the top scoring Scottish student employed in local government, in the CIPFA Final Examinations; and the award for getting the highest mark in Scotland in the Business Change Management exam. Abbie is now a fully qualified accountant.

Ray and Jacob reached final three

Two of our cleaners, Ray and Jacob Hallett have been shortlisted for a national award - Cleaning Team of the Year at the ASSIST FM annual awards.

Excellence in Education

Dunoon Grammar is the UK's European Entrepreneurial School of the Year

Dunoon Grammar has been crowned the UK's European Entrepreneurial School of the Year at a prestigious ceremony in Helsinki. The European Entrepreneurial School Awards recognise outstanding schools that are championing entrepreneurship in education across Scotland.

Argyll and Bute ranked sixth in Scotland for positive destinations 

Argyll and Bute has been ranked the sixth top local authority in Scotland for positive destinations of young people. Skills Development Scotland figures show that 94.8% of 16 to 19 year olds in Argyll and Bute are in employment, education or training.

Dunoon's Khiara wins national award for making a stand against racism

A talented young artist from Dunoon Grammar School has won a national award for a piece of artwork she created to make a stand against racism.

S1 pupil Khiara Dominick fought off stiff competition from thousands of entries across Scotland to win the S1-3 category in Show Racism the Red Card’s annual creative competition.

Hermitage 'Hermibots' qualify for UK robotics final

A talented team of pupils from Hermitage Academy have made it through to the UK finals of the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge.

National Apps for Good hat-trick for Dunoon Grammar pupils

A group of pupils from Dunoon Grammar have scooped the top prize in a national competition for the third year running.

The business and computing pupils beat off stiff competition from across Scotland when they won the Apps for Good Scotland event again, with a further two teams from Dunoon Grammar also sharing third prize.

Mull student gains industry recognised qualification

An S3 pupil from Tobermory High School has become the first student in Argyll and Bute to achieve an industry recognised qualification that’s aimed specifically at teaching staff.

Jakub Marzec is one of a number of pupils at the school using Google’s G Suite to develop their digital skills, but the youngster has done so well that he’s gone on to gain Level 1 Google Certified Educator status in process.

Subway stores will make sandwiches created by Dunoon Grammar pupils

A team of budding young entrepreneurs from Dunoon Grammar School will see a tasty sandwich they created being sold in over 100 fast food stores across the West of Scotland, after winning a national competition organised by Subway.

Hermitage becomes first school in Scotland to gain Investors in Young People

Hermitage Academy has become the first school in Scotland to gain national accreditation with Investors in Young People. 

This accreditation framework recognises organisations that are committed to recruiting, retaining and developing their young workforce; it acknowledges them as an employer of choice, providing practices that have positive outcomes for young people.

Innovation

Two projects shortlisted for prestigious Quality Improvement Awards

Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland has been shortlisted for Achieving Results at Scale Award and the Argyll and BUte GIRFEC/Quality Improvement Group is up for the Team Award for its approach to Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC).

2018

Professional Development

Argyll and Bute Empty Homes officer scoops prestigious award

Empty Homes Officer Kelly Ferns has been named Outstanding Individual at the Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champions of the Year Awards for her commitment and dedication to empty homes work

Talent Management team picks up S1 jobs award

The council’s HR and OD team won the award for best Apprenticeship/Graduate scheme at S1 Job Awards.

Council’s Community Outreach Worker used as an exemplar across the country

Heather Tierney, Community Outreach Worker in the Telecare team – following an external verification visit from SQA, the assessors said that Heather Tierney’s work was excellent and can be used as an exemplar. Heather’s work will be used as an example of good practice across the country for those studying Telehealth care.

Council’s website achieves top ranking in SOCITM Better Connected survey

The council’s website achieves a four star status in this year’s SOCITM Better Connected survey. The annual survey tests local authority websites for ease of use as well as accessibility for those with disabilities. Only 39 local authorities across the UK achieve a four star status, out of a total of 418 councils.

Council’s Communications Team nominated for In-House Team of the Year

The council’s Communications Team was runner-up in the PRCA Awards for In-House Team of the Year.

Council's Empty Homes Officer shortlisted for two prestigious awards

The council's Empty Homes Officer, Kelly Ferns, is a finalist in both the Outstanding Individual and Best Before and After Photography categories at the Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champions of the Year Awards.

Excellence in Education

Kirn Primary School in Dunoon was highly commended at this year's annual Glasgow Institute of Architects Awards (GIA)

The school was shortlisted for the coveted Supreme Award, alongside some of the best education projects from throughout Scotland, but narrowly missed out to Broomlands Primary School in Kelso.

Pupils celebrate exam success

School pupils in Argyll and Bute celebrate exam success with 100% of National 3 and 4 students passing and more Higher and Advanced Higher pupils achieving pass marks than last year.

Dunoon Grammar School scoops Top Prize

Dunoon Grammar School scooped one of the Weekly Tenner Challenge prizes, beating other 26,000 young people participating across the UK.

Drumlemble Primary School scoops fourth eco flag

Drumlemble Primary School has scooped its fourth Eco-Schools Green Flag. Run by Keep Scotland Beautiful, Eco-schools is the largest sustainable schools programme in the world and encourages young people to take steps to ensure we look after our environment. To earn the Green Flag Award the children have been following the seven elements of the programme over the last two years, involving the whole school and wider community throughout.

Pupils awarded in national art competition

Four budding artists from primary schools across Argyll and Bute have been awarded in a national drawing competition.

Dunoon teacher wins 'UK Educator of the Year' accolade

Paul Gallanagh, Principal Teacher for Business and Computing from Dunoon Grammar School, was awarded the title of Apps for Good's 'Uk Educator of the Year.'

Good report for Education Service

Strong leadership, customised support for schools, and staff committed to improvement are all recognised in the progress report on Argyll and Bute Council's Education Service.

2017

Innovation

Council shortlisted for prestigious Shelter Scotland awards

The council’s Empty Homes Service has been shortlisted for two awards in Shelter Scotland’s Champions of the Year Awards 2017.

Double success for Council's Gaelic centre

The council’s Gaelic centre has celebrated a double success this week after reaching the final of a national awards scheme and winning first prize in a competition run by the Royal National Mod.

Argyll and Bute shortlisted for prestigious national procurement award

The council’s innovative new approach of including Community Benefits Clauses in the contracts it awards has been shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious GO Awards Scotland.

Argyll and Bute is top performing Scottish council for information technology

The Council is the top performing local authority for information technology in Scotland - according to the latest Socitm benchmarking results.

Professional Development

Top marks for staff training

The council’s staff training centre has been given a first-class report after an external inspection.

Council nominated for top UK award

The Council has been short-listed for a major UK award for excellence in HR.

Regeneration

Council’s Campbeltown restoration project triumphs in national empty homes awards

An Argyll and Bute Council project to save a semi-derelict and vacant tenement building in Campbeltown town centre from demolition and bring it back to life, has won two awards in the National Empty Homes Awards 2017.

Regeneration projects benefit from £3 million of funding

Three projects across Argyll and Bute will benefit from almost £3 million of Scottish Government funding – aimed at regenerating economically fragile rural areas and involving local communities.

Helensburgh’s Outdoor Museum shortlisted for two more prestigious national awards

Helensburgh’s Outdoor Museum – an integral part of the town centre’s regeneration – has been shortlisted for another two prestigious national awards.

Excellence in Education

Gigha Primary School won a competition run by The Scottish Salmon Company in partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland.

The school has been awarded a funding package to help plan and produce their end of term show ‘Gigha’s Gone Global for Christmas’. The prize includes a special one-day winter workshop with the National Theatre of Scotland plus £500 towards props and costumes.

Port Ellen Primary School shortlisted for prestigious science prize

Port Ellen Primary School on Islay has been shortlisted as a finalist in this year’s prestigious Rolls-Royce Science Prize.

Lochdonhead pupils are "totally creative" winners

Pupils at Lochdonhead Primary School are celebrating again this week after winning the regional round of the Better Energy School Awards.

Primary two Ulva pupil wins national engineering competition

A pupil from Ulva Primary School has won a national engineering competition.

Top gardening award for Bailey

A pupil from Gigha Primary School has won a top award at Gardening Scotland 2017.

Dunoon Grammar School is Apps for Good UK School of the Year

Dunoon Grammar School has been crowned the Apps for Good UK School of the Year at a prestigious awards ceremony in London.

National success for Young Enterprise group

Pupils from Lochgilphead High School have flown the flag for Argyll and Bute at a Scottish showcase for teenage entrepreneurs.

Royal honour for lollipop lady

Staff and pupils at Colgrain Primary School are celebrating after their former lollipop lady was honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Mull pupil is through to national Westminster final

A Mull Primary School pupil will attend the Palace of Westminster next week after making it through to the final of a national art competition.

Dunoon Grammar reaches national Apps for Good final

A team of pupils from Dunoon Grammar School is calling for help from members of the public after being shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Apps for Good UK finals.

Double success for Education Service

Argyll and Bute Council’s Education Service is celebrating following a double success at this year’s Scottish Education Awards.

Rhu teacher is awarded professional recognition

A teacher from Rhu Primary School has been awarded professional recognition in Outdoor Learning by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

Hermitage pupil commended for science

A pupil from Hermitage Academy was commended for her high performance in science when she became the first recipient to receive the school’s new Barr Medal.

Argyll and Bute schools receive national sports award

Twenty six schools across Argyll and Bute have been presented with a prestigious national sports award.

Islay pupils win gold at star-studded awards

There were celebrations on Islay when Islay High School won the FilmG Gaelic Learner’s Award at this year’s National Gaelic Film ceremony in Glasgow.

Aspiring head teachers received top marks

A group of six aspiring head teachers from schools across Argyll and Bute have received top marks after completing the new “Into Headship” qualification – awarding them the Standard for Headship.

Schools project shortlisted for prestigious partnership award

Argyll and Bute Council’s Schools Redevelopment Project has been shortlisted for two awards in the 2017 Partnership Awards – which recognise international excellence in Public, Private Partnership.

Dunoon pupils scoop top award at national event

A group of pupils from Dunoon Grammar School excelled in a national event when they scooped the top prize.

Hermitage girls win Scottish Cup

Hermitage Academy celebrated after two of their girls netball teams reached the Netball Scotland Scottish Cup Finals - with their S3 team taking the gold.

West Coasters triumph in Young Enterprise Awards

A high school team of young entrepreneurs is in the national final of a major competition after triumphing in the regional heat.

Argyll and Bute teacher is top of the class as national awards finalist

An Argyll and Bute school and head teacher have beaten off stiff competition from across Scotland to be selected as finalists at this year’s Scottish Education Awards.

Quality of Life

Double recycling success for council

Argyll and Bute Council has won two UK awards for its recycling. It has scooped gold in two categories, beating councils from across Britain.

£3.4m success for welfare team

THE welfare rights team at Argyll and Bute Council has helped local residents claim more than £3 million in benefits.

2016

Excellence Awards

Excellence Awards 2016

Well done to our staff for all their hard work this year.

Innovation

Argyll and Bute Council leads the way in IT cost efficiency

The Council has been recognised as sector-leading in its value-for-money approach to storing electronic data.

Regeneration

Helensburgh Town Centre Public Realm recognised with prestigious RIAS Award

The revitalised town centre public realm took home a prestigious Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Award.

Helensburgh town centre public realm scoops Scottish Design Award

Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh public realm project won a Scottish Design Award.

Event to celebrate Campbeltown town centre regeneration hailed a ‘real success’

Argyll and Bute Council held an extremely successful event to celebrate the success of Campbeltown’s Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) which has revitalised the town centre.

Professional Development

Education support staff receive Professional Development Awards

Education staff from across Argyll and Bute attended an awards ceremony to receive their SQA Professional Development Award in Education Support.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Procurement Team gains national recognition

Argyll and Bute Council’s procurement practices have received a national endorsement after the Scottish Government’s Procurement and Commercial Improvement Programme assessment awarded a rating in the top band.

Argyll and Bute Welfare Group scoops best Scottish award

Argyll and Bute’s Welfare Reform Working Group (WRWG) won the best Scottish entry at the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV) Association Performance Awards – for Excellence in Partnership Working.

Young Argyll and Bute man chosen to represent Scotland

A young man from Argyll and Bute has been chosen to represent Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP) in Canada.

Quality of Life

Port Ellen blooms in national competition

An Argyll and Bute school had an exhibit on display at this year’s Gardening Scotland event after winning a national competition.

Top marks for council apprentices

Two apprentices from Argyll and Bute Council have become fully qualified HGV mechanics.

SFA success for two Argyll and Bute clubs

Two football clubs from Argyll and Bute were awarded the Scottish Football Association's standard award.

Helensburgh man wins national Young Scot award

Former Hermitage Academy pupil, Gordon Reid fought off hundreds of entries to get to the final - before being crowned the 2016 winner - of a sought-after sports accolade at this year's prestigious Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards.

Keira Rutherford, a pupil at Rothesay Joint Campus, was shortlisted for an Unsung Hero Award.

Council apprentice wins Apprentice of the Year Award

A modern apprentice from Argyll and Bute Council has won the coveted Scottish Training Federation (STF) Apprentice of the Year Award.

Argyll and Bute Sports Awards winners are announced

The Argyll and Bute Sports Awards took place on Friday (9th Sept) and a number of local sporting heroes were awarded for their commitment to sport.

Excellence in Education

Argyll and Bute primary crowned Scottish champion

A primary school in Argyll and Bute has been crowned the Scottish champion in this year’s Total Green School Awards.

Argyll and Bute makes Scottish Education Awards final

Two schools and an educational supporter from Argyll and Bute beat off stiff competition from across Scotland to be selected as finalists at this year’s Scottish Education Awards.

Two Argyll and Bute schools make national final

Two projects in Argyll and Bute were shortlisted for the Royal British Legion Scotland's 2016 Schools Award.

2015

Excellence in education

Argyll and Bute school takes on the UK and wins in the Kodu Cup, Microsoft's computer programming competition

Argyll and Bute’s primary schools are gaining a reputation for being top of the class when it comes to technology based learning

Young people are solid gold winners with Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards 2015

Quality of life

Social workers highly respected for sheer professionalism

Argyll and Bute Council’s Children and Families service has won a cherished gold award at the prestigious annual CoSLA Excellence Awards

National award for Aquilibrium Team in Campbeltown

Innovation

Argyll and Bute’s Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament recognised with national award 

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