Tractor Restoration Fuels Future Careers

Selkirk High School students have breathed new life into a 1960s Massey Ferguson tractor through a dedicated restoration project. This initiative shifts focus from traditional classroom settings to hands-on learning, offering pupils practical skills directly applicable to future careers.

The project has yielded significant success, with students gaining qualifications in land-based engineering. Two former pupils have already advanced to further education in this field. The fully restored tractor was recently showcased at a Classic Trucks and Tractor Show in Edinburgh, highlighting the students' achievements.

Anna Johnson, the outdoor learning youth worker, emphasized the project's role in preserving traditional trades, noting the risk of losing these skills if not actively taught. The course boasts 100% attendance, attributed to its engaging, practical nature.

Originating from a decaying tractor on the head teacher's farm, the project has garnered interest from external groups, with offers for further vintage tractor refurbishments. This enthusiasm from students and industry alike suggests a bright future for the agricultural engineering course at Selkirk High School.