Pupils Gain Medical Insight

Pupils from Kirkwall Grammar School have been given the opportunity to gain an insight into  career in medicine and also gain life-saving skills during two recent employer engagement activities.

​At the end of 2025, pupils were offered the chance to take part in a Medical Insight Session which was delivered by Doctors from Heilendi Medical Practice.  The session was aimed at S3 pupils who are studying two or more sciences.  The aim of the session is to encourage pupils to consider applying to study medicine, and offer them support if that is a route they decide to take.

---

Thirty S3 pupils attended a session where they learnt procedures on choking and, defibrillation and CPR.  They also took part in a general discussion about applying for and studying medicine.
 
A further session which was attended by 11 S4 and S5 pupils offered a more in-depth discussion about routes and pathways in medicine, and what pupils should be doing now to support future applications.
 
Finally, a drop-in session was offered to S6 pupils who are applying for Medicine to get specific help with current applications and preparing for an interview.

Over the past year, a group of local GPs have been working with senior pupils to offer them work placements and insight opportunities, as well as support to complete the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) and their UCAS applications. 

Following the insight session, pupil were offered the chance to take sign up to a Heartstart Course which taught them CPR skills, how and when to use a defibrillator and how to deal with a choking incident.  They were also taught how to deal with an emergency situation, learning who to call and what to say in an emergency, how to place someone in the recovery position and how to check if someone is breathing properly.
 
Pupils were given hands-on practice to help them develop their skills and also had an opportunity ask questions.  Everyone who took part were given a certificate to recognise their participation and completion of the course.
 
This course was offered to interested pupils by DYW Orkney following a Medical Insight Session held in the school before Christmas.  For more information on Save a Life Scotland, visit www.savealife.scot/learn-cpr/
​