Project Description

Name of School: Auchmuty High School
Partners/Businesses Involved: British Army
Sector/Industry: Professional Services / Armed Forces
Activity Type: Work Inspiration & Preparation | Career/Job Event

Pupils from Auchmuty High School recently visited Leuchars Army Base to take part in the Army Challenge Day, an immersive employer engagement activity designed to introduce young people to the wide range of careers, skills and opportunities available within the British Army. The event was organised through DYW Fife and provided pupils with hands-on experiences that challenged them to develop teamwork, leadership, resilience and problem-solving skills in a real-world setting.

The visit was designed to help young people gain a greater understanding of career opportunities within the Armed Forces while building confidence and transferable employability skills that can support future education, training and employment pathways. Pupils from S3 to S5 attended the event, many of whom had an interest in physical activity, engineering, public service careers or simply wanted to challenge themselves through new experiences.

Bringing Learning to Life

Throughout the day, pupils participated in a range of practical and interactive activities delivered by Army personnel from Leuchars Station. These included team command tasks, physical challenges, obstacle courses, STEM-based problem-solving activities, equipment demonstrations and career insight sessions with serving soldiers. 

Working in mixed teams, learners were encouraged to communicate effectively, support one another and think strategically to complete challenges successfully. Army personnel shared examples of how these same skills are used every day across a range of military careers, helping young people understand the connection between classroom learning and the workplace.

The experience also highlighted the diversity of opportunities available within the Armed Forces, including careers in engineering, logistics, healthcare, cyber security, catering and mechanics. This helped challenge misconceptions and broaden awareness of post-school pathways that pupils may not otherwise have considered.

Employer Engagement in Action

The British Army are long-standing partners of DYW Fife and regularly support school engagement activities across the region. Their involvement reflects a commitment to inspiring young people, promoting modern career opportunities and helping learners develop valuable transferable skills.

Events such as the Army Challenge Day allow young people to engage directly with employers in a meaningful way, giving them the opportunity to ask questions, hear real career stories and gain insight into working environments that may be unfamiliar to them.

What Young People Said

Feedback from pupils was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting how the experience helped them discover new strengths and consider future opportunities.

“I didn’t realise how many different jobs there are in the Army. It’s not just what you see on TV – there’s something for everyone.”

“The obstacle course was brilliant. Hard work, but it made me feel really proud of what I managed to do.”

“I liked working with people I don’t normally team up with. We actually made a great group and completed every challenge.”

“Talking to the soldiers made me think about careers I’d never considered before.”

Impact and Outcomes

The Army Challenge Day successfully provided young people with a memorable and engaging experience outside the classroom while supporting the development of key employability skills.

Key outcomes included:

• Improved confidence and self-belief.
• Increased teamwork and communication skills.
• Greater awareness of Armed Forces careers and apprenticeships.
• Exposure to a real-world working environment.
• Stronger links between Auchmuty High School and Leuchars Army Base.

Several pupils expressed an interest in exploring Army apprenticeships and future opportunities following the visit, while staff observed noticeable improvements in teamwork and confidence among participants. The success of the event has strengthened the partnership between Auchmuty High School and the British Army, creating opportunities for future engagement and helping young people make informed decisions about their next steps.