| Kirkcaldy High School | |
|---|---|
|
Usque conabor
'I will strive to my utmost!" |
|
| Location | |
| Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland | |
| Information | |
| Type | Secondary |
| Established | 1852 |
| Teaching staff | 90 (approx.) |
| Number of students | 1,200 (approx.) |
| School Color(s) | Green, Red, Purple, Blue (Correspond to Houses) |
| Website | http://www.fife-education.org.uk/kirkcaldyhs/ |
Kirkcaldy High School is a comprehensive state school in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland.
Kirkcaldy High school was admitted to the "Schools of Ambition" programme in 2007.[1]
In 2008, The Times observed that while the school was once "a beacon of excellence among state schools", its quality had degraded to become "one of Scotland's worst schools", with low student performance and enthusiasm and a truancy rate four times that of the Scotland average.[2] The Fife council noted in 2009 that very significant improvement had been made.[3]
In August 2009, Kirkcaldy High was reported to have had posted record exam results by the Fife Free Press. They stated that "KHS had seen significant rises in pass rates among S4 pupils, and the percentage of students achieving five or more Standard Grades exceeded the national average. Numbers of those gaining Foundation, General and Credit passes all rose, with an average increase of 13 per cent.[4]
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The school was established in 1582 as Kirkcaldy Burgh School; the "High School" name dates from the middle part of the 19th century. The school's motto is Usque conabor, "I will strive to my utmost".
The High School was originally on St Brycedale Avenue and part of the old building is now incorporated into Kirkcaldy College. In 1958 a new school was built on Dunnikier Way in the shape of a 'H' and opened by Her Majesty the Queen. In 1970 the last entrance exams for the school were taken after which pupils were zoned into their nearest high school. The following year Templehall High School (about half a mile away) became the "Junior" building of the High School originally accommodating 1st, 2nd & 3rd year pupils (later just 1st and 2nd years). The original high school becoming home for the seniors. As requirements changed over the years the senior school was extended and pupil numbers declined. The requirement for two buildings was no longer necessary. In 1994 the junior building was closed and demolished; th site is now occupied by a housing estate.
In October and November 2005 the school underwent a HMIE (Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education) inspection in which it was given many improvements to make, which unfortunately for the school outweighed the positive aspects.[5] In November 2007 HMIE did a follow-up inspection of the school in which they found "there had been no improvement, and in fact some decline, in levels of performance in external examinations".[6] A further follow-up inspection carried out in September 2009 reported that the school had made significant improvements.[7]
The pupils of Kirkcaldy High School are organised into four different houses. Originally the House system was named after areas of Kirkcaldy - Balwearie, Raith, Ravenscraig & St. Serfs. Now the houses are named after famous persons of the town.