Kirkcaldy High School
56°07′53″N 3°10′03″W / 56.1315°N 3.1675°W
| Kirkcaldy High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
| , Scotland | |
| Information | |
| Type | Secondary |
| Motto | Usque Conabor (Working together to improve)[1] |
| Established | 1852 |
| Rector | Chris McKay (interim) |
| Teaching staff | 90 (approx.) |
| Number of students | 1,400 (approx.) |
| Colour(s) | navy, blue and gold |
| Website | Official Website |
Kirkcaldy High School is a 6-year co-educational comprehensive state school in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland.
History
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 Queen Elizabeth II. 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 became 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; the site is now occupied by a housing estate.
The most recent inspection of the school took place in 2012. The reports stated that the school was making good progress with its goals and identified key strengths: pupils who were proud of their school and positive about learning, high achievement in out-of-class learning, high quality pastoral care, very good community partnership working, staff who listened to and involved pupils, and the headteacher's leadership of an improving school.[2]
In March 2014, the school won the COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) Excellence Award for its work in relation to teenage sexual health and pregnancy prevention. Working with NHS Fife, the school was recognised as being an example of best practice in this field and was featured in the national press, TV and radio.[3][4]
Later in 2014, Kirkcaldy High School was shortlisted as a finalist in the Scottish Education Awards 2014[5] in the Health and Wellbeing section and were selected as the "Kingdom FM" Best School[6] in their "Local Hero" Awards in August 2014.
During session 2015–2016, the school was increasingly involved in promoting "STEM" (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Education, with a staff member being recognised as UK STEM Teacher of the Year,[7] the school winning the Scottish finals of the Engineering Development Trust's "Go4SET" competition[8] and another finalist place in the Scottish Education Awards[9]
On 22 February 2017, the school received a visit from Stonewall Ambassador Sir Ian McKellen. Sir Ian spoke to the S6 about his experiences before having lunch with the school LGBT Group.[10] Sir Ian was awarded a Kirkclady High School tie which he wore on The Graham Norton Show.[11]
In 2018, the school won a second COSLA Excellence Award for their work tackling LGBT bullying and promoting equality across the school as well as taking training to a number of local and national organisations.[12]
In 2020, the school was awarded "Gold" status as a UNICEF "Rights Respecting School"[13] and was awarded the "Gold" Charter by LGBT Youth Scotland.[14]
House system
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.
- Oswald (green) – Named after an old Kirkcaldy family, at one time associated with the Dunnikier estate, on which the school is now sited.
- Adam Smith (purple) – Named after the economist who wrote The Wealth of Nations and attended the school in the eighteenth century.
- Carlyle (blue) – Named after the writer Thomas Carlyle who taught at the school between 1816 and 1818.
Former rectors
- Derek Allan: 2009–2022
Notable former pupils
 | This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (September 2022) |
- Gordon Aikman, motor neurone disease campaigner[15]
- Gordon Brown, former UK Prime Minister[16]
- John Buchan, author
- David Raitt Robertson Burt, zoologist
- Bob Carruthers, filmmaker and author
- Harry Colville, footballer
- William Barron Coutts FRSE, military scientist
- Ewan Dow, politician
- Douglas Dryburgh, Olympic curler
- Murray Elder, Baron Elder, life peer and political chief of staff
- Robert Fyfe, actor[17]
- Harry Gourlay, politician
- John Grahl, economist
- Sandy Hinshelwood, rugby international
- Archie Howie, physicist
- Bob Howie, rugby international
- Dave Howie, rugby international
- William Oliphant Hutchison, painter
- Jackie Leven, musician
- Val McDermid, novelist[1]
- Alan Ormrod, cricketer
- Richard Park, broadcaster[1]
- Aileen Paterson, author[1]
- Harry Ritchie, author
- Meg Ritchie, Olympic athlete
- Anneila Sargent, astronomer
- Adam Smith, economist[1]
- Shirley-Anne Somerville, politician
- R.C. Stevenson, rugby player
- Melissa Terras, professor
- Brian Thomson, journalist
- Andrew Weir, 1st Baron Inverforth, industrialist
- Bertha Wilson, Canadian Supreme Court Judge
References
- ^ a b c d e "Fife Council: Schools by region A-Z". www.scotsman.com. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
- ^ "Kirkcaldy High School – Fife – Primary and Secondary schools – Inspection and review". Education Scotland. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013.
- ^ "COSLA Excellence Awards » COSLA CHAIR'S AWARD – Fife Council- Teenage Pregnancy Initiative". Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014.
- ^ "Kirkcaldy High sex education project tackles teen pregnancies". BBC News.
- ^ "2014 Awards – Previous awards". Scottish Education Awards. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016.
- ^ "Local Hero Awards Winners | Life in Fife – Kingdom FM". Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
- ^ "STEMNET AWARDS HONOUR THOSE INSPIRING YOUNG PEOPLE IN STEM". STEMNET. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016.
- ^ "Future Scottish Talent Showcased in Go4SET Celebration". etrust.org.uk.
- ^ "Winners 2016 – Scottish Education Awards". Education Scotland.
- ^ "'If you don't study….you shall not pass' – Actor Sir Ian McKellen pays Kirkcaldy High School a visit". The Courier (Dundee).
- ^ "'That's for Kirkcaldy!' Sir Ian McKellen wears Kirkcaldy High School tie on The Graham Norton Show after promising kids on surprise visit". The Daily Record.
- ^ "TACKLING INEQUALITIES AND IMPROVING HEALTH – Fife Council – Kirkcaldy High School LGBT | The COSLA Excellence Awards". awards.cosla.gov.uk.
- ^ "Kirkcaldy High School – Rights Respecting School".
- ^ "LGBT Youth Scotland Charter Awardees". LGBT Youth Scotland.
- ^ "Kirkcaldy man's moving story inspires huge fundraising surge". fifetoday.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ "Gordon Brown's school days are recalled in Kirkcaldy High revival". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ "Robert Fyfe: Last of The Summer Wine actor's proud links to Fife revealed". www.fifetoday.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
