Why town high schools are on different sides of a divide

Just over three miles separate Balwearie and Viewforth secondary schools on either side of Kirkcaldy. But children who go to Balwearie High are more likely to walk out the door with five or more Higher qualifications under their belt than their peers at Viewforth High.

Balwearie was among the best-ranked Fife schools in The Courier League – compiled last month using last year’s exam results – coming in 12th overall.

In 2021, 42% of its leavers had gained five or more Highers, compared with 25% of those leaving Viewforth, which ranked 35th out of 43 Tayside and Fife schools.

Why such different outcomes? The gulf is clear – but the why is complex.

The quality of a school’s provision will influence how well its pupils perform.

But the demographic of its catchment area is also a big factor, with children from poorer backgrounds less likely to excel academically.

Balwearie High sits alongside large stone villas and bungalows with driveways, adjacent to the leafy Beveridge Park.

A nearby pocket of deprivation is surrounded by the more affluent Raith and Seafield estates.

Also in the catchment area are the popular villages of Kinghorn and Burntisland.

Between 10% and 20% of Balwearie’s 1,600-plus pupils live in the most impoverished areas – known as quintile 1 of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.

However, 40% to 50% of Viewforth High’s 700+ pupils come from the most deprived areas.

It is designated an attainment challenge school under the Scottish Government’s Scottish Attainment Challenge programme.

Viewforth sits on the north-east edge of Kirkcaldy, in the midst of the communities of Gallatown and Sinclairtown and the former mining village of Dysart, all in the most deprived two quintiles.

Traditionally, Balwearie is seen locally as the more “desirable” school.

But it has had its issues too – a report in 2018 highlighted pupil concerns about bullying and misbehaviour.

It also said the quality of teaching was not of consistently high standard.

A year later, however, a follow-up report found progress had been made under a new head teacher.

Shelagh McLean, Fife Council’s head of education and children services, insists all of the region’s schools were focused on ensuring every young person has the same chance of success.

Explaining how the local authority monitors performance, she said: “We look at a range of factors relating to a school’s context when considering the outcomes of our schools. These include characteristics like free school meal entitlement, the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, the need for additional support and English as a second language. Nationally, these characteristics are used to create comparisons on a like-for-like basis for schools.

“Our schools are focused on supporting every young person to achieve and to move on to a positive destination.

“Closing the povertyrelated attainment gap is a focus for all schools.”

Balwearie High School, left, and – three miles away – Viewforth High School.