‘We won’t be naming it Schoolie McSchoolface’

Fife’s education and property services has revealed the new school in Rosyth will be renamed with the help of locals this summer.

The details of how the renaming and consultation process will work are not yet clear and committee councillors have been asked for their advice.

“What’s important, really, is that it’s a process and everyone in the community who wants to have their say has the opportunity to do that,” said Rosyth SNP councillor Brian Goodall.

“I think it’s obviously vital we engage with the whole school community as part of that process.

“But given that the move from Inverkeithing to Rosyth is such a significant change, we need to make sure we engage with the wider communities as well.”

When it is finished, the new Rosyth facility will replace Inverkeithing High School, which is in “poor condition”.

According to a project update from education and property services, the current school has “major defects.” It is also very inaccessible and cannot reasonably or easily be made accessible.

Rather than spending £24.5 million to bring the current school back to life, the council is to replace it with a new facility.

“As the replacement school will now be located within Rosyth, a future engagement with relevant stakeholders will be carried out on a new name for the school,” the update said.

Conservative councillor Dave Dempsey was concerned about getting the balance right.

He said the public should be consulted, but he wished to avoid ending up with a silly name for the school.

He said: “I’m reminded of the dangers of putting it out to the public in a big way because I don’t think

Schoolie McSchoolface would be an acceptable name for the new establishment,” referencing a viral public poll from 2016 which saw “Boaty McBoatface” emerge as the favourite to name a £200m polar scientific research ship.

The ship was eventually named after Sir David Attenborough.

Others were quick to point out that the final decision will be vetted and approved by area committee councillors.

“Any final decisions would come back to this committee for the final say,” council officers explained.

“There would be opportunities to remove anything that wouldn’t meet the needs.

“Or we could go to the community with a shortlist of potential names and proceed on that basis.”

Committee convener David Barratt added: “There was also a suggestion that the community could (create a) shortlist and this committee would finalise it.

“If there was a Schoolie McSchool face, we would likely not choose it.”

The full business case for the new school will be presented to the cabinet committee in May.

If it is approved, the project will enter “financial close” where the council will commit to a construction contract.

It is anticipated the renaming consultations will take place after the business case is approved over the summer 2024 school term.

“I’m reminded of the dangers of putting it out to the public