The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Parents’ subject choice and bullying concerns
Parents have described a culture of bullying at Beath High School.
They told how pupils were suffering in what was described as a negative environment.
An allegation of assault was made to police in connection with one junior pupil who was being targeted by senior pupils, it was claimed.
Other parents of primary-age pupils said they were considering sending their children elsewhere as they were so concerned.
They spoke out at a public meeting called in the wake of a critical report by inspectors and publication of a schools league table in which Beath languished near the bottom.
Parents also spoke of the “catastrophic” impact of a shortage of cash and resources, which was compounding the issue of bullying and affecting pupils’ chances to fulfil their full potential.
They also voiced worries about the level of subject choice and support for children with additional needs, with the use of a hub at Crossgates likened to a form of exclusion.
One parent said: “These are young people’s futures that are being gambled with because of funding cuts.”
Another said: “Children scared of being bullied are not going to perform well educationally.”
Cowdenbeath Conservative councillor Darren Watt, who called the public meeting in the Maxwell Centre, said: “We need to get these issues addressed as a matter of urgency.”
He said further meetings are planned, including with senior education officers and the school’s rector.
Conservative shadow education secretary, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith, said she would raise concerns voiced with Education Secretary John Swinney.
Councillor Kathleen Leslie, the party’s education spokeswoman on Fife Council, said she was “really, really shocked” by the tales of bullying relayed by parents.
She said she would write to the head of education and children’s services seeking a meeting and questioning what had and would be done to support the school.
Fife Council head of education Phil Black said: “Following a recent inspection by Education Scotland the school was set a number of priorities to take forward.
“Inspectors acknowledged that Mr (rector Steve) Ross has a clear vision for the school and had already made good progress on a number of fronts, not least encouraging all members of the school community to play a more active part in the life and work of the school and in determining the school priorities.
“I am confident that overall the school is making good progress.”