Fife Council ask public to name Rosyth's new high school

It will replace the crumbling Inverkeithing High in just over two years time and Fife Council will launch an engagement exercise over the summer to determine what it should be called.

A report also reiterated why a new school is needed, saying some areas of the current buildings are not being used due to asbestos while maintenance costs are thought to be as high as £25m.

READ MORE: Locals have 'no faith' that council will build £20m sports hub in Inverkeithing

Shelagh McLean, head of education at the council, said: "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.

"It is anticipated that this engagement exercise will commence in the summer term 2024.

"This engagement will consider the views of stakeholders including pupils, parents, staff and the wider community.

This is where the new high school will be built, on the outskirts of Rosyth. (Image: Fife Council)

"Officers would welcome the views of local elected members of how this engagement process can be designed and implemented to best reflect the aspirations of their communities."

The outcome will be reported to a future South and West Fife area committee for a decision on the name.

Planning permission was approved last month.

Councillors were also told on Wednesday that the capacity of the new school, due to open at the Fleet Grounds in August 2026, won't be enough for the number of pupils expected to attend in the first two years.

It's being built to accommodate 1,735 pupils but Ms McLean said there is a "peak in pupil numbers" and added: "Additional capacity will be created through the use of the community facilities in the new facility.

"These spaces will be utilised to deliver the curriculum in the first one - two years after occupation, after which they will revert to dedicated community spaces."

The capacity of the current school was reduced to 1,634 as some areas of the buildings have "encapsulated asbestos containing material" and her report said that while this presents no safety concerns, repair work can only be carried out when no pupils or staff are present.

Hopefully we can come up with a better name than this. (Image: Fife Council)

The education chief explained: "For this reason, it was agreed to retain spare capacity within the building, to provide decant accommodation in the event that work is required during term time."

READ MORE: Woodmill rises from the ashes to become one of Scotland's most improved schools

Capacity was further reduced to 1,605 in 2021 to provide dedicated classrooms for the supported learners service area of the school.

The poor condition of the seven buildings - Inverkeithing High is rated C due to "major defects" - is one of the reasons why a new school is needed.

Around £1.3m has been spent in the past five years, on replacement windows and doors, electrical inspection and repairs, door security and creating new spaces for supporting learners, while condition surveys suggest future lifecycle and maintenance costs to be as much as £24.5m.

The other main reason for change is the fact young people with mobility issues from the catchment area can't even attend Inverkeithing High.

It's not fully accessible - it has the worst rating, D, out of all 18 secondaries in Fife - as students are required to exit and enter at different levels of the site.

A full business case will be presented to the cabinet committee next month.

The project will then enter financial close where the council commits to the construction contract.

All being well, building work will start in July and finish by June 2026.