When Beath High School was given a poor report from inspectors its new head teacher set the target of making it among Scotland’s best.
Three years on, the school has been given high praise by HM Inspectors of Education and boss Steve Ross reckons it is “very much” on its way to reaching its ambition.
We spoke to Mr Ross and a couple of his senior pupils to find out how the Cowdenbeath school has transformed – from its ethos and pupil behaviour to offering more subjects and rising attainment.
Beath High School: 2019 v 2022
In May 2019 inspectors rated the school as weak in its ability to raise attainment and achievement. Quality of learning, teaching and assessment was only satisfactory.
Parents also spoke out about a culture of bullying during a public meeting called to air concerns about the school’s performance.
Come January 2022, and Education Scotland has credited its new approach with creating a calm and purposeful school where attainment is showing signs of growth.
Following a return visit by inspectors in November, a letter issued to parents this week described:
- the head teacher’s very effective and supportive leadership, clear vision for the school, aspiration for excellence and high expectations
- significant improvements in relationships between pupils and staff
- staff and young people feeling positive improvement in how they are treated and school ethos
- a new approach to lessons creating better structure
- early signs of better attainment
How were changes made?
When Mr Ross arrived at Beath High School in August 2018, he found a school in need of improvement but also a staff team eager to excel.
He had come from Craigroyston Community High School, which like Beath has a high proportion of pupils from deprived areas. Under his leadership the Edinburgh school saw the staying on after S4 rate increase from 54% to 94% in three years.
He set about consulting the school community on what needed to change, and the top priorities were tackling problematic behaviour and wider subject choice.
Committees were set up to drive changes, a new curriculum was devised and pupils helped develop guidelines for behaviour in corridors, where many had said they felt unsafe.
The Beath Lesson – a start, learn and reflect model –Â is followed by teachers across classes and Education Scotland noted how this was helping to better structure lessons and supporting positive attainment.
What’s it like being a pupil at Beath now?
Head girl and boy Eilidh Poole and Cameron Baillie, both S6, were in S3 when the change began.
Eilidh said there was now more subject choice, more focus on ensuring the curriculum is suited to individuals and pupils have more say on school life.
She said: “The pupil voice is acknowledged much more. Before that wasn’t really the case.
“When the guidelines were being put in place pupils were very much involved in that.
“The school’s purpose and vision is now much clearer to everyone. Everyone knows what’s expected of them and how they should conduct themselves.”
Eilidh enjoys coming to school more than she used to and reckons the Beath High School ambition to be among Scotland’s best schools is in sight.
The whole school feels more relaxed, a lot calmer. It has improved dramatically from a few years ago.”
Head boy Cameron Baillie, S6
She said: “Seeing the changes made in three years, I think it definitely is possible.”
Cameron agreed, saying: “Anything is possible if everyone works hard in trying to achieve it.”
He is proud to wear the Beath blazer, adding: “The whole school feels more relaxed, a lot calmer. It has improved dramatically from a few years ago.
“I actually feel happy coming into school. When I first came here I didn’t want to be here, I wanted to go straight home.”
The head teacher’s view
Mr Ross said his colleagues at Beath had gone “above and beyond” to give all their young people the “very highest standard of education”.
He said: “This is despite the enormous challenges we have all faced throughout the pandemic. I am immensely proud of our staff team.
“We are now very much on our way to realising our ambition of creating one of the best schools in Scotland.
“To me, the people of Cowdenbeath, Kelty, Hill of Beath, Crossgates and the surrounding area deserve excellence in their school – and that is what we will continually strive for.”
