The mother of two pupils at a new Fife school has said parents are concerned for the safety of their children.
Laura Donaldson, an administrator of the Levenmouth Academy Support Group, said that while she was satisfied that her children were safe at school, others were worried about the welfare of youngsters at the site.
While keen to emphasise that the new group was there to support and not criticise teaching staff, Mrs Donaldson said that video evidence of an altercation at the school meant that she and other parents felt compelled to act.
“The staff don’t have the control that they need,” she said.
“We want to help the teachers.
“They’re not there to discipline our kids, they’re there to educate them.
“I considered taking my daughter out of school but taking them out of school is not going to solve the issue, it only adds to it.
“I can’t comment on other parents but I know that a lot of people are worried about safety.”
Almost 200 parents have joined the support group within 48 hours of being established.
Concerns raised by parents focus on levels of violence at the school, while bullying has also been highlighted as an issue.
A meeting between the newly-established body and school rector Ronnie Ross will take place after the October holidays, however, Mrs Donaldson has said that she has been surprised by the problems that the new school has encountered.
“It’s a case of working together to sort something out (but) there’s never been problems to this extent, it’s never been like this.
“I can’t comment on what Buckhaven High was like before as my children went to Kirkland, but I can speak for Kirkland and it was never like that.
“I don’t know where these issues have come from.”
Headteacher pledges to listen to concerns
The headteacher of Levenmouth Academy has called on the local community to work with his staff to tackle fears of violence at the school.
Ronnie Ross said he will meet concerned parents next month after an online campaign started to highlight events at Scotland’s second largest school.
The £44 million complex has been dogged by allegations of pupil violence and antisocial behaviour since opening six weeks ago.
Attempting to allay parents fears, Mr Ross said: “I believe in the rights of parents to bring things to our attention, but what I would really like them to do is come in and see us.
“I’ve always had an open door policy.
“There’s over 1,600 pupils here enjoying an excellent education and making the most of this excellent new facility.”
An online body, the Levenmouth Academy Support Group, has been established by parents this week following the publication of a horrific video on social media showing a fight in the school. It has since been removed.
Police are investigating the incident, however, The Courier has received reports of several other altercations in the building, as well as allegations of hand dryers being ripped from toilet walls and pupils jumping out in front of passing cars.
Mr Ross continued: “I get why parents are anxious.The spotlight is on Levenmouth because it is a new school.
“There are fights in every school in Scotland – these are not new – but schools deal with them with the support of families and young people.”
Formed following a merger of a Kirkland High School and Buckhaven High School, Mr Ross insisted that any flashpoints at the new school were nothing to do with old rivalries.
“That is not the case and I can categorically say that,” he said.
“The two schools coming together has worked very well and what has happened is that there have been incidents in the community that have come into the school and that has led to instances of fighting or aggression which will not be tolerated.
“We deal with any perpetrator using the full force of the tools we have at our disposal.”
With a parent council in the process of being established, Mr Ross said that he hoped next month’s meeting with parents would build ties that could tackle any future misbehaviour.
“I don’t have the answers and nor do my staff,” he said.
“But I know that by working (with parents) to find solutions, we will find them and I am totally committed to that.
“We want the school to be a success and what we need to do is agree on the means of getting there and we will.”
