Fife Council says that it will welcome input from teachers’ unions as it seeks to address concerns of violent behaviour at its newest secondary school.
Parents of students at Levenmouth Academy have expressed fears for the safety of their children following reports of widespread violence at the campus, which opened just eight weeks ago.
David Farmer, EIS publicity officer in Fife, said that the union was speaking to its members as it prepares to discuss the matter with education officials next month.
“We have spoken to our members at the school,” said Mr Farmer.
“Right now we are trying to clarify some things that we have been told and get as much information as we can before we go to the education service.
“Next month we will be meeting and we expect Levenmouth Academy to be on the agenda.”
Parents have stated their desire to work with the school to quell any problems following widespread reports of fighting between pupils at Levenmouth Academy.
Formed as a merger of Buckhaven High School and Kirkland High School, parents have also expressed concerns about bullying at the new school, while there have been additional reports of hand dryers being ripped from toilet walls and pupils jumping out in front of passing cars.
As Scotland’s second biggest secondary school, Mr Farmer said that it was still too early to tell whether the building was suitably staffed to cope with the number of pupils.
“The school has only been open for seven weeks and while not to minimise the problems that parents and staff are highlighting, that is not long enough to make a definitive judgement,” he said.
“It was a bold decision from Fife Council to build Levenmouth Academy and we want it to work because the community deserves for it to work.”
Rector Ronnie Ross has already agreed to meet with parents next month to address their concerns, while Shelagh McLean, executive director for education and children’s services at Fife Council, said that she would welcome support from teachers’ unions.
“The directorate regularly meets with our joint trade unions to discuss initiatives, progress and any issues associated with education and children’s services in Fife,” she said.
“Strong partnership working with all of the professional associations is important to us, because we work together to ensure all of our schools are successful and services continue to improve.”
