Fife Council’s Executive Committee agreed today (Thursday 28 June) to prepare a bid for government funding to invest in a new high school for the Levenmouth area.

Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme is now in its third phase. The £1.25 billion programme is already supporting 37 building projects, including Auchmuty High School here in Fife.

Cllr. Bryan Poole, Executive Spokesperson for Education, Children, Young People & Familes said: “This is an exciting opportunity but it’s just the beginning of a plan. Today we’ve agreed to take the first step, which is to bid for funding for a brand new school for Levenmouth.

“Both Buckhaven and Kirkland High Schools are doing a great job for local youngsters. But Buckhaven’s school building is deteriorating and this could give us a fantastic opportunity to create a state of the art facility to enhance learning opportunities and inspire future generations.

“We’re serious about tackling the social disadvantages that exist in Levenmouth and education is critical to this. A new school for around 1,700 pupils could also help encourage more development and investment in the area.

“New high schools in Dunfermline and Glenrothes are nearing completion and we’re working on a replacement for Madras. It would be great to start planning another, which would mean full consultation with parents and the local communities, and I look forward to submitting a strong bid and hearing back from the Government.

“I want to stress that a new secondary school for east Kirkcaldy is still a priority for the council, but the guidelines for this funding programme make it clear that a bid for this area probably wouldn’t be successful.

“This is because the pressure on the local schools stems from new housing developments so a new school should be funded in large part by the developers. Unfortunately the economic downturn has slowed housing development and delayed a school build, but the Executive Committee will soon be considering the possibilities for Viewforth and developing a clear plan for Kirkcaldy.”

Louise Playford, Service Manager added: “Focussing on a bid for a secondary school in Levenmouth will mean that, if we’re successful in receiving funding from the Government, it will benefit the maximum number of Fife pupils.

“We can now bid for two thirds of the cost a new high school from the Scottish Schools for the Future fund. If successful the council would have to cover the remaining costs however, given the ongoing savings that would come from running one school in place of two, the actual cost to the council would be minimal.

“As well as preparing the funding bid, the Education team will also be working on a report for a future Executive Committee meeting about how the accommodation issues at Viewforth High School could be addressed.”

Hubco, working in partnership with councils, will run the procurement and construction of schools funded by phase three of the Scotland’s Schools for Future programme, running them for 25 years after they open.