NEW Lochgelly High School rector, Debbie Aitken, wants the LHS community to work together to see the exciting progress made over the past six years continue to flourish.

Ms Aitken said that being a Kelty girl with her dad brought up in Glencraig, she felt very much at home in taking over the rector's chair at the school.

Having been eight years a teacher at Beath High, the new rector has had experience of working in the local area and her first few days at the Station Road school has given her a feeling of a very positive LHS atmosphere.

Ms Aitken, the former depute head at Kirkcaldy High, arrived at Lochgelly after Carol Ann Penrose moved to Cupar's Bell Baxter at the start of the summer break, and she was full of praise for her predecessor.

"Lochgelly High School's record over the past five years has been one of constant improvement," she said.

"The last school year was a particularly exciting time here because of the 30th anniversary celebrations, and of course the Polar Academy trip to the Arctic Circle.

"Looking at the incredible experience the pupils involved had I would like to think we can have a good legacy from it in the coming session and that it is something we will be working on."

Ms Aitken said that the school name will always be linked with the Employability Initiative which is now a Scotland wide programme: "It has been a highly successful venture which came from the school and Carol Ann was a strong supporter of it from the the first day.

"I would hope that Lochgelly High will continue to be very progressive and we have a number of good things in the pipeline for the future."

Aiming for pupils to focus on leadership values using the 3Rs of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience, the new rector wants to look at a four way avenue to move forward.

She wants teaching to be 'pacy' and keeping pupils fully engaged; pupils playing a key role in leading the way forward; community and family engagement raising the ambition levels of pupils; and the need to plan to keep the improvement story continuing upwards.

Added Ms Aitken: "One of the first things that struck me when I walked into the school was the feeling of pride in the uniform and the marvellously warm atmosphere.

"I really want to see that feeling of pride continue to develop where our pupils achieve the best they can possibly do and ambition is at the forefront of everyone's mind.

"I would like the to see as many parents and carers as possible get involved on the parent council and there is a meeting of it on Monday September 4. I would urge as many as possible to come along that night.

"It is important to have as many views as possible and with that in mind the pupil council is playing a strong role too."

Ms Aitken is delighted that several new teachers started at the beginning of term and she added: "We have a very good quality staff here and I am excited about the way ahead for the school.

"The aim is to maintain the success levels and make Lochgelly High School a place where teachers want to be part of the story for a very long time."