THE new rector of Beath High School is aiming to ensure that the every pupil at the Cowdenbeath secondary is given the best base to achieve their full potential.

And he would like to see every pupil stay the full six years and complete their full education path.

Steve Ross has also set his stall out to meet 1-2-1 with every single one of the 1,200 plus roll at Beath.

The rector has arrived in Cowdenbeath after five years at the helm of the successful Craigroyston Community High School in the Lothians and the former Beath teacher is excited by his new challenge.

He said: "I was a teacher for several years at Beath but in the old building and what a difference this new facility is.

"It provides an excellent base for the pupils and staff to achieve their best.

"Beath is an egalitarian school where everyone is equal and deserves equal rights and opportunities and I would love to see every one of our pupils going through to sixth year.

"I feel that the school is the best place to prepare them for employment as the support is there to help them through moments when they may feel that re-assurance and assistance is needed."

He recognises that the curriculum has to meet the needs of all learners and that the ultimate goal is to have every pupil ready to enter employment.

Mr Ross added: "I believe that partnerships with local employers will be important and I will be seeking to speak to the members of the Cowdenbeath business community over the next few months to encourage them to come on board.

"Our pupils are being prepared to be part of Scotland's future and we want to find the best way of achieving that."

He intends not only speaking with local business people and industrialists to share his ideas with them, but to hold a business breakfast at the school to cement the contacts being made.

Mr Ross underlined that the ultimate aim is for every pupil to show the best version of themselves in making the best of their potential.

To achieve that he is going to be consulting with staff, parents and guardians and pupils and he stressed: "My aim is to make Beath High one of the best secondary schools in Scotland.

"The pupils and staff are clearly key elements in this and their input to the consultation process is so very important as are the parents and guardians and their input in the consultation will be very interesting."

Mr Ross, who is on Scottish Government Education Secretary John Swinney's teaching council, has set his stall out to meet every pupil in the school over the next few months to on a 1-2-1 basis as he stresses the maxim that everyone in the school should be fully respected.

Away from school life Mr Ross, who lives with his wife and family in Burntisland, is a keen triathlete, hillwalker and plays in the RAF Pipes and Drums band.