BEATH High rector, Douglas Young, has heaped warm praise on the pupils of the Cowdenbeath school for their exam returns which have shown marked improvement.

He also told the senior prizegiving about an experience one of the school’s pupils can look forward to at Yale University in the USA.

He said, “I am very pleased to report that Beath remains in a very good place. Our exam results, for example, were very encouraging with us seeing improvement in eight out of the nine measures currently reported on nationally.

“In fact, in four out of those nine measures we reached the highest figures ever seen at Beath. Just as well really as from this session forward, with the new exams in place, results will be considered differently with a new national benchmarking toolkit in place for all schools by August. Believe me, it’s a good feeling to leave the old measures on a high note!

“These positive results are down to hard work and commitment coupled to appropriate support.

“The hard work and commitment has, of course, come from our pupils as well as our staff - the support comes from the school and, more particularly, our staff – but also from you the parents. Don’t ever underestimate the impact you have on the expectation and ambition of your child.

“I am also delighted to report that we saw 99% of our pupils in S4 attaining at least a level three qualification in English with this figure matched in Maths. In addition I am delighted to report that 97% of our S4 pupils achieved five or more qualifications at least at level 3 – with of course many achieving significantly more than that. These last three figures are very important to us as we strive to close the attainment gap in Beath – and provide evidence that we are a genuinely inclusive school.

“Our pupils are brilliant. Working with us, as they almost all do, they create a wonderful ethos in Beath. Visitors from within our own community and beyond, including the likes of education staff, supply teaching staff and exam invigilators always comment on the high standard of behaviour, the level of courtesy and politeness and the relaxed feel within the school – and that is something I am particularly proud of.

“I believe since we set out our vision, aims and values we have had a very clear sense of what we are trying to achieve in Beath. However, I believe we have reached a point where we need to take time to look up and look forward again and based on our vision, set out specific goals that we want to achieve over the next three, four, five, maybe even six years.

“That is something we are going to do starting in August and I will be coming to you for your thoughts. Please, when the invite comes out to you, take the opportunity to become involved. This is your school, it’s Cowdenbeath’s school, it’s Kelty’s school, it’s Crossgates school – I could go on but I’m sure you get the message”.

He also mentioned the school show ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, which ran here over two evenings and is going to be on at the Fringe at the Edinburgh Festival this coming August. “Yes you heard me correctly – pupils from Beath are taking their show to one of the biggest arts festivals in the world and are performing there for a week.

“I almost can’t believe I’m saying that – but having seen the production it is completely appropriate,” he added, “I know it isn’t unique as schools have been there before – but given drama is such a new subject here I still have to pinch myself. What an opportunity”!

He talked about the success of Beath pupils in a number of fields including sport, music and a top of the form competition.

Mr Young concluded, “Finally I want to share the success of one young lady currently just starting S6.

“Our depute, Alison Pilmer, suggested to Chantelle Lesswell and a couple of others that they might want to apply to the International Sutton Trust to look at supporting their entry in to university.

“Following the application process Chantelle was offered an interview and the chance to sit some test papers down in London.

“To cut a long story short that went extremely well and she has now been offered a week at Yale University in America over the summer – with the possibility of a full four year scholarship to follow.

“For one of our pupils to even get close to that is astonishing and I just want to say a very public ‘well done’ to Chantelle.” The junior ceremony had musical contributions from the string ensemble and the junior choir and at the senior ceremony piper Brandon MacDonald piped the platform party in before performances from the wind band, senior choir and trombonist Ross Bahlaj.

Mr Young warmly thanked the sponsors of the many awards, Commscope, Beath Centre, Kelty Church of Scotland, Exxonmobil Chemical Limited, Shell UK Limited, Unite Social Club Rosyth, Shipwrights Social Club Rosyth, Former Pupil Benefactor, Babcock Marine (Rosyth) Limited, Class of ‘78, The Rotary Club of Cowdenbeath, CACA, and John Young Signs, Crossgates.