WAY back in August, only weeks into his new job, Beath High rector Steven Ross decided to embark on an amazing consultative process to ensure that the school was embracing the needs of its community inside the school and outside.

The former rector of Craigroyston High found from early consultations with the school's 1,200 pupils that concerns over corridor behaviour and mobile telephone policies needed to be addressed and that was done early in the process.

He said: "The corridor code was something which immediately brought a much calmer atmosphere.

"The points that were gathered by the co-ordinating committee were put together into a programme for the way ahead but before the button was pressed to start, a letter was sent to every parent/carer.

"The feedback from the consultation process was so very enlightening, you may think you know what pupils need or parents expect, but without speaking to individuals you cannot know.

"The staff's thoughts as well were so very interesting, and the consultations with the employers also brought a lot of very valuable information."

Mr Ross added: "We really need to know what the employers of the area want from school leavers to ensure that Beath Pathway To Work is the right one.

"The partnership we are developing with local businesses is one which can keep the school up to speed with what is required."

He is hoping to get even more local employers involved in the Business Advisory Group.

The rector pointed out that the discussions with each pupil had been so valuable and it all added up to a revised and more encompassing Curriculum for 2019-2020.

Said Mr Ross: "It became clear very quickly that the curriculum we had was too narrow.

"Pupils were finding themselves having to drop certain courses that they otherwise would have followed.

"By expanding the curriculum, which includes a lot of vocational choices, we hope that we are expanding the Pathway to Work, for Beath pupils.

"The volume of qualifications pupils can sit is being increased and it is geared to meeting the needs of every pupil in the school."

He also stated that in future pupils will be encouraged to stay on to sixth year, rather than consider leaving in fifth or even fourth year as happens at present.

The new curriculum will be ready to be launched on June 10 and it is all about giving the opportunity for all pupils at the school to raise attainment.

The rector commented: "Raising attainment and providing the curriculum and atmosphere to make this happen is a key element of the consultation process.

"But also a vital element in this aim is increasing attendance levels. The most recent levels have been standing at 88 per cent.

"That has to rise to at least 92 or more, for if children are not at school they cannot learn."

Efforts to find out why this has been happening it is hoped will open the door for work with parents and pupils to turn this corner.