BEATH High School is well on its way to becoming "one of the best schools in Scotland".

That's according to rector Steve Ross after a good report card from education inspectors.

Staff were praised for their continued focus on improvement, despite the challenges of a global pandemic, and the way pupils were supported during lockdown.

Mr Ross said: "Our school had a very positive engagement with the inspector team recently.

"Once again we have benefitted from high quality collaboration with Education Scotland.

"Our young people were a credit to their parents and carers throughout the visit and exemplified the values we have worked hard to embed at Beath High School.

"On behalf of the whole school community I would like to make a public note of thanks to all my colleagues at Beath – they have gone above and beyond to ensure all our young people receive the very highest standard of education.

"This is despite the enormous challenges we have all faced throughout the pandemic. I am immensely proud of our staff team.

"We are now very much on our way to realising our ambition of creating one of the best schools in Scotland.

"To me, the people of Cowdenbeath, Kelty, Hill of Beath, Crossgates and the surrounding area deserve excellence in their school – and that is what we will continually strive for."

Education Scotland inspectors initially visited the Cowdenbeath school in February 2019 where they identified a number of areas for improvement.

They returned last November to check what progress had been made and highlighted the "highly effective and supportive leadership" of Mr Ross as headteacher, and a clear and shared vision for achieving excellence for the young people at Beath High.

Inspectors reported significant improvement in relationships across the school community which had led to a "calm and purposeful" learning environment.

The school was recognised for the ways in which they supported young people during lockdown, and the return to school, with mental health given top priority.

Their report concluded: "Understandably, the school has been responding to the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"These have had a significant impact on the work of the school.

"Staff are implementing plans to support recovery and have addressed the areas for development from the original inspection successfully.

"As a result, we will make no more visits to the school in connection with the original inspection.”

Head of education and children's services at Fife Council, Shelagh McLean, commented on the "very positive findings" from the visit and congratulated the headteacher, staff team and young people at Beath High for their continued hard work.