THE report that went before Cowdenbeath Area Committee of the success of the School Engagement Officer initiative at Beath High School could signal the way forward for other secondary schools in Fife to benefit from similar initiatives.

The influence of PC Calum McDougall at Beath, and also Louise Wallace who has joined Calum at the Cowdenbeath school until the end of the year, was welcomed by councillors.

The role of the Engagement Officers in promoting positive behaviour and the support for parents and carers they offer, certainly has has made a major impact at Beath in giving the school staff important backing.

PC McDougall's focussed work with young offenders and their families to identify appropriate ways of addressing offending behaviour and provide support to victims of youth crime, was featured in the report to the Area Committee.

Clearly this sort of posting could be something which could help the pupils and staff at Lochgelly High School in this area, but it is also a role which would be a positive advantage for all of Fife's 19 secondary schools.

The mechanism which has led to Beath High having a school engagement officer is one that could work for LHS and other schools in the county and hopefully it can be looked at for a positive way ahead for schools and communities.