Welcome to Kirkcaldy High; a happy, progressive and successful school in Fife, Scotland, with a long and proud tradition. Many of our former students have gone on to succeed on the world stage in economics, science, architecture, art, engineering, literature, history, music, sport and politics. Many more have gone on to live less obviously illustrious, but no less important, lives as decent, kind, respectful citizens of the world, trying their best.

The original “Burgh” school dates from 1582 with the “High School” name first established in the Nineteenth Century. Our present premises on Dunnikier Way were officially opened in 1958. In this century, our school has developed into a first class community campus well able to meet the needs of a diverse school population of almost 1400 students and our local community, which we proudly serve, and sometimes lead.

We are a modern school with the most up-to-date equipment and resources; a forward thinking learning community working with a wide range of community partners and employers.

In recent years, we have seen significant development of our facilities with the installation of all weather sports pitches which enhance the beautiful parkland grounds in which our school is set. We have also invested heavily in technology across the school – all classes benefit from having wifi, digital projection facilities or interactive whiteboards, and we also have several whole class computer spaces to support learning in all curricular areas. Our curriculum itself is innovative and challenging, with rights, fairness, enterprise and employability as key themes.

We are committed to serving the wider needs of our community, and to contributing to social improvement at national level. We were honoured to be the recipients of a COSLA EXCELLENCE AWARD on two occasions in recent years. The first was for our work in relation to teenage sexual health and pregnancy reduction. This recognised “exceptional achievement in exceptional circumstances” in the field of public services. This initiative also led to our being shortlisted as finalists in the “Health and Wellbeing” category in the Scottish Education Awards and the “Children’s Services” category of the “Municipal Journal” UK local government awards in London. In 2018, our LGBT Support Group received national recognition, winning the COSLA “President’s Award”. We were also honoured to be named as Radio Kingdom FM’s “Best School” in it’s “Local Hero” Awards in 2014 and 2019.

Our commitment to equality and diversity is demonstrated by our involvement in the Stonewall “Champions” programme, which led to an ambassador visit from Sir Ian McKellen. Our approaches to reducing prejudice and tackling bullying have been regarded as sector leading and we were invited to give evidence to the Scottish Parliament and received commendation in the House of Commons. The Scottish Government has also had KHS as part of the launch of its anti-bullying and “pupil voice” policies. In 2018, we were accorded UNICEF “Rights Respecting School” status and in December 2019, we became the first secondary school in Fife to meet the “Gold” standard. We were also one of the first state schools in Scotland to gain LGBT Youth Scotland “Gold” Charter status. Children’s rights matter a great deal at KHS.

Many people succeed and find happiness in life despite what happens to them in school. We strive to make that happen because of what happens in our school.

We have an ancient Latin motto. It is “Usque Conabor” and it compels us to try our best. Welcome to Kirkcaldy High School.

Derek Allan

RECTOR