Dear Parent / Carer,
End of term letter July 2025
Welcome to the last letter / update of session 2024/25. I hope that you find the information contained in this letter useful. I hope that all young people and families have a safe, happy and enjoyable summer.
Highlights from the session
It has been another successful year for our young people and community. Below are some of the key highlights.
- Increased attendance this session from our young people, increasing by 5% over the past 2 years.
- Increase in the number of young people reporting that they feel safe in school, with over 97% reporting to feeling safe, up from below 90% in 2023.
- Increase in the number of leavers moving to a sustained positive destination (93.5%), now above the National average.
- In October 2024, we were awarded the Gold SCQF ambassador award, recognising the positive changes to our curriculum and the breadth of offer within the senior phase with increased courses available to young people at SCQF level 5 and 6.
- Greater opportunities for our young people outwith school – Fife College, Trade Hub, Work Experience and more available to our young people
- Development of our House Point system to recognise and celebrate the success of our young people with events taking place Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
- A very successful school show, showcasing the amazing talent of our young people on and behind the stage.
We have also collaborated and consulted with our community on our school Vision, Values and Aims. I am pleased to share with you our finalised VVA from session 2025/26 are:
Kirkcaldy High School – Vision, Values and Aims
Vision
At Kirkcaldy High School, our vision is to support every young person to develop their talents and strive to meet their potential—academically, emotionally, and socially—through high expectations, supportive relationships, and shared success. Founded in respect, inspired by ambition, and united in community, we live our motto: Usque Conabor — ‘I will strive to the utmost.’”
Dream big. Work hard. Be kind.
Values
- Community, Ambition, Respect
Aims
We aim to:
- Ensure that every young person’s rights and needs are met
- Support every young person to improve wellbeing and health
- Engage every young person in learning, regardless of barriers faced
- Maximise every young person’s potential and talent through improved attainment and achievement, including in literacy and numeracy.
- Support every young person to gain the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in a positive destination after school.
Next session, we will continue to work with you, young people and staff to implement and embed our new Vision, Values and Aims.
School Improvement Plan and Pupil Equity Fund update
Following feedback from all stakeholders, our draft school improvement priorities are:
- Improving attainment of our middle 60% of learners through improved curriculum experiences and focused attainment and achievement interventions
- Learners will increase engagement, participation and leadership in learning, leading to an increase in confidence, motivation and achievement through digital technology and embedded KHS Learning Standard
- Ensuring a Rights-based approach to supporting young people, underpinned by our shared Vision, Values and Aims and leadership at all levels
Please find online our overview of School Improvement Plan and updated achievements for this session.
Our full draft School Improvement Plan, Pupil Equity Fund Plan and Standards and Quality Report are available on our school website (School Structure, and Improvement |).
As ever, we would love to hear from you on these documents. Please share your views.
SQA Results and Appeals
Young people who sat SQA examinations and / or undertook qualifications will receive their results on Tuesday 5th August 2025. Certificates will arrive on 5 August and if your child signed up for MySQA they will get their results by text or email on 5 August too.
Please see a letter from Mrs Davidson regarding information around SQA appeals, including key dates.
We wish all the very best for results day. As ever, we will be here to help and support any young person / family as required.
Changes of courses / qualifications (S5/6)
Following young people receiving their results, some may decide to re-negotiate their option choices for session 2025/26. We would ask anyone who wishes to discuss a change to their courses, to meet with us prior to the start of the new term. Further information about this will be sent to relevant families at the beginning of August but this will take place on Wednesday, 6th August 2025. Mrs Hamilton and other Senior Leaders will be on hand to support.
Cost of the School Day
To support families, we have put together an information sheet, highlighting the many ways we try to keep the costs of school down. Moreover, we have added information and supports that families can access. Our Pupil Support Officer, Jayne Preece, works during the summer holidays and can support with applications for financial entitlements. If you wish to contact her, email us.
Uniform
Next session, we will continue to work towards all young people following our uniform policy. Please find a poster to help families with planning for the new term. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Next session, young people in S1-6 will receive an iPad. It is important that this is stored and transported to and from school safely. You may wish to consider a bag or other for your young person if they do not already carry a school bag to school.
Lastly, if you have any pre-loved uniform that you wish to donate, please hand in to reception. This will be added to our uniform bank to support others.
KHS PACK Update
A massive thank you to Laura Frew for being the chair of KHS PACK over the past year. Laura has done a great job representing the views of families and supporting the school community.
Susan Watson is the new Chair of KHS Parent / Carer Council. I will share more information about meetings and contact information in the new term.
Friends of Kirkcaldy High School (FoKHS)
Please find a flyer for the FoKHS race night on 7 November 2025.
Staffing updates
New staff
I am pleased to update you that we have completed our recruitment for next session. We are pleased to welcome the following staff to KHS from 18th August:
- Mhairi Stewart – PT Supported Learning
- Viktoria Fedor-Szabo – Teacher of Maths
- Jennifer Taylor – Teacher of RME
- Rachel Thomson – Teacher of BGE
- Kyle Morrice – Teacher of Physics
- Monika Solowczuk – Teacher of Physics
- Angela Brown – Pupil Support Officer
Fond Farewell
As ever, at this time of year we say goodbye to a number of staff who are moving on from KHS. They are:
- Neil Fleming – PTC Science, Retiring
- Debbie McNab – Admin, Retiring
- Alex Grubb – Teacher of Maths, leaving to start a career out of teaching
- Ray Somerville – Teacher of RME, moving to a new RME post at Queen Anne High School
- Jill Logan – Teacher SL, moving on to increased hours within her current primary school
- Ruth Lawson – Teacher of Maths, after returning following retirement, Ruth is looking to spend time with family but may be back to support us in the future
- Keira Cummings – PSA, moving to be an EYO
Vehicular Access – School Grounds
Following recent Health and Safety review we have amended access around the school building. This includes:
- No vehicular access to the quad area outside main school door between 8am and 4pm. Only exception will be emergency response vehicles or deliveries managed by school janitorial team when safe to do so.
- No vehicular access to the bus lane at break and lunch time.
- Cars should only park in designated parking areas around the school. This includes staff and visitor car parks.
- Pupils are reminded of their responsibilities and should not access car parks, except when using pedestrian pathways as indicated or under supervision from staff.
All key information is contained in our key information page.
Finally, we hope all our young people and families have a great summer and we look forward to welcoming all young people back to KHS on Wednesday, 20th August 2025.
Best wishes,
Chris McKay
Rector
