See all schools in Inverkeithing
Inverkeithing High School
Secondary · Maintained · Inverkeithing
"I wish I knew about this website when I was about to choose School"
Lisa, parent
"Finally, one can access the opinions of other students completely transparently."
Fredrik, student
Get access to exclusive content, available only on SchoolParrot!
1 month
£2.99
First month. Then £4.99 / month
1 year
£19
Best valueFirst year. Then £39 / year.
For Schools and school staff
Do you work as a principal or school staff? Take control of your SchoolParrot profile. Click here
Avoid this school
No support for pupils experiencing sensory issues. Some staff members will physically bully children; you'll be bodily blocked in corridors by older female members of staff in an attempt to coerse and control frightened children. You will be locked in rooms by yourself because teachers have no training in sensory and mental health issues. You will be bodily grabbed by male teachers then you and your child will be gaslit by senior members of staff that these events did not happen. Bullying by other pupils is also rife with zero discipline for the perpetrator. DO NOT SEND A CHILD WITH SENSORY PROCESSING ISSUES TO THIS SCHOOL. It will severely damage their mental health.
A Good School, A Poor Building
I'm now in my final year (S6) of school here and I thought that I'd try to write a fair and honest review of my time at Inverkeithing High School. I honestly feel like most of the reviews of this school are completely unfair, and it seems to have become the 'cool' thing to hate on the school. This, however, leaves an unfair that impression of what the school is actually like.
Teachers
This is the aspect of the school that I think is by far the best. I struggle to think of any teachers who were unable to properly teach their subject. Teaching standard has been especially high in my exam years. There are obviously teachers whose own 'style' does not agree with me, but it has rarely come to the detriment of my learning. I feel that IHS has a mostly strong set of departments which are competently run. I think that special congratulations should go to 'Social Subjects and RMPS' as they feel genuinely on top of all of their students and courses. I genuinely believe that the quality of teaching is very high at Inverkeithing and I have been able to achieve good grades in my SQA exams.
School Lunches / Cafeteria
I have to say a good word about the catering staff at this school. They are always kind and polite, and getting lunch is always something I find enjoyable. The quality of food at the school is fair, it's nothing special, but it's not to unhealthy. The main meals are of generally high quality, and you can always get pasta and other heated meals if you so desire. The only stumbling block for school lunches is that it feels like the serving area is not large enough for the student body. There are always large queues for lunch and they can run out of certain things.
Array of Courses Offered.
The school offers a wide range of SQA courses and you can take most subjects to Higher level. The choices for Advanced Higher are far more like muted however, although most large departments are able to run advanced higher courses most years. (Computing Science classes have not been run consistently in the time I have been at the school) Although many teachers may slow you to 'self-teach' a subject and sit the exams with personal support, especially if it is important for a career choice.
The Building Itself.
This has been spoken about to death, but the school building is in bad condition. It is 51 years old, and has suffered much damage over the years. The toilets (male at least) are in bad condition and usually best avoiding. It is also common for glass to be smashed although the janitorial staff are good at replacing broken windows quickly. The school is however, usually in bad condition, despite the janitors best efforts.
Communication & Organisation
The final topic I'd like to touch on is the schools communication with parents. This is by far the schools worst area. They are slow to communicate with parents and it feels like they are constantly apologising for some mistake that they have made. This is probably the most frustrating part of being a student. Should you encounter a problem during your time at the school ot usually take a long time to get it resolved. This is especially common with relevance to timetabling. (In my three exam years, I have always had timetable issues which have needed resolution).
Overall, Inverkeithing High School is a good place to send your children. The school offers a variety of courses and generally good teaching. The clear downsides here are the Schools communication and the school building itself. I would say that there is no reason to avoid this school specifically. It feels like most of the staff do the best with what they're given and you get used to the schools quirks pretty quickly.
Teachers
This is the aspect of the school that I think is by far the best. I struggle to think of any teachers who were unable to properly teach their subject. Teaching standard has been especially high in my exam years. There are obviously teachers whose own 'style' does not agree with me, but it has rarely come to the detriment of my learning. I feel that IHS has a mostly strong set of departments which are competently run. I think that special congratulations should go to 'Social Subjects and RMPS' as they feel genuinely on top of all of their students and courses. I genuinely believe that the quality of teaching is very high at Inverkeithing and I have been able to achieve good grades in my SQA exams.
School Lunches / Cafeteria
I have to say a good word about the catering staff at this school. They are always kind and polite, and getting lunch is always something I find enjoyable. The quality of food at the school is fair, it's nothing special, but it's not to unhealthy. The main meals are of generally high quality, and you can always get pasta and other heated meals if you so desire. The only stumbling block for school lunches is that it feels like the serving area is not large enough for the student body. There are always large queues for lunch and they can run out of certain things.
Array of Courses Offered.
The school offers a wide range of SQA courses and you can take most subjects to Higher level. The choices for Advanced Higher are far more like muted however, although most large departments are able to run advanced higher courses most years. (Computing Science classes have not been run consistently in the time I have been at the school) Although many teachers may slow you to 'self-teach' a subject and sit the exams with personal support, especially if it is important for a career choice.
The Building Itself.
This has been spoken about to death, but the school building is in bad condition. It is 51 years old, and has suffered much damage over the years. The toilets (male at least) are in bad condition and usually best avoiding. It is also common for glass to be smashed although the janitorial staff are good at replacing broken windows quickly. The school is however, usually in bad condition, despite the janitors best efforts.
Communication & Organisation
The final topic I'd like to touch on is the schools communication with parents. This is by far the schools worst area. They are slow to communicate with parents and it feels like they are constantly apologising for some mistake that they have made. This is probably the most frustrating part of being a student. Should you encounter a problem during your time at the school ot usually take a long time to get it resolved. This is especially common with relevance to timetabling. (In my three exam years, I have always had timetable issues which have needed resolution).
Overall, Inverkeithing High School is a good place to send your children. The school offers a variety of courses and generally good teaching. The clear downsides here are the Schools communication and the school building itself. I would say that there is no reason to avoid this school specifically. It feels like most of the staff do the best with what they're given and you get used to the schools quirks pretty quickly.
not good
bad but good smoke spots like
Horrible Looking Place
my experience at this school has been bad the school looks old and run down and if i didnt know it was a HS i would have thought it was a prison its an alright school tho but it has to be one star for me
This is so bad
This school is so bad so dirty
🗣💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
head teacher is a beast who ragdolls students for fun and then touches their tits 😁 luv luv luv this place 🗣💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
shite
it’s shite don’t come here
Dissapointed
I have two children in the Inverkeithing High and I am extremely disappointed with the school on all possible levels. They’ve let me and my children down on so many occasion, there doesn’t seem to be any system for communication with the parents, phone calls and emails are ignored, leaving parents and pupils helpless. I heard shocking stories from other parents how they have been treated by the school, many parents had to move their children to different school because they felt nobody cared.
all
amazing????
do not let your kids enter this school its honestly so bad some teachers don't care what you do and ruins the teaching aspect roof collapses and leaks and no doors on toilets
God almighty
Mate this school is dogshite. We have bubbles in the ceiling from leakage and everything is falling apart. The ceiling is gone in loads of parts of the school and the way teachers handle things is rank
Bathrooms? Oh pal hold your breath it always stinks of piss and gunk and the toilets haven’t been cleaned in around probably 5 years.
Get it sorted because it makes me want to end my life every time I go there, but it’s fine because the school will let me because they don’t give a rats arse about mental health and all that
Anyway best English teacher is Spokes
Bathrooms? Oh pal hold your breath it always stinks of piss and gunk and the toilets haven’t been cleaned in around probably 5 years.
Get it sorted because it makes me want to end my life every time I go there, but it’s fine because the school will let me because they don’t give a rats arse about mental health and all that
Anyway best English teacher is Spokes
the school is bad lol
they do not meet needs. the head teacher picks and chooses who he wants to like he assumes people don’t have stuff wrong with them when infact they do!
idk
Its not great
Covid
The school never handled the pandemic vey well at all. masks were hardly ever worn and the sanitizer was thrown about all the time.
I was appalled to walk around the corner at bottom bridge and find a destroyed bottle of sanitizer plastered on the floor.
Staff
The staff here have ups and downs but some are amazing. Others don't seem like they want you to succeed at all. Some will teach you one thing and the next day or week they tell you the opposite.
The exam results are saving this school at the moment and even then they aren't great.
Online learning
The school handled online learning horribly. Students were expected to be swamped in 100 slide powerpoints, finish them and do homework on top of that. it was ridiculous. Most students were working till 5 or 6pm just to be fully caught up in their learning
thanks for reading
The school never handled the pandemic vey well at all. masks were hardly ever worn and the sanitizer was thrown about all the time.
I was appalled to walk around the corner at bottom bridge and find a destroyed bottle of sanitizer plastered on the floor.
Staff
The staff here have ups and downs but some are amazing. Others don't seem like they want you to succeed at all. Some will teach you one thing and the next day or week they tell you the opposite.
The exam results are saving this school at the moment and even then they aren't great.
Online learning
The school handled online learning horribly. Students were expected to be swamped in 100 slide powerpoints, finish them and do homework on top of that. it was ridiculous. Most students were working till 5 or 6pm just to be fully caught up in their learning
thanks for reading
awful
bulling? mental health? no school doesn’t care. need hand dryers? nope someone stole them and hid them in a bush. hand sanitiser? more like watery vinegar. need pencils or jotters? schools doesn’t even have enough for 6 weeks. no one actually wears masks or uses the hand sanitiser. it usually ends up being thrown around. DO NOT come here
Pretty funny
Outdated building, nothing works, terrible organisation (like ridiculously bad)
Funny to watch though so could be worse
Most teachers are nice and our exam results are pretty good
Funny to watch though so could be worse
Most teachers are nice and our exam results are pretty good
Awful
Some teachers are really nice, others are ******** ********.
If you have any issue with bullying or mental health you don't get taken seriously.
Covid was handled awfully, hardly anything happened in regards to online classes or even work being sent out, yet when everyone got back we were expected to know everything?
The management team definitely need better communication with everyone else, students get told one thing and staff get told the opposite.
Buildings falling apart, parts of the ceiling has fallen down in classes in the past which is really dangerous.
If you have any issue with bullying or mental health you don't get taken seriously.
Covid was handled awfully, hardly anything happened in regards to online classes or even work being sent out, yet when everyone got back we were expected to know everything?
The management team definitely need better communication with everyone else, students get told one thing and staff get told the opposite.
Buildings falling apart, parts of the ceiling has fallen down in classes in the past which is really dangerous.
Some of the best exam results from here but eh.
Teachers
Honestly it's hit or miss with teachers. Some are really good and care about you and actually want you to succeed. Others don't really care about you just getting through the curriculum and are bit ridiculous on rules. For example, not me personally but a classmate once got told by a teacher in a sarcastic, judmental and undermining tone, "Your parents must be so proud of you." which I found absolutely appauling cause they don't the kid's background and they were quite quick to judge them.
There are some really funny teachers.
Building
The building is litterly falling apart and if weren't for Woodmill burning down, the new school would probably be being built. Who ever came up with the idea of building it in the shape of a tractor is honestly a little insane. It's a school not a farm. The bathrooms are absolutely disgusting and apparently it's because over half a decade ago they got new bathrooms and some of the students destroyed it and even though anyone who could've done it is gone the council will not give us new bathrooms.
Covid
The school hasn't had many covid cases yet. But they're handiling over online learning was awful. People were stressed and swamped. They gave us homework on top of school and we were all working until 5pm just to get it done. And they didn't even support us very well when we came back with the work we missed and didn't understand that for tgd majority of us the work went in one ear and out the other.
Honestly it's hit or miss with teachers. Some are really good and care about you and actually want you to succeed. Others don't really care about you just getting through the curriculum and are bit ridiculous on rules. For example, not me personally but a classmate once got told by a teacher in a sarcastic, judmental and undermining tone, "Your parents must be so proud of you." which I found absolutely appauling cause they don't the kid's background and they were quite quick to judge them.
There are some really funny teachers.
Building
The building is litterly falling apart and if weren't for Woodmill burning down, the new school would probably be being built. Who ever came up with the idea of building it in the shape of a tractor is honestly a little insane. It's a school not a farm. The bathrooms are absolutely disgusting and apparently it's because over half a decade ago they got new bathrooms and some of the students destroyed it and even though anyone who could've done it is gone the council will not give us new bathrooms.
Covid
The school hasn't had many covid cases yet. But they're handiling over online learning was awful. People were stressed and swamped. They gave us homework on top of school and we were all working until 5pm just to get it done. And they didn't even support us very well when we came back with the work we missed and didn't understand that for tgd majority of us the work went in one ear and out the other.
dont reccomend
meh not recommended at all
it’s an semi-decent school
I’ve got to admit - the school has its ups and downs. Many of the staff here are amazing, will bend over backwards to help pupils. Especially the Support For Learning Team - e.g PTC of learning support, PSA’s and PSO’s - you can usually have a good laugh with these people. However, on the flip side you have certain staff members who don’t care about their pupils, who will not listen to pupils issues - if something major is going on at home they don’t care. They’re really just in it for the money.
The building is a little outdated although it shouldn’t matter as it’s due a rebuild in the next decade or so. Some bad leaks on top bridge when it’s raining, sometimes in science labs as-well. Heating either works or it doesn’t and it’s either freezing or sweating.
The guidance team are okay, depending on what house you’re in. Some houses have better than others. However, if you establish a good relationship with guidance you’re basically set for the rest of your school career. Although, bullying or teasing - more or less teasing - aren’t dealt with well. Mental health issues and other out of school issues can sometimes be dealt with to a minimal degree of acceptance.
Let’s not forget to mention the Senior Leadership Team - who for the most part are actually pretty decent despite what everyone says. There are still one or two who let’s just say aren’t for the laughs or jokes. The majority of the SLT will help you if you need it.
Overall, the education you receive here is actually pretty decent, the teaching staff for the majority are okay and the SLT are pretty okay aswell. Obviously no school is perfect and this school is no different, and some things could change for the better.
The building is a little outdated although it shouldn’t matter as it’s due a rebuild in the next decade or so. Some bad leaks on top bridge when it’s raining, sometimes in science labs as-well. Heating either works or it doesn’t and it’s either freezing or sweating.
The guidance team are okay, depending on what house you’re in. Some houses have better than others. However, if you establish a good relationship with guidance you’re basically set for the rest of your school career. Although, bullying or teasing - more or less teasing - aren’t dealt with well. Mental health issues and other out of school issues can sometimes be dealt with to a minimal degree of acceptance.
Let’s not forget to mention the Senior Leadership Team - who for the most part are actually pretty decent despite what everyone says. There are still one or two who let’s just say aren’t for the laughs or jokes. The majority of the SLT will help you if you need it.
Overall, the education you receive here is actually pretty decent, the teaching staff for the majority are okay and the SLT are pretty okay aswell. Obviously no school is perfect and this school is no different, and some things could change for the better.
It’s really bad
Every time you go and report something it’s like no one believes you and NOTHING gets done about it and i personal don’t feel safe there at all
Extraordinarily Average
So, as a bit of a departure from the huge comedy of the other "reviews". Here's an actually, somewhat justified review from someone who's been here a while.
For starters, yeah the pandemic response is pretty shocking. By in large, no one wears masks because in the halls, no one really stops you with a few exceptions, not to mention the fact that masks are only "mandatory" for walking around halls, not the 50-100 minutes you spend literally face to face with people in class. Janitors doing god's work though, cleaning the doors like damn clockwork.
Building -
Depending on where you go, the school building varies in its quality. Underfloor heating in the DET department is pretty nice in the colder months, but wander across to the upper floors and it can be arctic.
The implementation of security locks on every entrance in theory is a good idea, but immediately undermines itself when the doors literally 20 feet to the left of the main entrance stay permanently open for the dining halls, giving basically unchecked access. Also pretty leaky.
Classes/Teachers -
There's really no one answer to this part as it varies broadly. A class is only ever as good as it's teacher(personal gripes withstanding). And thusly you can't really give an overarching appraisal. DET/Physics being generally well staffed, Social Studies are a hit and miss similarly to languages. Maths has some quality but also a shadow or two. My point is, no matter what subjects you, take, you're really riding on what teacher you get and I'd call it a 50/50 honestly.
Food-
I'll leave a pause here for you to ponder the idea of whether *any* school has good food. Go down the road, support your local business.
Bullying -
Not quite so much "bullying" as it is just aggressiveness. Noone really gets excluded, they just kind of get shunned into another social clique and it's left at that. And fights aren't really a product of bullying as it is a product of the younger years thinking they're hot spit on a cheerleader's back tattoos.
School Culture -
Effectively any student either lives fully independent of this "culture" or swan dives right into it. The general feeling of superiority to your superiors isn't uncommon amongst a lot of the younger years. Generally very arrogant holier than thou behaviour. Though I don't want to be misconstrued when I say uncommon. I do not mean in anyway that this is a majority. Its just something you see pretty often. Probably not something you can critique the school on; every school has its mentally challenged demographic.
Conclusion -
Whelmingly middle of the road. Has its ups and downs. Some teachers make your day worth living and some make the week slog along. Building isn't great but it's being replaced within the decade. Surrounding area isn't fantastic. Not terrible. Not great either.
What a waste of thumb strength when literally no one will read this.
For starters, yeah the pandemic response is pretty shocking. By in large, no one wears masks because in the halls, no one really stops you with a few exceptions, not to mention the fact that masks are only "mandatory" for walking around halls, not the 50-100 minutes you spend literally face to face with people in class. Janitors doing god's work though, cleaning the doors like damn clockwork.
Building -
Depending on where you go, the school building varies in its quality. Underfloor heating in the DET department is pretty nice in the colder months, but wander across to the upper floors and it can be arctic.
The implementation of security locks on every entrance in theory is a good idea, but immediately undermines itself when the doors literally 20 feet to the left of the main entrance stay permanently open for the dining halls, giving basically unchecked access. Also pretty leaky.
Classes/Teachers -
There's really no one answer to this part as it varies broadly. A class is only ever as good as it's teacher(personal gripes withstanding). And thusly you can't really give an overarching appraisal. DET/Physics being generally well staffed, Social Studies are a hit and miss similarly to languages. Maths has some quality but also a shadow or two. My point is, no matter what subjects you, take, you're really riding on what teacher you get and I'd call it a 50/50 honestly.
Food-
I'll leave a pause here for you to ponder the idea of whether *any* school has good food. Go down the road, support your local business.
Bullying -
Not quite so much "bullying" as it is just aggressiveness. Noone really gets excluded, they just kind of get shunned into another social clique and it's left at that. And fights aren't really a product of bullying as it is a product of the younger years thinking they're hot spit on a cheerleader's back tattoos.
School Culture -
Effectively any student either lives fully independent of this "culture" or swan dives right into it. The general feeling of superiority to your superiors isn't uncommon amongst a lot of the younger years. Generally very arrogant holier than thou behaviour. Though I don't want to be misconstrued when I say uncommon. I do not mean in anyway that this is a majority. Its just something you see pretty often. Probably not something you can critique the school on; every school has its mentally challenged demographic.
Conclusion -
Whelmingly middle of the road. Has its ups and downs. Some teachers make your day worth living and some make the week slog along. Building isn't great but it's being replaced within the decade. Surrounding area isn't fantastic. Not terrible. Not great either.
What a waste of thumb strength when literally no one will read this.
Honest
Want to wash your hands? No, you cant, no dryers, no water, no soap, hand sanitizer I hear you ask, more like a purified pack of salt and vinegar walkers. It's fine though cause you only wear masks when you get caught by big nic or ian
terrible
terrible, no soap, leaky roof, smashed doors and windows
Absolutely awful
Awful, don't go here it horrific. No soap even during a pandemic.
Hillend Road, KY11 1PL, Inverkeithing
01383 602403
About SchoolParrot
- SchoolParrot is a review site for schools. We are a company that believes in more transparency within schools. Our platform is open to all users.
Read about SchoolParrot and our company - Reviews are published in real-time without moderation and we want to encourage our users to provide constructive feedback and keep a serious tone. The responsibility lies with the user.
Read our review guidelines