Free school tie for every Levenmouth Academy pupil

The funding was agreedby members of Levenmouth Area Committee last week for the school’s first intake, which is expected to number up to 1800 pupils.

Councillor John O’Brien said: “I’m all for this, especially at the start of the Academy.

“It’s really important that the kids get an equal opportunity to go to school smartly on the first day.”

The new school, which amalgamates both Buckhaven and Kirkland, will be one of the largest in Scotland.

Pupils have been involved in designing the new school badge and tie.

A competition was run with pupils voting by secret ballot for their favourite design from a shortlist, picked from more than 300 entries by the New School Liaison Group.

The winners were Rachel Brown who designed the badge and block-colour plain tie.

Also Abby Falconer who designed the blue striped tie.

A colours tie, based around the two winning designs, will also be produced.

Levenmouth Area Committee members also agreed that £2440 from the fund will be reserved to provide complete uniform packages for families on limited incomes.

Parents in receipt of benfits can make an application for a clothing grant through the Fife Direct website and payments are normally available from early June.

Councillor Tom Adams, chair of the committee, said: “Every child is going to the school equal from the very start. I think it’s tremendous for the area.

He added: “It’s a brilliant initiative – I only wish we could do more .”

The school, currently under construction by BAM, will be run by Kirkland’s rector Ronnie Ross.