Councillors will discuss what has been termed A New Map of Secondary Education for Fife at a Children’s Services Committee meeting on Thursday.

The new map has been drawn-up with key factors in mind.

Although the secondary school population across Fife is projected to decline by seven percent by 2016, the council’s Draft Structure Plan has a stated aspiration to grow the overall population of Fife by five percent over the next 21 years.

It has been estimated that £250 million will be required to bring the council’s secondary schools up to standard, with a further £100 million for primary schools.

A full strategic review of primary schools needs will be undertaken once council members have agreed on the future of secondary school buildings.

With a maximum capacity of 640 and a school roll of 420, Viewforth High falls short of the 800-1400 capacity range the council is aiming for.

In his committee report, Mr Stewart has graded both the school’s overall condition and suitability as “poor” and notes there is a high level of movement to other catchment areas due to successful placing requests.

The general demand for school places in Kirkcaldy is high — with Balwearie High’s roll of 1650 being 250 above the council’s limit — and Mr Stewart has recommended a new school for the area.

Dunfermline High, which operates with a roll above 1700, has also been declared “poor” in terms of its condition and suitability and councillors will be asked to approve plans to rebuild the school.

Mr Stewart believes a new school is required both around the Forth Bridgehead and in North East Fife to support future housing developments.

In St Andrews, he has concluded that Madras College should be based on a single site at Kilrymont, with the South Street campus being closed.

It is predicted that the planning and consultation procedures for these developments would be completed by 2011.

Over the next 12 years, £40 million would be invested to bring all Fife secondary schools up to satisfactory condition.

Mr Stewart has stressed that schools should be placed at the heart of their communities and provide a range of services.

He said, “It is self-evident that the resources available in secondary, primary and nursery schools should be put to best use outwith the hours of statutory education.

“There is scope for further partnership working with Community Services, NHS, Social Work Service, and other partners, including further and higher education colleges and universities and childcare agencies.”

Describing the scale of investment required as “very ambitious”, Mr Stewart said the council will need to “develop a cocktail of funding packages”, including Scottish Executive grants, PPP (public private partnership) arrangements and property developer contributions.

Mr Stewart said, “Fife Council should redraw a map of secondary education.

“This is necessary to address the changing demographics, the aspirations of parents and communities, as well as the change in work patterns.

“Whilst the scale of the investment proposed is very challenging, it is believed that a funding package can be put together that will enable ambition to be turned into reality.

“Measures are now being put into place to examine in detail the potential funding opportunities available to support the assessed investment needs.”