Traditional skills a hit with Inverkeithing High School pupils

Published 19th October 2022

In September, pupils in S2 and S3 at Inverkeithing schools found the opportunity to trial sessions in traditional skills. Thanks to Fife Council’s Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration project, generously co-funded by Historic Environment Scotland and the National lottery Heritage Fund, pupils trialled four construction industry skills.

George Dunsire from East Fife Joinery demonstrated how to glaze a sash and case window, and how a door mortice lock works; Fife Council’s own heritage masonry squad helped the young people mark out and tool a limestone block. The key skill of trimming roof slates to size was led by John Fulton’s, currently working at the A-listed Inverkeithing Town House. Tyler Lott Johnson of Codaeh, showed pupils how an infra-red camera attached to an iPad can help highlight, and diagnose, building defects, while 3D scanning can speed up recording a historic building with great accuracy.

The taster skills sessions were organised by Emma Griffiths, Training and Development Officer at Fife Historic Building Trust, who work in partnership with Fife Council to deliver the 5-year heritage-driven regeneration project in Inverkeithing. Emma said “It was so inspiring working with the pupils, who were really keen as well as really able, and to offer a different kind of learning experience in school. Over a quarter of pupils said taking part had given them a more positive view of Inverkeithing. We were lucky that Jim Kinnell of Fife College also visited, and gave guidance on pathways – lucky, as over half the pupils participating said they’d consider a career in construction.

Rebecca Milne, Developing the Young Workforce co-ordinator at Inverkeithing high School, said “It’s been so good to see how well the pupils have engaged, and to find out how much they enjoyed it too. Great to have the whole school on board, and engaged with this great pupil opportunity”

A short film of the taster sessions was made, and can be viewed on You Tube here. Ruaridh Strachan, now completing his 4-year stone masonry apprenticeship with Fife Council, first tried stone masonry while at school in Cupar, in a parallel traditional skills taster event. Inverkeithing High School pupils might well find themselves demonstrating their skills in future!