A high school is set to launch a student-run coffee shop project.

Beath High School in Cowdenbeath has received a £10,000 donation from ExxonMobil Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP) to fund a course that will see students start their own community-driven coffee shop project.

The school has collaborated with FEP to launch the Beath Barista programme, a hospitality course that will provide students with hands-on learning and a Barista Level 5 vocational qualification.

FEP has funded all the equipment required for the course, including a coffee machine and grinder, coffee cart, staff training, and crockery.

Aimee Anwender, an S6 student at Beath High School, said: "This is a brilliant opportunity for myself and my classmates, and we’ve really enjoyed learning in a practical environment so far.

"The course opens up so many opportunities for us and helps us develop essential skills as we prepare for the workforce.

"It feels like a hugely positive step towards our futures - one coffee at a time."

Lorraine Thomson, DYW co-ordinator at Beath High School, said: "We are excited to see the programme not only serve as a learning platform but also as a springboard for our students into part-time employment and future career paths in hospitality.

"This support from FEP is invaluable, and we look forward to the positive outcomes it will bring to our students and the broader community."

The school plans to extend the impact of this initiative through various community engagement efforts, including collaboration with local businesses to boost work experience opportunities, regular coffee mornings to address social isolation and mental health, and support for local families with essential services such as housing and employability skills.

Toby Hamblin, plant manager at Fife Ethylene Plant, said: "As a local employer, we understand the challenges young people face in gaining the skills needed to progress in their careers.

"We’re proud to support Beath High School with this initiative and we are committed to investing in local education.

"By working together, we can help create more opportunities for the next generation."