Fife is located between the rivers of the Tay and the Forth in East Central Scotland covering an area of 1,325 square kilometres. By population, Fife Council is the third largest local authority, with 358,930 inhabitants. There are 175 publicly funded schools, including 142 primaries, 19 secondaries and 14 special schools. 48,700 pupils attend these schools, including 26,787 primary pupils, 21,795 secondary pupils and 118 special needs pupils.