Principal steps aside for review
- Adam Smith College principal Craig Thomson (pictured left) is standing aside from his role temporarily, for the duration of an independent review by the Scottish Funding Council into allegations of bullying at the college. He said this would allow the SFC to proceed with its review, which should conclude in about two weeks, without any suggestion of direction from him. The move follows calls for Mr Thomson’s resignation after an anonymously-run website raised accusations against him and other senior staff.
Education director retires
- The last remaining education director to have steered a council through local government reorganisation in 1996 has retired. Donald MacKay, a former primary head, took the job in Midlothian in 1995. The council praised him for improving attainment levels and the building of 15 schools. Provost Adam Montgomery was particularly keen to thank Mr MacKay for his “brilliant” contribution to the school building programme.
Five-star award for excellence
- Fife’s education service has been given a five-star Recognised for Excellence award by Sir Andrew Cubie, chair of Quality Scotland. The award recognises very high performance and provides a chance to learn from the best performers in the public and private sectors across the continent. The assessment team looked at areas such as leadership and partnership-working.
Top-notch report from HMIE
- Our Lady and St Patrick’s High in Dumbarton has earned one of the best HMIE reports in Scotland. The school was rated “excellent” - the highest possible assessment - in three categories and “very good” in the other two. Inspectors praised the outstanding leadership of head Charles Rooney. The school’s leadership development programme was highlighted as good practice. West Dunbartonshire Council said the school’s success was remarkable, as it is in one of the authority’s most deprived areas.
Correction
- In last week’s Subscriber of the Week, a picture of a previous contributor, Cara Aitchison, wrongly appeared alongside answers from Gillian Aitchison. Also, a picture caption on page 5 referred to St Paul the Apostle High, West Dunbartonshire; the name of the school is St Peter the Apostle High. TESS apologises for any misunderstanding.
