Alness Academy headteacher puts family first as he stands down from 'extremely challenging' role

THE headteacher at an Easter Ross secondary school is standing down from the "extremely challenging" role so he can give more time to his young family.

Alness Academy headteacher Craig Paterson has confirmed his decision in a letter to parents and carers.

Highland Council had stepped in at the end of last month to make staffing changes "due to key members of staff being absent".

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The council, which says that it can't comment on personnel matters, announced last month that it would lead the school management team with the support of experienced senior staff with a focus on providing stability and supporting pupils and staff.

Mr Paterson said in a letter issued last week: "Over the past year it has become increasingly difficult for me to manage an extremely challenging role as headteacher alongside being a father to my two young boys. The workload and time commitment of the job have increasingly impacted the time and energy I can give my young family.

"Therefore I have...taken the very difficult decision to notify the local authority that I will not be returning to the role of headteacher at Alness Academy after Christmas and consequently will be moving to a post as depute headteacher within Highland Council.

"It has been the honour and privilege of my life to lead the school. I would like to thank you all for the warmth and support that you have shown me over the last three years. I would like to take this opportunity to wish the school community and our young people the very best for the future."

Mr Paterson took up the post in January 2021 having previously worked as depute head of Inverurie Academy in Aberdeenshire.

Highland Council said it couldn't comment on personnel matters but confirmed that it would be advertising the headteacher post in the new year.

It's understood the announcement was shared at a parent council meeting last week.

Earlier, a former headteacher at the school, Nicky Grant, who is now Highland Council's executive chief officer for education and learning, had moved to counter "negative rumours" about the situation at the secondary after the new leadership team was put in place.

She said at the end of last month: "I believe that there are negative rumours circulating in the community and I need to emphasise that these are based on false information and are untrue."

It was confirmed at that time that Tom Magowan has been placed in post as acting head teacher to lead the school; he has been seconded from his post as depute head teacher at Fortrose Academy and was previously acting head teacher at Grantown Grammar.

She said then: "I hope as parents and carers you will join us in supporting the school moving forward."

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