Head’s exit rocks the community
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE TROUBLESHOOTING head teacher appointed to improve educational standards at Golspie High School and halt the haemorrhaging of pupils to Dornoch Academy, is leaving after just two and a half years in post.
Dr James Vance announced last week that he is moving at the end of next month to take up a new position as rector of Culloden Academy in Inverness.
The bombshell news has stunned and disappointed staff at Golspie High, as well as pupils, parents and the wider community
Parents were informed of his departure in a letter distributed last Friday. Dr Vance stated that he was leaving for a "variety of personal and professional reasons."
And he wrote that he was "genuinely sorry for any anxiety or concern" his departure might cause.
He added: "I will strive to ensure that the transition to a new leader is as smooth as possible."
He is set to take up his new post on 22nd October following the school break. Culloden Academy has a roll of 1150 pupils – almost four times the size of Golspie High School where pupil numbers have been steadily dropping.
The school roll is now under the 300 mark for the first time ever, with just 289 pupils – the same number as at Dornoch Academy.
In the 2011/12 academic year, 300 pupils were registered at Golspie High.
Area education chiefs were scheduled to meet with colleagues from Inverness yesterday (Thursday) to finalise arrangements for Dr Vance’s short-term replacement.
Forty-two-year old Dr Vance was appointed to Golspie High School in March 2010 amid deep-seated concerns about the school.
A damning HMI report in June 2008 uncovered "serious weaknesses" in the standard of education provided, with pupils performing below the national average.
The public perception of the education on offer at Golspie High was poor with a tidal wave of dissatisfied parents by-passing it to place their children at Dornoch Academy.
At the peak of the discontent, 10 per cent of pupils in Golspie’s catchment area attended school elsewhere.
Bill Irwin, rector at the school since 2002, was moved sideways in October 2009, taking on an administrative post with the education, culture and sport department.
An interim head teacher, Jim Steven of Invergordon Academy, filled in for around six months until Dr Vance, formerly depute-rector of Banff Academy, was appointed.
The school is seen as having made great strides under his leadership and it was finally given a clean bill of health by Education Inspectors in May last year.
Managing Inspector at HMIe Douglas Marr stated at the time that Dr Vance had given the school "a clear sense of direction and identified areas for improvementy."
It is also understood that the number of pupils from Golspie High’s catchment area seeking places elsewhere has slowed dramatically.
Golspie parent Graham Mackenzie’s older son has just left school and his younger son is in first year. He said the news of Dr Vance’s departure had come as a shock.
"It was a total surprise and it’s a sad day for the school because he has done an absolutely tremendous job," he said.
"It is a pity he is going so quickly but I can’t blame him. I just hope they will get someone in to replace him who will carry on the good work."
Fiona Bonner, of Golspie, has two daughters at the school, Lauren in 4th year and Lois in 1st year.
"We are disappointed and some of the kids have said Dr Vance promised to be there for them, but obviously he has had a better offer and he has his reasons for going," she said.
"The kids really like him and he has been very good for the school but there has been turmoil in recent years with all the different head teachers."
Chairman of Golspie High School’s parent council, Sarah Whealing, commented: "The parent council met on Monday night and gave Dr Vance our thanks for the huge progress the school has made since his arrival.
"Management systems are robust and we have every confidence that the school will continue to benefit from these during the transition period to a new head teacher.
"The parent council is committed to make another good appointment for the school and this is under way already. We wish Dr Vance all the best at Culloden Academy."
East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillor Deirdre Mackay said: "Since taking up the helm 30 months ago Dr Vance has led from the front and the school has made tremendous progress.
"Just how far it has come is evidenced by the recent exam results which were the best in five years and ranked high on national tables."
Councillor Mackay added: "Dr Vance is leaving the school in a very good position in terms of quality and management systems and staff have a solid base with which to go forward until an appointment is made."
She revealed that Education Director Hugh Fraser had confirmed additional senior support would be provided to Golspie High School in the meantime.
