Our People

Strathaven Academy head teacher Kevin Boyd insists he is loving life in the town.

Mr Boyd moved to the Avondale high school eight months ago having previously worked at Prestwick Academy in South Ayrshire where he was head of maths, depute head teacher while also spending a year as acting head teacher.

He made the switch to Strathaven Academy in June 2017 after 12 years and admits taking charge of a school has always been an ambition – even when he was working for supermarket giant Sainsbury’s.

“I knew about Strathaven,” the dad-of-four said. “Education is a relatively small place; everyone knows one another.

“I knew the school has a superb reputation and have passed through the town a few times. It seemed like a very close-knit community; and a fantastic community.”

He is still getting used to life in South Lanarkshire – but is keen to put himself to the public eye.

“I’m out and about at intervals and lunchtimes and make sure I’m supervising and talking to pupils and getting to know them that way,” Mr Boyd said.

“I had set myself a target of getting to visit all the classes in the school before

Christmas – even if it was only for five minutes.

“It’s the same in the local community. Yesterday I popped into some shops during lunch time, speaking to locals and keeping an eye on litter.

“It’s important that people can see me and recognise me.

“The senior team are also very good at that and they will quite often check up with local residents.”

Mr Boyd studied maths and business at university before working in retail as a graduate trainee for Sainsbury’s.

Despite enjoying that, he hoped to one day return to education – after he was inspired by his own former teacher.