Retail role set me up for teaching career
Welcome to the latest instalment of the Our People series. This week Mark Pirie speaks to Strathaven Academy head teacher Kevin Boyd.
“I was in retail for almost four years,” he revealed. “What I would say about that is that there was really good quality training in leadership and management.
“I think that has stood me in good stead for education.
“What it also helped develop was people skills and that is essential in teaching when you are teaching a class, working with pupils or talking with parents or staff.
“When I was at school I really enjoyed mathematics.
“My maths teacher – Mr Good – I can still remember him clearly. He was quite inspirational.
“It’s often the case when you come into the profession that there is somebody who has made a difference.
“Even though I went into retail management in the first instance, I think I always had teaching in the back of my mind.
“It came to a point in my life where I was enjoying retail but every time you get promoted in retail you get moved.
“I was working from the north of England to the north of Scotland; so if you want to settle down and have a family it can be difficult.”
Mr Boyd says ensuring the school performs well is a team effort but admits the students are class acts.
“The pupils are outstanding,” he continued. “I’m so proud of our pupils and visitors who come to Strathaven are always impressed by our young people.
“They achieve the best they can and that’s all you can ever ask of a youngster.
“It’s a great place to work with a tremendous staff. It’s a very high-attaining school and there are high expectations for all of our young people..
“There is a real learning community with the primary schools in the area and parents and local residents are very supportive working with us.”
Right now Mr Boyd’s focus is two-fold – helping students do well in their exam and planning for the 2018/19 school year.
“It can be a busy time,” he said. “We want them to get the best exit qualification they can.
“But for me just now there is already a lot of planning for school improvement, staffing and timetables for next year.”
And he hopes his tenure will see Strathaven Academy remain at the “heart of the community”.
“I see my job as making sure that everyone in Strathaven knows about the success of the school and celebrate that across South Lanarkshire and Scotland,” he said.
“There is a lot of brilliant work that goes on by the pupils and we want people to know about it.” 2202183boyd_05