Last day at high school for Barry
The head teacher of Arran High School Barry Smith leaves his desk for the last time today (Friday).
Mr Smith, who has been the head teacher for five and half years, had told pupils and parents that he was leaving in early March but with the subsequent closure of the school during lockdown it was then not clear just when he would leave. He has taken up the post of head teacher of the Northwest Community Campus, a school with pupils aged two to 18 in Dumfries.
He first took up his post on Arran in August 2014 following his promotion to head teacher. Married to wife Karen, he and his family came to Arran from Kilwinning Academy where he was a depute head teacher. He brought new ideas and working practices into the school and built positive relationships with the community. He has supported many activities in the school, including school shows, concerts, fashion shows and charity events. One of the highlights of his time at the school was hosting the Scottish Government cabinet meeting.
He has been a driving force in supporting sporting activity in the school and as a result the campus has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Sports Scotland Gold Sports Award. In addition, Mr Smith spent many of his weekends taking trips to the mainland for primary and secondary pupils to take part in triathlon and cross country events, enabling the students to take part on an equal footing.
He has a passion for outdoor pursuits and has built a positive relationship with various community groups and the school: during his stewardship he has encouraged and supported the mountain bike club and he has been instrumental in helping to build a very successful junior triathlon club while he has been on Arran.
During his time as head teacher, Mr Smith has focused on building a strong staff team across the early years, primary and high school who have worked together to deliver the school values which have enhanced both curricular and extra-curricular activities for all of our young people. In fact, one of his first actions was to encourage all staff to take part in an outdoor day as a team building exercise in conjunction with the Arran Outdoor Centre; some have never quite got over it!
A statement issued by the school said: ‘All the staff, students and parents of Arran High School, Lamlash Primary and Lamlash Early Years would like to congratulate Barry Smith on his new appointment in Dumfries. He will be greatly missed by all after taking the school forward over the last five and a half years. He is leaving us with a positive inspection report following the recent inspection of the High School by HMiE in February.
‘Barry has been an integral part of the island community and his commitment to the young people of Arran High School has ensured that they have received both a high quality educational experience and a positive destination when they leave. All his colleagues, past and present wish him well.’
Mrs Susan Foster will take on the role of acting head teacher until the post can be advertised.