I have spent 24 years in education, the last 8 as head of a 900-pupil school in Edinburgh.
Under my leadership our sixth-form results have improved for 3 consecutive years, and staff turnover
fell from 14% to 6%. I have chaired 2 national committees on curriculum and pastoral standards.
I still teach one Latin set a week, mostly to remind myself what the timetable feels like from inside it.
Appointments
Headmaster · Craigmuir College, Edinburgh
2018–Present
Lead a school of 900 pupils and 112 staff with an annual budget of £9.4m, delivered balanced 6 years running.
Raised the sixth-form A*-B rate from 61% to 78% over 3 successive years through a rebuilt tracking and tutoring programme.
Opened a bursary fund that now supports 41 pupils, funded by a £2.1m campaign completed 14 months ahead of schedule.
Deputy Head, Academic · Dunkeld Hall School, Perth
2011–2018
Directed the curriculum for 640 pupils across 19 departments; introduced a modern languages pathway taken up by 210 pupils.
Cut timetable clashes for sixth-form option blocks from 37 a year to 4 by redesigning the blocking model.
Mentored 9 heads of department, 5 of whom moved on to senior leadership posts.
Head of Classics · Farrington Grammar School, York
2004–2011
Grew Latin entries at GCSE from 18 to 55 in 5 years and reintroduced Greek to the sixth form.
Ran an annual Rome and Athens trip for 40 pupils, incident-free for 7 consecutive years.
Teacher of Classics · St. Colm's School, Stirling
2002–2004
Taught Latin and Classical Civilisation to years 7-13; form tutor to a group of 28.
Honours & National Service
2025Chair, National Committee on Sixth-Form Curriculum Reform · 14 member schools, report adopted by 3 examining bodies.
2022Chair, National Standing Committee on Pastoral Standards · authored guidance now in use at 120 schools.
2020Fellow, Society of Heads of Independent Schools of Scotland.
2016Ashcroft Prize for Curriculum Leadership, Scottish Schools Association.
Education
M.Ed., Educational Leadership
University of Edinburgh
2009
M.A. (Hons), Classics
University of St Andrews
2001
PGDE, Secondary Education
Moray House School of Education
2002
Governance & Interests
Governor, Kelvinbrae Preparatory School (since 2019)
Trustee, Lothian Bursary Trust · grants of £340k a year
Examiner, Latin A-level (2006–2014)
Choral singing, hill walking, and the restoration of a 1962 rowing shell