Attainment Group – Biographies

For more on the background to the Attainment Group and the now ongoing expanded joint partnership work on raising attainment with Education Scotland and ADES, see the Engage section – Raising Attainment.

ATTAINMENT GROUP MEMBERS

Arlene Black

Arlene Black has just entered her 12th year as Head Teacher having undertaken this post in two very different contexts. Her first 5 years as HT were spent In Harrysmuir Primary School in West Lothian where her first priority was to raise the profile of the school in the local community. The thrust of her work was to create a real sense of community, to inspire and motivate the pupils to do their best and to instill a sense of personal ambition amongst the pupils. Her vision was that Harrysmuir Primary became a centre of excellence and the school of choice in the local area. This was a challenging but very rewarding time, as she witnessed the school going from strength to strength and was delighted to have had the privilege of leading the school during this period in its history.

Arlene started her current post as Head Teacher of Williamston Primary in 2005. She has the luxury of a very supportive school community and has been able to harness this to the advantage of their pupils. There is a vibrancy in the school that enthuses and motivates staff and pupils, a real sense of shared vision, healthy relationships and mutual respect. Staff and children aspire to do their best and the mix of those ingredients have led to high levels of attainment and achievement in all aspects of school life. This was reflected in their excellent HMIe report in 2009.

Brian McAlinden

Brian McAlinden spent 25 years as senior manager in secondary schools (3 schools and 2 different authorities). For 9 years he was Head Teacher of Castlemilk High and Principal of the Castlemilk High Learning Community. Brian led the school through a very successful HMIE inspection in 2008 and at the time was one of the best reports in the country. It is recognised nationally that Castlemilk HS is achieving major success in challenging the poverty of ambition and expectation resulting in improving the life chances of all young people.

Since August 2010 Brian has worked as an education consultant supporting individual schools and local authorities and has also been working with Education Scotland/LTS on various projects, including the exemplification of skills for learning, life and work (BTC 4) and assisting with the production of a national toolkit (Developing Skills).

Brian was awarded CBE for services to education in 2009.

Anne Paterson

Anne Paterson is currently a Quality Improvement Manager (Early Years) in Argyll and Bute. She has previously worked as a Quality Improvement Officer and as a Headteacher. Anne was awarded Scottish Headteacher of the Year Award in 2006. During her period as Headteacher Anne was seen as innovative and creative and pushed forward the ethos of Curriculum for Excellence. She has pushed boundaries to ensure all children have the opportunity to learn in an environment which will stimulate and provide challenge and achievement.

Anne has a specific interest in Early Education, Curriculum for Excellence, Outdoor Learning and Interdisciplinary Learning. Anne has been a key member of the Argyll and Bute team who have led nationally on interdisciplinary learning.

At a national level, Anne has been involved in the ADES Pre Five Sub Group and has worked nationally to promote Outdoor Learning and Creativity. Locally, within Argyll and Bute, she is currently Chairperson of the Forest Schools Cluster Group, Lead Officer in respect of Crofting Connection work within Argyll and Bute and Director of Stramash Outdoor Learning Social Enterprise.

Lindsey Watt

Lindsey has been teaching since 1979. She was previously Headteacher of Edinburgh’s Abbey hill and Sciennes Primary Schools. In both these schools, during her tenure as HT, attainment, achievement and pupil rolls increased.

In 1999- 2000 Lindsey was seconded to the Dept of Children & Families to compile evidence of good practice in the City’s schools. The results were used to inform the compilation of evidence for the Authority’s HMIE inspection.

In December 2003 she attended Columba 1400’s Headteacher Leadership Academy. This experience was life-changing and soon after, she applied and was appointed as Headteacher of Castleview Primary School. Castleview is situated in Craigmillar an area of positive action and regeneration. Since her appointment in 2005 the school has increased attainment and achievement. The school now has a positive image in the Craigmillar and wider community and has forged strong links with Historic Scotland’s Craigmillar Castle and local employer’s Nairn’s Oatcakes. The school was highly commended in the City of Edinburgh Council’s Achievement Awards for its work in producing the Craigmillar Junior Heritage Trail. It won the Achievement Award for Partnership Working with Historic Scotland and was a finalist in the Scottish Education Awards.

Lindsey has continued her association with Columba 1400 and was recently invited to become a Trustee of the organisation.

Val Corry

Val Corry is Head Teacher of Balfron High School, and has been in senior management in schools since 1996. She was an Assistant Headteacher and Depute Head Teacher in Wallace High School in Stirling and has been the Head Teacher of Balfron High School since 2002. Balfron High School is a rural school in the west of Stirling Council, and under Val’s leadership attainment and achievement have increased significantly. This has been achieved within the framework of Curriculum for Excellence values and principles. The staff in the school are firmly committed to Curriculum for Excellence and see this as the driver for change leading to higher achievement and attainment for all. Val and her senior management team are working with HMI, supported by International Futures Forum, on the development of change management tools to support change and innovation in schools.

In the last two years, Val has also delivered professional development on Curriculum for Excellence for Glasgow City Council, Shetland Islands Council, Learning and Teaching Scotland, Learning Unlimited, Schools Leaders Scotland, Central Scotland Authorities (CAF) Group, delivering to teachers, other professionals and to parents. Val is an Associate Assessor with HMI.

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