Hermitage Academy head teacher Robert Williamson retires

“I’d have said they were nuts!” laughs Robert Williamson at the possibility of that scenario actually having been reality when he started life in education.

After a quarter of a century in teaching, the final three years of which have been spent in charge of Hermitage Academy, the Helensburgh school’s head teacher has said goodbye.

Whether spending his retirement at home or abroad – when travel restrictions allow – he takes with him happy memories of the school.

The staff, pupils, parents and community all figure, with Mr Williamson grateful for the support of all those parties.

But it will also be hard to forget the way those three years ended – starting in March when schools across Scotland were closed as the Covid-19 pandemic sent the UK into lockdown.

Pupils did return to school as planned in August, but there were no exams in 2020 and there will not be any in 2021 either.

READ MORE: Higher exams cancellation should’ve happened months ago, says councillor

Mr Williamson said: “It hasn’t been an ideal finish in terms of the Covid situation, but I must admit I continue to marvel at how the community has come together, and all of the work that has been put in to support young people.

“I’ve been very impressed by the resilience the young people have shown. Sometimes you can judge people in times of crisis and there have been lots of positives throughout this time.

“I’ve actually been surprised at the number of things we’ve tried to keep going through it all. Normally that wouldn’t be the case but the vast majority of young people are coming in, talking and learning.

“You just have to cope with the situation and hope that when the vaccine kicks in, you get some sense of normality. It has been quite a curveball to throw in for my final year.”

Mr Williamson came to Hermitage in October 2017, leaving Drumchapel High School to succeed Geoff Urie – and he says the move to the Academy is one of the best he made in his career.

He will be replaced by Argyll and Bute Council education manager Douglas Morgan, who it is understood will initially be acting head teacher for 23 months.

READ MORE: Hermitage Academy prize-giving: pupils praised for 'unparalleled' achievements

He said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel I’ve built up some really wonderful relationships and it’s a community with incredible potential.

“I’m not sure what my expectations were when I first came in. Every community is unique and has its own strengths.

“In a much larger school, the diversity of strengths in the community is really quite amazing. It is a school that will continue to improve.

“Had I had expectations when I came in I’m sure the last three years would have lived up to them. I’ve been very impressed by the staff, our young people and the support from parents.

“I loved my time at Drumchapel High School, but I felt that Hermitage was a really exciting prospect, the idea of coming to a school that takes in all of its community.

“I felt that really fitted my profile, which had taken me across Balfron, Bishopbriggs and Drumchapel. I really felt I could help the school to thrive with what I had learned from previous experiences.

“Young people always surprise you and I always think it’s a great shame that the public don’t see them on a more regular basis.

“We hear about queues at Morrisons, but if people could see them every day, their creativity and sheer hard work, they would be impressed.

“I will always fly the flag for teenagers and the huge contribution they make to society and charity, and the support they have for their families, as well as their belief in the community in the future.

“Everybody has handled the Covid situation incredibly well. I am always grateful to staff and parents for putting the young people first.

“They have been incredibly flexible. People expect change in their lives but this situation has thrown up challenges which have been met really admirably.

“We’re aware we haven’t delivered services as we would like to, but there has been real understanding which we are very grateful for.”

The cancellation of the exam diet by the Scottish Qualifications Authority will mean that for the second year in a row, young people’s grades will be determined by teacher estimates.

It will be one of the first challenges for Mr Morgan in his new role. But Mr Williamson is reflective of any number of changes that have taken place in education since he started out.

He said: “If there is a positive to the [exam] situation it’s that it is time to look more creatively at how we assess young people, ensuring it is an honest assessment and not just a barrier.

“Our young people deserve to be recognised and since the exam system cannot work at the moment, we have the chance to look at how to give them an honest, strong profile that shows exactly what they are capable of.

“It [education] has changed enormously. The biggest thing is that it’s now far more research-led. We are all far more reflective on what we do and are far more accountable.

“But the response has been quite creative and positive in engaging young people with the reasons why we do things.

“It is far more responsive to the needs of young people, whether they enjoy school or not. You have to entertain and keep them interested.

“Twenty-five years ago some people would have reacted against it and said it was ‘my way or the high way’.

“You also have to ensure that staff are supported, but the talent I see coming through in teaching is hugely inspiring.”

After officially retiring at the end of the term on Tuesday, December 22, Mr Williamson can reflect on so much that he has fitted into his three years at Hermitage.

READ MORE: Hermitage Academy 'leading the way' as school earns glowing report

He said: “I don’t think there necessarily is one moment. Like all teachers these days, there are times when you feel you are important to a young person, and that warms your heart.

“As a leader, there are also the opportunities you have to support positive and caring staff and watch them take things forward. You may be the one that says yes or no, or finds the finance to help that happen.

“I am very wary of advising people. I don’t think I have all the answers so I am wary of suggesting that I have a plan for somebody else to follow.

“Most people coming in know that it is about having an open mind, about listening and being willing to accept you’re wrong, but hoping you’ll be right quite a lot.

“The strengths are already in your school – it doesn’t matter the school; there are strengths there. You rely on each other and don’t let each other down, and then you have the perfect blend.

“Mr Morgan will have his own ideas about what he is taking forward.”

READ MORE: Helensburgh students raise funds to sponsor Zambian pupils' education

And his plans for the future?

He added: “I will be spending a lot of time in Italy. We have a house there and many of my friends have expressed their jealousy over that!

“But that will be a bit delayed, as my wife is also a head teacher in Glasgow and is still at work, so it will be this summer before we make any moves away – pending travel restrictions of course.

“I’ll take stock, write my book, make my plans for the future but I’ll take my time over it. I’ll always have an eye on all of my former schools and be delighted to hear about their successes in the future.

“I’d like to express my gratitude to the community who have been so supportive of me throughout my time here, and also to the council and councillors who have always been honest.

“Thanks also to the parent teacher association and parent council, and to the parents themselves.

“I’ve had almost nothing but positivity and their support has been absolutely vital.

“Thank you to the staff who have come through an intense time of change. We have always focused on ensuring we support our young people through any change.

“They and our young people amaze me every single day with their good humour, their energy and their ability to adapt to situations.

“It’s been absolutely great fun, and one of the best decisions I’ve made. They’ve made it an inspiring time in my career.”

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