New chief officer of education appointed for the Highlands
The Highland Council has appointed Bernadette Scott as chief officer education for primary and early years.
The appointment completes the new senior management structure of the council’s People Service Cluster under the leadership of Kate Lackie, assistant chief executive for people.
Bernadette Scott is an education professional with over 30 years’ experience, currently working for Perth and Kinross Council as service manager, early years and childcare. Most recently, her remit has included taking an overview of services for all children, with responsibility for improvement in early learning and childcare settings, primary and secondary schools.
Previously, Bernadette was a quality improvement officer and spent 12 years as a headteacher in Perth primary schools.
Convener of the council, councillor Bill Lobban said: “I would like to congratulate Bernadette on her appointment and welcome her to the Highland Council. She brings with her a wealth of education, early learning and childcare experience and leadership to the council.
“With this latest appointment I am pleased to see the council’s senior management structure progressing with continued pace. The new structure is forecasted to initially deliver savings of £370,000 as part of the budget savings agreed by council in February 2024, and it is anticipated that savings will eventually equate to around 20 per cent of senior management team costs as part of a more streamlined management structure.”
Bernadette will be starting with Highland Council on June 1, and says she is looking forward to leading the journey of improvement and delivering the best outcomes for all children and young people across the Highlands.