Nicky Grant appointed to top Highland Council education post
Highland Council has appointed Nicky Grant to the role of interim executive chief officer for education and learning.
It follows the departure of Paul Senior, who joined in May and helped prepare for schools to reopen following lockdown.
His salary, the equivalent of £936 a day, prompted questions over what one councillor called "the secret recruitment process" and the costs to the local authority.
Ms Grant takes up the position with immediate effect.
She became interim head of education in October 2019, prior to which she was head teacher of Alness Academy.
She was previously depute head at Elgin High School (Moray Council) and before that was depute head at Kemnay Academy (Aberdeenshire).
Her principal subject was physical education which she previously taught at schools in West Lothian. Prior to this she was a professional footballer, playing for Arsenal and Frankfurt among others, and was capped 98 times for her country.
Ms Grant said: “My passion and commitment for improving outcomes for all children and young people in the Highlands is what motivates all of my decisions, plans and actions. Effective partnership working within and across the council sectors, and beyond, is key to achieving sustainable growth and maintain an upward performance trajectory.”
She added: “I’m privileged to have the opportunity to work with such driven and talented staff. To connect communities and develop sustainable partnerships with the progress of our young people at the heart of all we do.”
Councillor John Finlayson, the education committee chairman, said: "I am delighted to announce that Nicky Grant will be stepping up to this interim ECO role at a time when the education and learning service is showing a good improvement in raising pupil attainment in Highland schools following the recent exam results.
“Nicky has contributed to the transformation which is taking place in the service."
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