SLS

History

The development of the School Leaders Scotland (or Headteachers’ Association of Scotland at is  was formerly known) during the last seventy years has taken place in parallel with the many and varied influences which have affected Scottish education during the same period.  The changes in the nature of the post of headteacher and the demands made on each incumbent have caused the Association to evolve into an organisation quite different from the one envisaged by its founders.  This evolution was to gain momentum in the last thirty years, and, thanks for the vision, dedication and selfless work of a succession of excellent office bearers, SLS came to be able to provide a full professional service for its members.

On 7^th March 1936 a meeting was called at which there was established the Scottish Secondary Headmasters’ Association on the motion of Mr George Robertson, Headmaster of George Watson’s Boys’ College Edinburgh who was to become the first President of the Association.  At this point in the education system in command of the senior secondary school was the “Rector”, a man (in all but the single sex girls’ schools) who, by virtue of his honour degree, subsequent teacher training and many years as a successful teacher and principal teacher, governed every aspect of the organisation.  His influence and stature were unquestioned, he was respected by the whole community and he dominated every aspect of school life.  It was therefore, not unnatural for these men to wish to form an association with their peers throughout Scotland so that they might take part in an exchange of views on matters specific to their roles and also for the purpose of fellowship which they found difficult to effect with the hierarchical system of which they formed the pinnacles.  It was in 1938 that the association was re-named the Association of Headmasters Senior Secondary School.

During the War years little changed in Scottish education but during the following years there were major political changes and society attitude to health, welfare and education altered dramatically. In the late 1940’s the school leaving age was raised to 15 which led to increased class sizes and shortage of qualified teaching staff. Changes to the examination system also followed. In March 1959 the new title “The Headmasters’ Association of Scotland” was adopted but change came about again in February 1973 when the title “The Headteachers’ Association of Scotland” was adopted and membership of the Association was extended to include Headmistresses and Headteachers of schools in Scotland providing a course of secondary education extending to or beyond S4.

Membership increased in the late 1960’s as huge schools emerged as the school leaving age increased to 16. As a result of this the was a huge expansion in the duties undertaken by the Headteacher and to assist in the workload Senior Management Teams were set up which included the Head, The Depute Head and the newly established post of Assistant Headteacher.  School/pupil communication improved with the appointment of Guidance Staff at both Principal and Assistant Principal level. 

With this level of structure the headteacher now had increasing need of his professional association and more frequently sought HAS advice, support and the sharing of problems. The Association was a great carrier of information to its members on many reports including Munn, Dunning, Pack etc.

In the 1970’s and 80’s members of the Association had started to influence the then Scottish Education Department with nominees at many meetings with the Department, Scottish Certificate of Education Examination Board (SEB), COSLA, Universities, Teacher Training Colleges, COSLA to name but a few.  To ensure the information was filtered down to all members HAS set up subcommittees within its national Council which has always been representative of all administrative regions. Conferences became vital in-service for members, providing forums for discussion and also network with colleagues from around the country. However it was becoming apparent that a more efficient 2 way communication mechanism with members was required.

At no time in the history of this Association has membership been incompatible with membership of any of the teacher unions or professional organisations.  Indeed the original Association survived for many years within the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS).  However the inevitably small number of secondary school headteachers in Scotland meant that their influence in other organisations was equally small and, on some occasions there became conflicts of interest. Members increasingly required the legal protection of the large organisations.