ONE of East Lothian’s longest serving senior teachers steps down today (Friday), after nearly 30 years in local schools.

Stewart MacKinnon has spent most of his working career at Musselburgh Grammar School.

Despite moving on twice to take on senior roles, he always returned to the Honest Toun and the county’s biggest secondary school.

He told the Courier: “There is something special about Musselburgh that always brought me back here.” Mr MacKinnon started his teaching career at Penicuik High School but arrived at Musselburgh Grammar in 1986 to take on the principal head of maths position.

He left in 1992 to become assistant head of Tynecastle High School in Edinburgh, before returning in 1996 as deputy head teacher.

In 2006 he was on the move again to take over the job of headteacher at North Berwick High School before spending a brief time as a Quality Inspection Officer for East Lothian Council and returning to Musselburgh in 2009.

During his time at Musselburgh, he has witnessed many highs. . . and a few lows, such as in 1999 when the school was labelled one of the worst in Scotland following a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education.

The inspectors saw gangs battling in the entrance area; however, Mr MacKinnon is critical of HMI and its public criticism of the school.

He said: “At the time the community was in turmoil, with a gang culture in different areas, and it had an impact in the school.

“But I think the Scottish education system could deal with these situations better.

“Perhaps getting on with fixing problems rather than publicly lambasting a school would be better.

“At times they have done more damage than good; that is something which could be done better.

“Headteachers are hung out to dry too readily.” Mr MacKinnon said the school had moved on considerably since the 1999 report thanks to committed staff and students.

He said: “There are a lot of committed staff at Musselburgh Grammar and a lot of fantastic pupils.

“We are in the job to look after children and support their needs. I think that the satisfaction I have had from my job is in knowing so many pupils have come through the school and moved on to achieve so much in their lives.” Among his many highlights from working in the school, Mr MacKinnon cites overseeing the introduction of a new disciplinary policy promoting positive behaviour, which is still followed today, and the creation of the school garden, which began as a Millenium project in 1999.

He said: “The garden is still being used and added to all the time it has become a great asset to the school and I am very pleased with it.” Mr MacKinnon said much of his work at the school would not be possible without the support of his senior admin assistant and right-hand woman Margaret Stewart, who works alongside him.

The married father-of-three is now preparing to find other ways to occupy his days as he faces retirement.

A former footballer with Edinburgh University and Spartans, he is chairman of Edinburgh University Football Club, although he admits he prefers golf to the rigours of the football pitch these days.

He said: “I am sure finding ways to keep busy will be difficult at first; I am used to doing so many things, and solving problems on a daily basis, but I enjoy golf and hill walking.

“I may bag a few Munros now I have the time.

“And I am sure I will find ways to occupy myself. I will miss the school, though, the staff and the students.”