Highland Council welcomes new Cluster Head Teacher appointments

The Highland Council is pleased to announce the appointments of two Cluster Head Teachers at schools in the Inverness and Skye and Raasay areas.

Arlene Beattie has been appointed as Cluster Head Teacher for Daviot and Strathdearn Primary Schools.

Mrs Beattie is well known in both school communities as she has worked there as a Cluster Principal Teacher since 2017. Her teaching career began in 2005 and since then she has worked as a class teacher in various primary schools in the local area as well as teaching in a private school in Aberdeen for two years.

Commenting on her appointment, she said: “I am so pleased to have been appointed as Head Teacher of Daviot and Strathdearn Cluster.  I am really looking forward to continuing to work with the pupils, staff and community of Daviot and connecting with the pupils, staff and community in Strathdearn, who have already made me feel very welcome.”

Samantha Muir has been appointed as Cluster Head Teacher for Carbost and Struan Primary Schools.

Mrs Muir has been a part of the Carbost and Struan Primary School cluster since August 2019 working as a Class Teacher, Principal Teacher and latterly, Acting Head Teacher. She came to the Isle of Skye after teaching in a British International School in Thailand. Prior to this, she taught in primary schools across South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire. Whilst raising her daughters, she pursued a career in education and completed the Bachelor of Education as an adult learner.

She said: “I am thrilled to be taking up the role of Head Teacher at Carbost and Struan primary Schools. Both school communities have afforded me a very warm welcome. I am looking forward to working with everyone in giving our children the best possible primary school experience.”

Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “I would like to congratulate Arlene and Samantha on their new roles. They have both been working in their respective schools over the past few years and in this time have forged a positive relationship with their schools and wider local community. I wish them all the best in this next chapter of their careers”.