An award-winning head teacher who started her career at Vale of Leven Academy is bidding a fond farewell to the profession she has loved for 40 years.

After undertaking training in primary and secondary teaching, Kay Dingwall joined the Academy as a biology science teacher in 1978 along with 13 other probationers.

Following almost a decade at the Vale, she took up a guidance post at Hermitage Academy, where she gained promotion to acting head, before being appointed head teacher at Cleveden Secondary in Glasgow.

In May 2011 she took charge of Knightswood Secondary, which incorporates the Scottish School of Dance, and after just two years in the job she was named Scottish Head Teacher of the Year, following nomination by the parent council.

Now, as she calls time on her distinguished career, she does with fondness for her time at the Academy, which she says was part of a major learning curve which gave her “a much deeper understanding of how she could be the best learner she could be, and how she could help others do the same”.

Kay told the Reporter: “I thought I was going to teach English and French, but I changed to biology - although I hadn’t done it at school. But when I got the chance to do it later, I was just so interested in it.

“I did quite a bit of learning myself the first few years of secondary teaching - a heck of a lot. For me it was a really positive start.”

To mark her retirement, Kay was treated to a musical send off and cakes with Knightswood pupils earlier this month.

The school’s depute head teacher John Burns said: “Kay has been an inspiration in the school and community with her infectious enthusiasm and joy for life.

“Her tireless commitment to making sure every single pupil achieves their potential has driven forward the improvements in attainment and achievement. “We will miss her but we wish her a long and happy retirement – she’s earned it.”

Kay is now looking forward forward to spending more time with her two daughters, her husband Tom and her wheaten terrier puppy, Archie, who she hopes to train as a therapet, but admits that leaving behind the profession will be a struggle.

She added: “I managed to bring up two wonderful girls in amongst everything. That was a bit of a highlight because I loved my job so much.

“Sometimes they say women can have it all, but it can be a hard job - full of challenges, but more importantly full of successes and joy.

“Leaving teaching is very emotional and I will find it hard to walk out the door because I’ve been doing it 40 years and they have been wonderful. It’s been an absolute joy and a privilege.

“Although I’m a bit nervous because I’ve never not had this routine, this purpose for the last 40 years, I’m also full of hope. So I’ll go forward and see what’s round the corner and I’m sure there will be opportunities in the next chapter.”