Rector
David G Girdwood
DL, BSc St Andrews, MEd Stirling, SQH
Mr Girdwood has been Rector of St Columba’s since 2002 having previously been Head of Upper School at Stewart’s Melville College, Edinburgh (1996-2002) and Head of Chemistry and Head of Science (1987-1996). He began his teaching career in 1979 in Lornshill Academy, Alloa where he became Assistant Head of Science.
He was an Associate Assessor with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education and was the first teacher in the independent sector to be awarded the Scottish Qualification for Headship in 2001. Mr Girdwood is a member of the Erskine Stewart’s Melville Governing Council and of the Scottish Strategic Advisory Committee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Renfrewshire in 2009. He is married to Lisa who is a solicitor; they have two daughters, Megan is reading English at Cambridge while Caitlin is a pupil at St Columba’s.