Mrs Berry will be finishing up as Depute Rector at the end of this academic year, and while she will not be easily replaced, we received a high number of exceptional applications for the role. It was wonderful to see so many talented teachers looking to join St Columba’s and after an extensive and rigorous recruitment process, we are delighted to introduce Dr MacBeath as our new Academic Depute Rector, joining us in August.
He was kind enough to spend some time speaking with our Marketing team to let us all know a bit about him and what his plans are for the year ahead.
Welcome to St Columba’s Dr MacBeath, can you please tell us a little about yourself?
Well, I have always had a passion for academia. After studying mechanical engineering at university, I went on to pursue a PhD in medical engineering at Glasgow University, while working with Ethicon Endosurgery, the surgical branch of Johnson & Johnson. My research involved designing and developing high precision ultrasonic tools for orthopaedic surgery. It was amazing to be able to collaborate with surgeons at the top of their game and see the challenges within operating theatres then come up with solutions to solve them.
At research institutions like Glasgow University, publications are integral to funding, and I published thirteen peer-reviewed academic papers during my PhD. This culminated one of the highlights of my career – presenting at the World Congress on Ultrasonics in Beijing.
Alongside my research and work in academia, I coached tennis part-time. I began at university, and I found myself increasingly drawn to the reward of supporting student progression. It became very clear that I enjoyed supporting people rather than going into the lab to harvest data. So, after working for Ethicon for two years, I made the decision to change my career. I trained as a teacher, dual qualified in Maths and Physics and started my first full-time position at Lomond teaching both SQA and A-Level. Within my first year I had become an RYA Windsurfing instructor and a British Mountain Bike trail leader.
After a few years as a teacher, I progressed to leading the science department, and then became head of the Physical Sciences Faculty, which included mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineering. In the last twelve months, I have introduced HNC Mechanical Engineering as the core subject in the IB Career-related Program, allowing pupils to partnership with industry whilst bringing industry experts into the senior school. Transition is such a vital part of pupil growth and wellbeing, and this project really focuses on the transition from secondary education to further education, apprenticeships, and the world of work.
My career path may be unconventional for a teacher, but I believe that my diverse experiences, from engineering to tennis coaching, will bring fresh perspectives and valuable skills to the school.
After so many years at Lomond, what drew you to St Columba’s School?
It has been a lot of years at Lomond, both as a student and a teacher! But I felt it was time for a new challenge and perspective. St Columba’s School immediately stood out to me. Its strong reputation, both academically and in its wide range extracurricular activities, along with its ideal size were key factors in my decision. I believe in the value of knowing pupils and parents as individuals, and St Columba’s provides the perfect environment for such a community to flourish. The sense of connection and support is one of the real benefits of an independent school of its size. I have always wanted to work in a community in which opportunities are abundant, and success is celebrated. St Columba’s is exactly that, a place where pupils are encouraged to reach their full potential, both in and out of the classroom. I am excited to contribute to this environment and be part of a school that values excellence, ambition, and a strong sense of community.
The strength and dedication of the entire staff, along with the school’s supportive leadership and commitment to professional development, were also key factors that attracted me. I immediately recognised Mrs Reilly from a previous HMIE inspection at Lomond, during which my work in increasing girls’ participation in STEM was highlighted and later published by Education Scotland. Throughout the interview process, I was impressed by the meaningful connection I was able to establish with the pupils and staff on the interview panel. They spoke with such confidence and clarity, expressing exactly what they needed from the role, which emphasised the warmth and strong sense of community within the school. It was clear that St Columba’s shared many of my values, such as diversity, opportunity, and the belief that students from a small community can compete globally. This resonates deeply with me, having experienced that myself through my academic and sporting successes.
The STEM work you have been leading in Lomond is obviously something you are passionate about. How are you going to bring that passion to what we’re already doing at St Columba’s?
Of course, STEM is my passion and while there is already a strong educational focus in St Columba’s – I want to expand on it and part of this will be something I’m already working on, which is mapping the curriculum pathways alongside extracurricular opportunities. This is what I’ve done at Lomond, making sure that these co-curricular activities are purposeful and aligned with students’ interests and future aspirations. It’s a structured approach that allows students to explore potential career paths and gain valuable experience.
In my previous role, I created distinct pathways within physics – pure physics, engineering, and space – each with tailored extracurricular activities at key stages. This included young engineers’ clubs, rocket clubs, space clubs, and opportunities for scholarships and competitions, all designed to strengthen students’ skills and experiences and expose them to a plethora of STEM activities. I plan to replicate this approach, not just in STEM, ensuring that extracurricular activities complement and enhance classroom learning.
I am also excited about the opportunity to create a truly organic approach to interdisciplinary learning. With St Columba’s moving to a single site from August, there’s a fantastic opportunity to further integrate the junior and senior school curriculums, creating a seamless learning environment that transcends age. I hope to see greater collaboration across departments, developing meaningful connections between age groups and supporting inquiry-based learning.
You’re also an advocate for numeracy, can you tell us a little more about that?
One of the most effective ways to make mathematics more accessible is to focus on mastery, helping pupils build deep understanding and confidence. I have found that a lack of confidence often overshadows ability, and through mastery we can empower learners to engage with mathematics more effectively. Many pupils struggle due to a fear of getting things wrong, not due to a lack of ability. This is something the teachers at St Columba’s do really well already, it is such a strong subject within the school.
Introducing subject ‘champions’ at Lomond has proven incredibly successful and I’ll be working with the team to look at ways we can do something similar. By empowering students to teach their peers or younger pupils, they gain confidence in their own mathematical abilities and develop a culture in which mistakes are seen as part of the learning process. This peer-to-peer teaching approach helps create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable discussing and engaging with maths, helping them to develop resilience and a deeper understanding.
Beyond the classroom, connecting with the wider community is important. Building strong links with local clubs and activities can create opportunities for students to see the practical applications of maths in real-world contexts. It is about demonstrating how much they already use maths in their daily lives making learning more intuitive and long-lasting.
Finally, ensuring continuity in numeracy at all stages of education is crucial. An advantage of having the entire school on one site will be the Junior School having access to our strong Maths department. The Junior School has done great work in their numeracy attainment focus and I want to continue this strong foundation in early years, followed by consistent reinforcement and opportunities for problem-solving, to help learners build confidence and fluency as they progress.
If you could teach any subject even if it’s not in the curriculum, what would it be?
I’d probably say philosophy. Reflection is so important – the ability to discuss ideas, consider different perspectives, and explore the evolution of knowledge is truly fascinating. Giving people the time to reflect on their work fosters strategic thinking, refinement, and growth. While the GTCS professional standards and reflection framework emphasise the need for reflection in education, it can be challenging to prioritise amid other demands. Philosophy naturally encourages learners to pause, reflect, discuss, review, theorise, and speculate – and I think that’s fantastic.
If you had one piece of advice for our current SVI, as they journey beyond school, what would it be?
I think it would be, to be true to themselves. It’s easy to feel pressured to conform or try to be someone you’re not. However, staying true to your values, your instincts, and your beliefs is crucial. While it might not always seem like the easiest path, it will lead to a more authentic life.
Don’t be afraid to embrace your strengths and seize the opportunities that come your way. Sometimes, we miss chances, and that’s perfectly normal. But actively seeking and engaging with new experiences is vital for sustained growth. Remember that every experience, even the challenging ones, offers valuable lessons.
Strive to leave every environment better than you found it. It’s likely that your time at St Columba’s has made a lasting impact – carry that ethos forward and continue making a difference wherever you go. And finally, embrace life’s journey, get involved, and enjoy all that it has to offer. Ultimately, keep in touch! Your teachers know you well and care about you deeply. We would love for you to return and share your journey with us in the future.
What are you most looking forward to about starting at St Columba’s?
Oh, there’s so much! I’m eager to get to know everyone. I pride myself on being a good listener and approachable so I’m looking forward to meaningful conversations and working together to help everyone achieve their goals, whatever they may be.
While pupils are at the heart of everything we do, I also recognise the importance of supporting staff in their professional growth. It’s essential to create an environment where they feel heard, valued, and are given the chance to thrive. A strong, collaborative staff community allows us to share best practices, support one another, and continue developing our skills. When everyone is aligned, schools become truly inspiring places to work, filled with remarkable collective knowledge and expertise.
Initially, I’ll probably want to be everywhere at once; rugby games, hockey matches, music shows, you name it! The real challenge will be pacing myself. But I’m genuinely excited to dive into the St Columba’s community and be part of it all.
