A FORMER head boy who went on to become a teacher at his secondary school is waving goodbye to his “home”.

Calum Blair, 35, has spent 20 years at Knox Academy, first as a pupil before then returning in 2010 as a member of staff.

Yesterday (Thursday) marked his final day at the Haddington secondary school before moving to become depute headteacher at Balerno High School in Edinburgh.

Speaking to the Courier on Tuesday, the curriculum leader of numeracy and computing looked ahead to the final school bell at Knox and said: “I very much think about Knox Academy as my home and I'm really proud of being part of the school and proud of the work in computing and maths.

“I think we have done a great job.

“There is that sense of pride and with that comes a sense of sadness in terms of leaving that good work.

“But I am certainly excited for the team to take it further and shape it how they want to.

“They are really well placed to do that and a really talented faculty.

“I am excited to see that but excited for a change in role and change in school.

“I’m looking forward to challenging myself at Balerno High School in the new role, meeting new staff, new young people and parents.

“There is that element of excitement for the team here and I know they will continue to be great and excitement for myself too.”

Calum Blair's time at Knox Academy, stretching from pupil to teacher, has come to an end (Image: Knox Academy)

Mr Blair, who grew up in East Linton, attended the secondary school from 2000 to 2006 before going on to the University of Stirling, where he did a joint degree in maths and education.

Teaching was the career path he wanted to go into and, after a placement at Knox Academy, he was offered a quickfire return to the school as a maths teacher.

Since then, he has become a familiar face in the corridors, working alongside staff who previously taught him.

He said: “All the staff were very supportive and very understanding of me coming back to my old school.

“They were very, very understanding and helpful, and I really appreciated that at the time.”

Calum, who lives near Grangemouth with his partner, noted that while the school itself had not changed a great deal since his time as a pupil, there was a greater influence from technology.

He said: “Another huge thing is the school curriculum in terms of the brilliant breadth of courses that we have on offer here at the school compared to when I was at school.

“I think it is a phenomenal array really that the kids have got to choose from.

“It just gives them a foundation to be successful and to make progress.

“It is something as a school I am really proud of and feel we have contributed to that within our faculty of maths and computing.”

Sue Cook, headteacher at Knox Academy, described her departing colleague as “an amazing member of staff”.

She said: "Calum’s leadership of numeracy and computing has been 100 per cent inspiration, motivation and sheer passion for what he does and improving outcomes for young people.

“He has also led various initiatives at East Lothian Council level and was the driver behind us getting our Digital Schools Award too.

“He has definitely left a legacy here and empowered staff around him and developed their skills and abilities too, particularly in mastery maths and manipulatives, which has helped raise attainment in maths.

“I would like to wish Calum all the very best from me and everyone in the Knox Academy community.”