DURING nearly 40 years in education, Brian McAlinden has made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of pupils.

But try to compliment the Castlemilk High School head teacher and he immediately passes the credit for his success to his colleagues and pupils.

Now, with the new school year under way, he is set to pass his wisdom and experience on to a new generation of pupils.

In June, the 60-year-old father-of-two was recognised with a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List - but he also claims this is a reward for his school.

"The CBE is such an achievement, but I am embarrassed by all the fuss," he says, "Still, I tell my students they should be proud of their achievements so I am going to have to lead by example on this one.

"The award is a testament to the school, the staff, parents and pupils. It was not a solo effort and I hope everyone here takes pride in it."

He grew up in Pollok and attended Crookston Castle High, which is now demolished.

Then he went on to study at Glasgow University, completing a degree in biology and physical education and was the first student to gain a teaching diploma in the two subjects.

His teaching career has spanned 38 years, with his first post, in 1971, being at Glenwood Secondary, Castlemilk, where he was soon promoted to principal teacher of guidance.

He stayed at Glenwood until 1984 when he left to become head teacher at Govan High. After 10 years there he moved to Park Mains High, Erskine, before returning to Glasgow's biggest housing scheme and taking up the post of head teacher at Castlemilk High.

His career gives him many accolades to choose from, but he says his work at Castlemilk is his proudest achievement.

"Our mantra is All poverty is damaging but the most damaging poverty of all is that of ambition and expectation'. People are probably sick of hearing me say that," he says.

"But the motto is true. Ambition and expectation are the two most important things I have tried to instil in our pupils.

"What I try to give our students is stickability' - making sure they see things through.

"As well as life skills, we give them hope. If the school can achieve that, then I am happy."

On starting there in 2001, Mr McAlinden knew of the challenges the school would present - and he was more than prepared to tackle them.

Castlemilk High does not have a high grade on the league table of academic achievement, but it has been praised by school inspectors as being one of the best in the country.

Last year it scored the highest number of "excellent" ratings of any school in Glasgow.

Now, the school's fourth year pupils are expected to perform well at Standard Grade level and Mr McAlinden says academic standards are rising alongside pupils' expectations.

He says: "Since my earliest teaching years I have been trying to inspire staff and pupils to have ambition and expectation.

"In Castlemilk we have achieved something special. We have well-defined goals and we know where we are going. Nothing will distract us from that."

Four years ago 34% of pupils at the two Castlemilk secondaries, the High and St Margaret Mary's, left school and had to sign on the dole.

Mr McAlinden has worked hard to provide what he calls "positive leaver destinations" for his youngsters, whether that be work, college or university.

As well as its academic classes, the school gives pupils driving lessons and other practical classes as an incentive to keep them motivated for classroom teaching.

This alternative vision means only 8% of pupils are now lining up at the dole queue.

Another major achievement has been improving attendance levels, which are up to 90% from a low of 82%.

Such is the reputation of Castlemilk High these days a former school friend living in Australia contacted Mr McAlinden after reading about it on the internet.

The friend has offered the head teacher £3000 a year to spend as he pleases on the school.

Outside of work, Mr McAlinden says he is keen on all sports and is also involved in his local church, South Shawlands.

He and wife Joyce, 59, have two children - Alistair, 29, and Fiona, 25 - and Fiona has obviously learned from dad - she has followed him into teaching.