Renfrewshire Council has made a key appointment in its children’s services team as it announced a new head of education.

Emma Henry has taken on the post – which covers attainment, inclusion and wellbeing – permanently after doing the job on an interim basis since the beginning of the year and following a recruitment process.

The officer has risen through the ranks from a class teacher to head teacher before going on to join the department’s senior management team.

She said: “I have worked in Renfrewshire since 1999 where I started as a primary teacher in St Catherine’s Primary and Early Learning and Childcare Class.

“I was lucky to spend most of my career there and progressed from class teacher to depute head teacher to head teacher. I also spent one year as acting head of Paisley Pre-5 Early Learning Centre.

“This led me to the next chapter in my career as lead officer on Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), then as education manager for additional support needs and inclusion, and then onto my current role as head of education.”

Speaking about her priorities for the role going forward, Ms Henry explained her focus is to help to ensure every child and young person in Renfrewshire has the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background.

She added: “We want every single child and young person to have the best opportunity to learn and to thrive.

“As head of education, I am truly committed to this goal while being relentless in my focus to narrow and ultimately close the poverty-related attainment gap.

“I want to ensure that Renfrewshire’s children and young people are supported and equipped to be successful in their learning and their life beyond school.”

Meanwhile, Gerry Lyons continues in the other head of education role, which covers strategy and improvement, on an interim basis. A permanent appointment for that post is anticipated in the coming months.