Welcome to AHDS

AHDS (Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland) is a modern forward thinking union working for you. We are geared for the twenty-first century, but we have all the background knowledge and experience you would expect from a union that has represented school leaders for over 30 years.

IMPORTANT!  Transition Conference venue change. This event will now be held at the Radisson Hotel, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.

Back to school!
 
Welcome back.  I trust you all had a good break and are ready for action.  Without wanting to dampen your renewed enthusiasm...it would be fair

to say that there will be significant challenges to be faced by schools in the coming year - tight budgets, ACfE hotting up, GLOW coming on line in more and more local authorities, tight budgets (did I mention that already?)  On top of this the year is starting with disruption through industrial action - advice has been sent to members and is available in the latest news section to the left of this page. 

Schools will manage with less funding than in recent years but there will be hard decisions to be made - there is no question, a reduction in funding will make most aspects of your job more difficult.  Schools will need to have a long look at all that they do and in many cases will have to choose things to stop doing to make ends meet.  My key message is take control.  If budget constraints mean you cannot do everything you would like to in your school then think hard about your priorities, identify things which don't contribute towards those priorities and decide not to do them.  Don't try to keep doing everything, plugging the gaps with your own extended efforts, it is not sustainable.

AHDS is dedicated to school leaders – we are the only real option if you want your union to properly represent the perspective of heads and deputes from around Scotland. We make sure the voice of school leaders is heard in all education policy debates and continue to press for change to the confusing and iniquitous job-sizing arrangements, for education to be seen as the core of pre-school services and for protected management time for all school leaders.

Member Benefits
Members also have access to a range extra benefits – from training courses designed specifically for school leaders (and delivered at cost) to reduced rate car and home insurance and free independent financial advice. Recent additions to our membership benefits are a travel club just for members and £40 off wine from Virgin Wines.

Annual Conference
Bookings now being taken for the AHDS Annual Conference on Inclusion. Click here to book your place today!

Found what you're looking for?
If you are already a member, I hope you find what you are looking for – if not, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

If you are not a member – don’t delay, join today!

Greg Dempster
AHDS General Secretary