Catholic head for Jewish school

Dr Jim Duffy has 30 years' teaching experience

A Catholic head teacher has taken up a temporary post at Scotland's only Jewish primary school.

Dr Jim Duffy, 52, has been seconded to head Calderwood Lodge in Newlands and said he was "excited" by the challenge.

The school has a roll of 222 pupils and Dr Duffy's appointment follows the retirement of Ruth Levy as head.

John Wilson, director of education at East Renfrewshire Council, said the appointment was made with the agreement of the Jewish education authorities.

Dr Duffy moved from St Cadoc's Primary School in Newton Mearns to take up his new post on Wednesday.

'Unique' ethos

He started his teaching career in 1976 and is a former head of St James's Primary School, Paisley - one of Scotland's first shared campus primary school.

A graduate of the former Notre Dame College of Education, he is married with three children.

"I am looking forward to working with pupils, parents, teachers and the Jewish community to help further develop Calderwood Lodge as a school of excellence within the context of its unique Jewish faith and ethos," said Dr Duffy.

John Wilson, director of education, said: "The temporary appointment is with the agreement of the Jewish education authorities who were keen to see the faith and ethos aspect of the appointment filled by a head teacher from a faith school."