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and hard conversations that the job also brings.
He developed his team and ensured that
the pastoral care of pupils complemented their
academic commitments; in addition, he led
in-service training to ensure all teachers could
reflect on creating the best learning environment
for our pupils. Neil built excellent relationships
with everyone across the school, valuing his
early morning coffees from Café George, and his
warm laugh could often be heard in the corridors,
playground or staff room – he was a visible
presence around the school campus and always
made an effort to get to know all the pupils and
staff.
Neil left Heriot’s to take up the post of
Headteacher at Queen Elizabeth High School,
Hexham, a post that is richly deserved after he
completed the Into Headship qualification in
2019. He will be much missed by his colleagues
and friends at Heriot’s but we know that he will
bring great leadership to his new school and hope
Ave et Vale demanding trips with his customary positivity they will also share his love for a great song and a
good karaoke!
– and there are many pupils who cite these
Neil Seaton experiences as the highlights of their school years. Ms Anne Connor and Mrs Gemma Hay
Neil first introduced the idea of Heriot’s
Neil Seaton left Heriot’s in November 2020.
becoming a UNICEF Rights Respecting School
(RRS) in 2012 after recognising the benefits it
In her leaving speech to staff about Neil, Lesley could bring to the whole school – although it is
Franklin shared that she was giving him a copy fair to say that not everyone in the school was ‘We have to respect one
of Erasure’s song A Little Respect. This gift was keen on the idea initially. The success of Heriot’s another’
entirely appropriate as Neil was responsible as a RRS can definitely be attributed to Neil’s The philosophy of Neil Seaton was
for making Heriot’s a twice awarded Gold level hard work in providing an environment where very simple – but it was a philosophy
Rights Respecting School with UNICEF and he has all members of the school could learn about the that transformed Heriot’s into a Rights
played a crucial role in bringing children’s rights advantages of a rights-based approach. Respecting School.
and pupil voice into the heart of Heriot’s. It was He created a working party of pupils, staff, ‘When I started out [teaching] at
also appropriate because Neil loves a good song parents and governors and led us on the 23, I didn’t have a whole list of rules in
and has been known to embrace a karaoke night journey to becoming the first independent school my classroom,’ Neil explains. ‘I didn’t
with much enthusiasm, as well as being happy to in the UK to be awarded the Gold level in talk about rights because I didn’t have
throw some moves on the dance floor at an S1 2015. the language then. I said, “We have to
disco or the S6 ball! These initial meetings were places where no respect one another. I won’t shout at
Neil joined Heriot’s as Head of S1 and teacher idea was too outlandish and where everyone
of history/modern studies in August 2005. He was encouraged to think big with their vision of you and you don’t shout at me, we’ll
have a conversation instead.” It was the
came from Dollar Academy where he had held a Rights Respecting School. Led by Neil, the RRS only “rule” I had.’
pastoral roles but he immediately embraced being Group became known for memorable assemblies He continued: ‘Relationships are
back in his university town and became a hugely (Mr Wyllie and Mr Dickson starring as naughty better because young people feel they’re
valued member of the pastoral care team as he pupils and the 30th birthday party celebrations of empowered to say what they think. Not
nurtured year groups through their senior school the UNCRC standing out as particular highlights); in a way that they challenge adults, but
years. Neil also brought great enthusiasm to his pink umbrellas adorning the school (symbolising on the basis that they know what their
history and modern studies teaching, introducing our rights protecting us); Easter egg rights hunts; rights are. Rights give adults a language
a comparative politics option to the Advanced competitions to ‘name our rights’, campaigns for appropriately responding to that.
Higher course (sometimes known as ‘The West and much more. Our pupils have participated in ‘Being Rights Respecting has also
Wing years’) and often embracing lively lessons consultations with the Scottish Government and allowed us to tackle anti-social-style
as his S1 class reenacted the Battle of Hastings children’s rights now underpin all our policies behaviour. So when for example a
in the playground or made and modelled and work. We are frequently approached by teacher has a dialogue about certain
Renaissance-inspired hats. other schools who wish to find out how we have behaviour concerns they wouldn’t say
Neil recognises that the role of a teacher goes achieved our two Gold awards; Neil has always
well beyond the classroom and he was involved in been generous in sharing our experience and “you just can’t behave like that”, you
would say ‘this is a Rights Respecting
a range of extra-curricular activities throughout it’s no surprise that he has been approached by School and your behaviour has impacted
his 15 years at Heriot’s. He was a valued member UNICEF to become an assessor for the award. on the rights of other pupils and put it
of The Debating Society, coaching teams to In 2014, he was appointed Depute, Head of within that context [of rights].
success in various competitions, and latterly used Pastoral Care, and continued his work in ensuring ‘If you say something racist, sexist,
his energies to assist with cross country running. all our pupils are nurtured and valued. The Depute homophobic or discriminate against
Neil also led and accompanied school trips all over role is certainly a challenging one, encompassing someone with a disability, we deal with
Scotland (he would cite early morning cycle rides child protection, legal requirements and the that, and that would be because we’re
at Aviemore as a highlight of Activities Week) welfare of more than 1,000 pupils, but Neil a Rights Respecting School and your
and further afield to Berlin and Washington, and approached the job with unfailing good humour, behaviour is making someone in our
he was also part of the inaugural trips to China supporting staff and pupils, and always acting community feel unsafe.’
in 2010 with a visit to Shanghai, and then in as a wise voice with calm advice and good sense
2012 and 2014 to Beijing. He approached these whilst never being afraid of the tough demands

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