Norma Anne Watson, who passed away in May, was a long-time EIS member and prominent campaigner for Scottish education. Trained as a primary teacher, Norma Anne developed a specialist interest in Early Years education.

Norma Anne lived and worked in West Lothian, and spent a major part of her teaching career as Headteacher of Kirkhill Nursery School in Broxburn. An active member of the EIS locally and nationally, she was a long time committee and Council member, and Secretary of West Lothian local association.

Norma Anne was elected as EIS President in 1994, and later served as the Convener of the Board of Examiners, which is the committee tasked with awarding the degree of Fellowship of the EIS (FEIS) to worthy contributors to Scottish education.

George MacBridge, a long time EIS Education Convener, said of Norma, “I knew Norma for almost four decades.

“Throughout that time Norma never wavered in her commitment to promoting a sound education for all of Scotland’s children and young people, to defending and promoting the professionalism and welfare of Scotland’s teachers and to the EIS as the organisation best suited to ensure these outcomes.”

“Norma was fiercely loyal to the EIS as an organisation, to its reputation, to its procedures, to its history and to its culture. As Convenor of the Board of Examiners she ensured that the degree of FEIS was never treated as a ritual reward – it had to be earned and she ensured that the processes of awarding the FEIS were rigorous and dignified.

“Her commitment to the EIS led to her undertaking the onerous duties of Vice-President and President while continuing to contribute fully to the work of the Education Committee. She made time and space for everyone and continued to do so in retirement.”

Outside the EIS, Norma Anne served on the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) from 1991 until 2007.

She was appointed Convener of the Council in 1999, a post she held for the next eight years.
Norma Anne Watson’s long and dedicated service to Scottish education was further recognised when she was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year’s Honours List in 2008.

Norma-Anne us survived by her husband, Chris, to whom she was married for 56 years. The EIS offers its condolences to Chris and to all who knew and loved Norma Anne.