And the appointment of Morag McCreadie – a regular worshiper at the Church of Scotland's Teviot Parish Church near Hawick – has been given the personal blessing of Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of Scotland's 800,000 Catholics.

The 37-year-old will take control of both St Joseph's and St Margaret's RC School in Hawick with the newly-created designation, manager of learning.

Her appointment – a temporary one – is a result of problems finding head teachers for RC schools. There are 392 across Scotland – teaching around 125,000 pupils – and none have ever had a non-Catholic at the helm.

The current joint head of St Joseph's, St Margaret's and the non-denominational Roberton and Drumlanrig primaries retires today.

Roman Catholic schools were absorbed into Scotland's mainstream education system by an Education Act of 1918 – much later than the rest of Britain.

Religious leaders and education chiefs at Scottish Borders Council have been in talks about the difficulties of finding RC heads and how the problem could be solved.

A spokesman for the RC church in Scotland commented: "Cardinal O'Brien is grateful to the council for its efforts to ensure that catholic schools are staffed appropriately by qualified teachers.

"As a temporary measure for one school session, the Cardinal has agreed the appointment of Morag McCreadie as manager of learning in both St Joseph's RC in Selkirk and St Margaret's RC Primary in Hawick.

"Mrs McCreadie will be supported by a principal teacher in each school, who will take responsibility for the Catholic dimension of the school."

Council leader David Parker described the move as a positive step.

He said: "Personally, I don't think religious background, just like race or gender, should have anything to do with these issues as long as the schools get the right person."

The Scottish Catholic Education Service – which promotes Catholic education – admits the appointment is unique.

Its director Michael McGrath stressed: "The important thing is that the community supports the schools. We are obviously keen to ensure a Catholic education and I am sure the Archdiocese will have taken that into account."

Gillian MacDonald, chairperson of St Margaret's Primary School Parents Teachers Association, said she was pleased the schools were getting a more than qualified and experienced teacher, but added: "My only worry is that it may set a precedent and open the floodgates as I feel it is important to protect the identity of a Catholic school education."

Mrs McCredie has been teaching in the Borders since 1992 and is currently depute head at Drumlanrig Primary in Hawick.