Roy was educated at the
University of Edinburgh where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. He then trained as a teacher and became principal teacher of Modern Studies at
Queen Anne High School Dunfermline in 1974. He was promoted to be Assistant Rector of
Kirkcaldy High School in 1983, but left after three years to be Depute Rector of
Glenwood High School in
Glenrothes. Starting in 1990, Roy became Rector of
Inverkeithing High School, being awarded with a
CBE for his work there in 2004. He served also as an Associate Assessor for HM Inspectorate of Education from 1996, and was appointed Chairman of the Curriculum and Student Affairs Committee of
Carnegie College in 1997. Becoming active in
The Headmaster's Association of Scotland, he was appointed as its president for the year 2004–05. ==Parliamentary career==