Head Teacher - Dunbar Primary School

Vacancy Information

DHT/HT Salary Scale Point 15 (£102,633 per annum)

Days and Hours of Work:
Monday - Friday
To start 10th August 2026.

Successful candidates will be recruited to a permanent post if they already have a substantive HT post and/or hold the Standard for Headship (through the SQH or Into Headship programmes). Successful candidates yet to achieve the Standard for Headship will be offered a temporary contract until such time as they successfully complete the now mandatory Into Headship programme, which must be within the nationally agreed timeframe of 30 months from appointment.

Dunbar Primary School is a very large non-denominational primary school split over two campuses serving the community of Dunbar and the surrounding villages; the roll continues to rise as additional housing is built in Dunbar. The current roll is just under 1,200 pupils from Nursery – Primary 7 and our provision for pupils with complex needs .

The John Muir Campus currently has fifteen P1–P3 classes and five rooms in our nursery. The Lochend Campus has nineteen P4–P7 classes. The school also has a specialist provision of 5 classes (The Cove) within the John Muir Campus for primary pupils.

The Head Teacher has no class commitment; there are six Depute Head Teachers, three based at the John Muir campus for our main stream pupils, one who has responsibility for The Cove, and two based at the Lochend campus. The school is also supported by one Principal Teachers - Inclusion and Support , one full and one part time support for learning teacher and a Family Support Worker.

Dunbar Primary School works within an ethos of Support, Inclusion and Nurture and our values of HONESTY, INCLUSION, KINDNESS, EFFORT and RESILIENCE (HIKER) are realised within and out with our school community.

The school has enthusiastic children, supportive parents, committed support staff and dedicated teachers. All staff have high expectations and are committed to raising attainment and achievement for all the pupils at Dunbar Primary School.

Further details about Dunbar Primary School can be found at:
https://sites.google.com/edubuzz.org/dunbarprimary/home

Longleet interviews are scheduled to take place on 19 March 2026.
Shortleet interviews are scheduled to take place on 1 April 2026.

Job Details

The role of the Head Teacher is, within the resources available, to conduct the affairs of both Schools to the benefit of the pupils and the communities they serve, through pursuing objectives and implementing policies set by East Lothian Council under the overall direction of the Executive Director, Education and Children's Services.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
Full GTCS Registration is required.

PVG Membership
This post is considered as a Regulated Role with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020.

All preferred candidates for posts carrying out regulated work with these groups will be required to become a PVG Scheme member, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if they are already a member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.

Please note: PVG member’s records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG membership or update check, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant and investigated prior to any formal offer being made.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living out with the UK in the last 5 years then you will be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link:
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/teachinginfo

Please Note - Pay arrangements for those starting after 1st day of school session
In accordance with Teachers Conditions of Service (SNCT - Appendix 2.19), Teachers who commence employment with East Lothian Council after the first day of the school session will have their salary for the remainder of the school salary year (which runs from 1 August to 31 July each year), ; recalculated to reflect how teachers accrue leave and pay.

In these circumstances, a calculation will be carried out upon commencement of employment and leave and pay will be adjusted. Further information will be provided to the successful candidate should this be applicable.

East Lothian Council Schools:
Further details on all East Lothian Council Primary and Secondary Schools, including individual school websites can be found here:
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.