Principal Teacher - St. Mary's RC Primary School

Vacancy Information

Principal Teacher Salary Scale Point 1 (£57,498 per annum)

Days of work:
Monday - Friday
To start 10th August 2026.

Applications are welcome from current probationers pending attainment of full registration with the GTCS.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in our team as Principal Teacher here at St Mary’s RC Primary School. As well as the attached job outline, the role will include Sacramental Preparation as well as a strong focus on the Early Years curriculum. The ideal candidate will ensure consistency and progression in Learning, Teaching and Assessment whilst raising attainment across Early Level. In addition, the successful candidate will lead the planning, delivery, and evaluation of high-impact interventions for Literacy, Numeracy and Health and Wellbeing across P1 – P3.

St Mary’s RC primary School is a vibrant, nurturing, and inclusive school community. We are a Roman Catholic School, serving the needs of Roman Catholic and non-denominational pupils in Haddington with five mainstream classes and a Nursery. Our school roll is currently 112 and at capacity, our Nursery roll is 80. Our Nursery is a 48-week setting where two groups of 40 children attend 2 days and alternate Fridays over the school year and holidays.

Our school building is a Joint Campus which we share with the lower school of Haddington Primary School. We have our own Music Room however we share our Gym Hall, Dining Room, and Playground. We enjoy very positive relationships in the Joint Campus with Haddington Primary School.

St Mary’s has a highly active Parent Council and PTA where parents are encouraged to participate in all aspects if school life. We also have a close working relationship with our Parish Priest and are currently working on children becoming more actively engaged in the Parish.     

Job Details

Subject to the policies of the school and the Council, the duties of Principal Teachers are to perform such tasks as the Head Teacher shall direct. These should give reasonable regard to overall teacher workload related to:

Curricular development and quality assurance.
Contribute to the development of school policy in relation to the behaviour management of pupils.
The management and guidance of colleagues. Review the CPD needs, career development and performance of colleagues.
Provision of advice, support and guidance to colleagues.
Responsible for the leadership, good management and strategic direction of pastoral care within the school.
Assist in the management, deployment and development of pastoral care staff.
Implement whole school policies dealing with guidance issues, pastoral care, assessment and pupil welfare.
Working in partnership with colleagues, parents and other specialist agencies as appropriate.
Working alongside class teachers to share best practice and take forward the Improvement Plan priorities.
Participate in the overall administration of the school.
Assist in aspects of the School Improvement Plan

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
GTCS Registration (General)
Evidence of CPD

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