Head Teacher - Burnbrae Primary School

Job Description

 

Head Teacher 85,047

Permanent

Full Time

Currently, Midlothian has 6 secondary schools, 32 primary schools (19 of which have nurseries) and 2 stand alone nursery schools. Our special school, Saltersgate, provides support for children with a range of physical, social, emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties. The schools range in size from our smallest primary school with around 20 children to our largest secondary with over 1200 pupils. We have a diverse range of school catchments, from rural to urban settings. We are fortunate to have a growing number of new build schools, with 15 of our primary schools and 1 secondary having been built within the last 10 years and several new builds planned.

Burnbrae Primary is a large, modern, non-denominational school over two campuses, situated in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian. At the Burnbrae Road Campus we currently have 17 classes in our Primary School Primaries 1-7. The school's learning environment is enhanced with a well-resourced library, Expressive Arts Room, PE Hall, Meeting Rooms and break-out spaces inside and a MUGA, garden and trim trails outside. Our Primary One classes have their own outdoor learning space which is accessed free flow from a large playroom and classroom.

Burnbrae Primary has a large Nursery and Complex Needs Provision at Burnbrae Early situated on a Joint Campus with St Mary’s RC Primary. We have three bespoke playrooms and a large, stimulating, interconnected outside space as well as a large sand pit. The capacity is 120 over all three rooms but we expect about 88 children this session. Each room has a Senior EYP and we also have LAs to complement the team of EYPs, a designated DHT and the support of the HT and whole leadership team. Our Complex Needs Provision, known as Wee Brae, has 4 classes and a capacity of 32 children. The team comprises Teachers, EYPs and Learning Assistants led by a Principal Teacher. Support is provided by the Senior Leadership Team.

The Senior Leadership Team consists of three Depute Head Teachers and a Head Teacher supported by four Principal Teachers (2 part time).

Our vision is to Be You, Belong, Connect, and Grow. We believe in and promote the values of love, courage and curiosity. We place our learners at the centre of all we do and strive to ensure that all children achieve their highest potential in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Applications for this post are invited from A commitment to trauma informed practice and the vision and energy to promote the high standards of this school and Early Years team.

You will be a highly organised, values-driven leader who is motivated, and ambitious for the success of all young people. You will have a proven track record of delivering success in school leadership, demonstrating the necessary skills to provide excellence in leadership for the next phase of the school's improvement journey.

The successful candidate will have the necessary characteristics to work in a high-paced environment where innovation, commitment and inclusive practices are expected.

Interviews for the above post will take place on week commencing 4^th May 2026.

Requirements

Pre Employment Checks/Requirements for Teaching Positions

If you are successful, our offer of employment will be conditional on satisfactory completion of pre-employment requirements, such as medical screening, two written references, one which must be from your most recent/current employer, verification of your original qualifications and your eligibility to work in the United Kingdom. Registration with the General Teaching Council and a satisfactory PVG check for Regulated Work with Children will also be essential.

General Teaching Council Scotland

Teachers applying for permanent posts should be fully registered with the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS). For further information on registration please visit: www.gtcs.org.uk

Regulated Work with Children

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children.

Successful candidates will require a PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you. The fee for a Full PVG Scheme Membership is £59. You will be required to re-pay this amount to the Council by salary deduction over 6 consecutive pay periods. The fee for a PVG Scheme Record Update is £18. You will be required to re-pay this amount to the Council by salary deduction over 2 consecutive pay periods. If your employment concludes before the amount is re-paid in full, the outstanding balance will be deducted from your final salary. If you are an existing employee the Council will pay the cost of the Application Fee.

In your application we ask for information under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We ask you to disclose any unspent convictions. Disclosures should be made by writing to or emailing the Employment and Reward Manager, in confidence, giving details of the offence(s), penalty and date(s) of conviction. Applicants should note that failure to disclose a conviction which is subsequently advised through a Disclosure Scotland check may result in the withdrawal of any offer of appointment.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar an applicant from working with Midlothian. Decisions regarding suitability for positions of trust which are subject to vetting will be dependent on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of the offence(s).

For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit: www.disclosurescotland.co.uk

Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way PVG certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.

How to Apply

Please apply on-line. Facilities are available at all public libraries in Midlothian.

If you have difficulty applying for this post or in accessing the attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please call 0131 271 3063 to speak to a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.

Closing Date

Sunday 26^th April 2026