Principal Teacher - Paradykes Primary School

Job Description

Principal Teacher 

PT1 - £57,498 *subject to job sizing* 

Permanent

Full Time

There are currently 4 standalone ELC settings, 31 primary schools, 6 secondary schools, 1 special school and special provisions in each locality providing support for children with a range of physical, social, emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties.  The schools range in size from the smallest primary school, with approximately 50 pupils, to the largest secondary with approximately 1600 pupils. 

Paradykes Primary School is a co-educational, non-denominational school serving parts of Loanhead and Straiton. Loanhead is a town in Midlothian, in the commuter belt to the south of Edinburgh, and close to Roslin, Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith. The town was built on coal and oil shale mining, and the paper industries. Straiton is an area of newer housing and a retail park, which includes large retail stores such as Ikea, Costco and Next.

The main school building, which opened in October 2018, forms part of a larger complex which includes a leisure centre, a library and a medical practice, as well as SureStart Nursery and Loanhead After School Club. This session, the school comprised a nursery, catering for 48 full time places, and 14 classes from P1 to P7, for 355 children. Next session, we will be moving catchment from Lasswade High School to Beeslack Community High School.

The staff team is a close team and extremely committed. The Senior Leadership Team consists of an HT, a DHT and two PTs (one of which is this vacancy). The rest of the team includes 15 teachers, 10 Learning Assistants, two Senior Early Years Practitioners, 6 Early Years Practitioners, an Office Administrator, Office Support, a Facilities Manager, 4 cleaners and 7 catering staff.

This post is salaried at PT1 subject to job sizing. We are seeking a dedicated, nurturing and motivated Principal Teacher whose remit will be to oversee Personalised Support across the school, helping to ensure that the emotional and academic needs of our children are met.

We welcome applications from all primary registered teachers with leadership experience in the area of personalised support. The ideal candidate will have experience of supporting colleagues to ensure the wellbeing, inclusion and equity of all learners. 

Closing Date is Sunday 31^st May 2026. Interviews will take place on Monday 8^th June 2026.

We look forward to reading your application if you choose to apply.

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.

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

31st May 2026