Head Teacher, Connolly School Campus and Burnhouse (Skills Centre) School, 505.74

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35 hours per week, 47 weeks per year, Permanent

Connolly School Campus is a school for primary aged children with significant Social, Emotional and Behavioural Needs and Burnhouse (Skills Centre) is a school for young people of secondary age with social, emotional and behavioural needs. Young people are selected for placement at both schools by the local authority Education Placement Group, following an assessment of their additional support needs.

Connolly School Campus is located in the town of Blackburn for a maximum of 24 pupils from across West Lothian. Some facilities are shared with the neighbouring school Our Lady of Lourdes Primary school including the PE hall and dining hall supporting planned opportunities for inclusion and wider social interaction. Connolly has 4 classes, 4 class teachers, 1 Support for Learning Teacher and there are 8 advanced Pupil Support Workers who support pupils at class, group and individual level.

Our Values are -

Trust, Kindness, Respect, Partnership, Achievement

Our Vision statement is -

To provide a nurturing approach, underpinned by positive working relationship, aspiring towards positive destinations.

The school demonstrates a strong commitment to restorative and trauma-informed approaches, with young people supported through individualised programmes following incidents. This reflects inclusive practice and a focus on maintaining engagement and positive relationships.

Burnhouse (Skills Centre) is located in the town of Whitburn. At the start of session, 2025/26, 21 young people accessed support from the Skills Centre across 5 classes. Young people can access learning in the Skills Centre or through bespoke programmes delivered by staff in a range of settings including local partnership centres and other community resources. Staff support learners both within the Skills Centre and across the 13 mainstream secondary schools in West Lothian through the Inclusion and Support Service (ISS). This ensures a continuum of support, including outreach, preventative work and planned reintegration to mainstream settings where appropriate.

Our Values are -

Achieve, Support, Nurture, Partnership, Include, Respect

Our Vision statement is -

Working together with young people to inspire better futures

Burnhouse (Skills Centre) provides a supportive and flexible learning environment, with focus on improving outcomes for young people through partnership working and personalised support.

The Leadership team for both schools and ISS Secondary Outreach comprises of a headteacher, depute headteacher, a principal teacher of curriculum and a principal teacher. The school promotes the principals of GIRFEC and maintains close links with parents and mainstream schools.

 

West Lothian Council are committed to far reaching changes to the way we deliver our Education Services. These changes include giving you the support and environment that you need to get on with your job and develop your abilities. Our dedication is demonstrated by the whole council achievement of the Investors in People Standard and always aiming a little higher in our service delivery and improvements.

We are keen to employ a diverse workforce that reflects the people of Scotland. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly from groups currently under-represented, including people with disabilities, those from minority ethnic communities or from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

A relevant teaching qualification and registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland is essential.

After 1 August 2020, Education Authorities can only appoint the following categories of people as permanent Head Teachers: -

1. People who have achieved the Standard for Headship.
2. People appointed as permanent Head Teachers of a public school, a grant-aided school or an independent school on or before 1 August 2020.

A person who has not yet achieved the Standard for Headship may be appointed as a head teacher, provided the appointment does not exceed 30 months.

This post is also considered Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children and/or Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.  Successful candidates will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment and the cost will be met by the candidate.

The fee for a Full PVG Scheme Membership is £59 or Existing Member is £18. The £59 cost (where appropriate) will be deducted from your salary over a 1 or 3-month period by repayment schedule.  If your employment concludes before the amount is re-paid in full, the outstanding balance will be deducted from your final salary.