Head Teacher, St Margaret's Academy, 492.101

Job advert

Long leet interviews will take place on 11^th June 2025 in St Margaret’s Academy

Short leet interviews will take place Week beginning 23^rd June 2025

Applicants proceeding to Long leet will be notified on Friday 6^th June 2025

Salary subject to Job Sizing

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

• People who have achieved the Standard for Headship.
• 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.

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.

St Margaret’s Academy is seeking to appoint a highly motivated and innovative Head Teacher who is committed to improvement and strives for excellence.

The successful candidate will lead the vision for the school and implement strategies to achieve this vision. This is a key post which comes at an exciting and challenging time for education. This is an outstanding opportunity for a dynamic, creative, critically reflective and forward-thinking school leader to work in a superb Roman Catholic secondary school.

St Margaret’s Academy is a Catholic secondary school situated in Livingston, West Lothian. The school has six associated primary schools drawing a comprehensive mix of students and serves the communities of Livingston, Pumpherston, Polbeth, West Calder, East Calder and Mid Calder. The current school roll is 1100 students with 110 members of teaching and non-teaching staff including those designated to support students with additional learning needs.

St Margaret’s Academy has an excellent reputation in the local community, particularly for the high standards of conduct and confidence displayed by students. In addition to the formal curriculum, a wide range of extra-curricular activities are on offer. The school receives a high level of support and encouragement from parents. Attendance at parents’ evenings is very good, and information and consultation exercises are well supported.

The successful candidate will lead in the ongoing journey of an inclusive, ambitious and distinctively Catholic school culture with a future-oriented curriculum which embeds twenty first century pedagogies, embracing all aspects of a Curriculum for Excellence.

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

This post is 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.

Written approval by the Catholic Church will be required for this position. Please see www.sces.uk.com for further information.

Job Advert

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.

School Aims:

 To ensure the highest level of attainment and achievement across the curriculum for our young people.

• To provide a high quality learning and teaching environment and curriculum that encourages each young person to develop their full potential encouraging young people to develop as responsible citizens, successful learners, effective contributors and confident individuals.
• To provide effective support systems to meet the needs of all young people which promote personal, social and spiritual development.
• To provide a welcoming, peaceful, joyful and happy environment, which actively develops confidence, self-esteem and respect for religious, cultural and social diversity.
• To provide high quality leadership at all levels.
• To help young people to play a full and active part in the life of their community and to encourage participation by parents, parish and the wider community in the life and work of the school.