Successful candidates will be recruited to a permanent post if they already have a substantive HT post and/or hold the Standard for Headship (through the SQH or Into Headship programmes). Successful candidates yet to achieve the Standard for Headship will be offered a temporary contract until such time as they successfully complete the now mandatory Into Headship programme, which must be within the nationally agreed timeframe of 30 months from appointment.
Dunbar Primary School is a very large non-denominational primary school split over two campuses serving the community of Dunbar and the surrounding villages; the roll continues to rise as additional housing is built in Dunbar. The current roll is just under 1,200 pupils from Nursery – Primary 7 and our provision for pupils with complex needs.
The John Muir Campus currently has fifteen P1–P3 classes and five rooms in our nursery. The school also has a specialist provision of 5 classes (The Cove) within the John Muir Campus for primary pupils.
The Head Teacher has no class commitment; there are six Depute Head Teachers, three based at the John Muir campus for our main stream pupils, one who has responsibility for The Cove, and two based at the Lochend campus. The school is also supported by one Principal Teachers - Inclusion and Support, one full and one part time support for learning teacher and a Family Support Worker.
Dunbar Primary School works within an ethos of Support, Inclusion and Nurture and our values of HONESTY, INCLUSION, KINDNESS, EFFORT and RESILIENCE (HIKER) are realised within and out with our school community.
The school has enthusiastic children, supportive parents, committed support staff and dedicated teachers. All staff have high expectations and are committed to raising attainment and achievement for all the pupils at Dunbar Primary School.
Further details about Dunbar Primary School can be found at: interviews are scheduled to take place on 19 March 2026.The role of the Head Teacher is, within the resources available, to conduct the affairs of both Schools to the benefit of the pupils and the communities they serve, through pursuing objectives and implementing policies set by East Lothian Council under the overall direction of the Executive Director, Education and Children's Services.
PVG MembershipThis post is considered as a Regulated Role with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020.
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. UK website.
For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: Note - Pay arrangements for those starting after 1st day of school sessionIn 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.
Further details on all East Lothian Council Primary and Secondary Schools, including individual school websites can be found here:Primary SchoolsSecondary Schools
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