Depute Head Teacher - Dunbar Primary School - EAL11724

East Lothian Council; Dunbar; On-site; GBP 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational authority in Dunbar is seeking a Depute Head Teacher for its Primary School. The role involves leading educational initiatives and managing HR responsibilities across two campuses. Candidates must hold Full GTCS Registration and have a strong background in educational leadership. This temporary position offers an annual salary of £71,181 and is essential for enhancing student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in leading educational teams is essential.
• Proven track record in educational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Assist and deputise for the Head Teacher.
• Oversee curriculum implementation.
• Support HR matters for the teaching team.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum development

Communication

Education

Full GTCS Registration

Job description

Vacancy Information

DHT/HT Salary Scale Point 5 (£71,181 per annum)

Temporary maternity cover until 26 June 2026. Days and Hours of Work: Monday - Friday. To start 10 November 2025.

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. The John Muir Campus currently has fifteen P1-P3 classes and five rooms in our nursery. Within the John Muir Campus is the Local Authority Communication Provision (The Cove) for primary pupils. The Lochend Campus has twenty P4 - P7 classes.

Dunbar Primary School has a team of Deputes who support, and where necessary deputise for the Head Teacher across our two-campus school.

All Deputes are responsible for shaping and driving our curriculum, implementing areas of our improvement plan and leading quality assurance to promote improved educational outcomes for all in our care. They are also responsible for all HR matters regarding their team. The post holder will work within the Lochend Campus.

This Depute Head Teacher will have responsibility for P4 and P6 and responsibility for Positive Relationships policy and looking for an experienced leader with a proven track record to lead two year groups in the upper campus. Responsibility for 10 classes and around 300 children and must be able to work in a fast paced environment and balance competing priorities whilst retaining a positive disposition.

Interviews will take place in Dunbar Primary School the afternoon of 10 October 2025.

Job Details

The role of a Depute Head Teacher is to assist and, where necessary, to deputise for the Head Teacher as required. The role of the Head Teacher is, within the resources available, to conduct the affairs of the school to the benefit of the pupils and the community it serves, through pursuing objectives and implementing policies set by East Lothian Council under the overall direction of the Head of Education.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The East Lothian Way' - values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

• Relevant Qualifications
  Full GTCS Registration is required.
• PVG Membership
  This post is considered as a Regulated Role with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020.
• All preferred candidates for posts carrying out regulated work with these groups will be required to become a PVG Scheme member, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if they are already a member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.
• Please note: PVG member's records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG membership or update check, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant and investigated prior to any formal offer being made.
• Please note:
  If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/teachinginfo

Pay and Conditions

Please Note - Pay arrangements for those starting after 1st day of school session
In 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.

In these circumstances, a calculation will be carried out upon commencement of employment and leave and pay will be adjusted. Further information will be provided to the successful candidate should this be applicable.

East Lothian Council Schools:
Further details on all East Lothian Council Primary and Secondary Schools, including individual school websites can be found here:
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools

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If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on [e-mail]

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an import data from my CV' function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.