Head Teacher, Meldrum Primary School, 510.12 - WEL10934

West Lothian Council; Livingston; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

West Lothian Council is seeking an experienced Head Teacher to lead Meldrum Primary School. The post offers 35 hours per week, 47 weeks per year, and permanent status with strategic leadership across the school community.

The ideal candidate will provide strategic direction, ensure high-quality learning and teaching from Early to Second Level, and promote wellbeing and children’s rights. GTCS registration and Into Headship qualifications are essential, with PVG clearance requirements noted.

Qualifications

• GTCS-registered (Primary) and Into Headship qualification required.
• Experience delivering leadership in Curriculum for Excellence and GIRFEC.
• Strong commitment to inclusion, equity and child-centred practice.
• Proven ability to lead improvement and raise outcomes in a primary school.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction and professional leadership within Meldrum Primary School.
• Ensure high-quality learning and teaching for all children from Early to Second Level.
• Lead improvement in line with Curriculum for Excellence and GIRFEC.
• Promote wellbeing, rights and achievements of children.
• Build effective relationships with staff, children, families, partners and the wider community.
• Manage operational and strategic demands of the head teacher role.

Skills

Moral purpose

Inclusion & equity

Leadership of a primary school

Relationship building

Strategic & operational management

Education

GTCS-registered (Primary)

Into Headship qualification

Standard for Headship

Job description

Job Advert

35 hours per week, 47 weeks per year, Permanent

West Lothian Council is seeking an experienced, values driven, and inspirational Head Teacher to lead Meldrum Primary School.

This post offers an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated leader to provide strategic direction and professional leadership within a vibrant and inclusive school community, ensuring high-quality learning and teaching for all children from Early to Second Level.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading improvement in line with Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC, and West Lothian Council priorities, while promoting a positive ethos that places children's wellbeing, rights and achievements at the centre of school life.

We are looking for a leader who:

• Brings a clear moral purpose and a strong commitment to high-quality learning, teaching, and improved outcomes for all learners.


• Demonstrates a strong personal commitment to inclusion, equity, and child-centred practice.


• Has the vision and resilience to lead a dynamic primary school.


• Has a strong understanding, and experience of, how to support children with Additional Support Needs.


• Builds highly effective relationships with staff, children, families, partners, and the wider community


• Can successfully manage the operational and strategic demands of this head teacher, leadership, role.

Meldrum Primary is an inclusive school with engaged families, a committed staff team, and strong community links. The school has a shared focus on ensuring all children are supported to flourish and achieve their full protentional.

This post offers the opportunity to:

• Lead a highly dedicated and professional staff team


• Further develop a positive, inclusive, and nurturing school culture


• Shape the strategic direction of primary education within Meldrum Primary School.


• Champion children's rights, wellbeing and inclusive practice


• Drive ambitious improvement, focused on high-quality learning, teaching and assessment

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.

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. 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.

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.

Candidates must be GTCS-registered (Primary) and must have completed, or be working towards, the Into Headship qualification.

Interview date: Long Leet Assessment - Likely to be week commencing 30 th November. Short-Leet Interview (Panel interview)- Likely to be week commencing 14 th December 2026.Council values: Integrity, respect, fairness, working together

For further information or informal enquiries, please contact West Lothian Council Education Services.