Depute Head Teacher

Vacancy Information

DHT/HT Salary Scale Point 5 (£74,028 per annum)
Temporary until 26th June 2026.

Days And Hours Of Work

Monday – Friday
To start asap.

Position Overview

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to join the Senior Leadership Team of Dunbar Primary School with a remit of responsibility for The Cove Specialist Additional Support Needs Provision. The Cove was established in 2011 and currently accommodates 53 young people of primary age with autism, learning disability, communication disorders, high levels of sensory needs and anxiety. The Cove communication provision includes 7 classrooms, a Soft Play area, a Sensory room, a kitchen and a garden space. It also has access to a generous playground that wraps around the school offering a large grassy area, a quiet garden, a picnic area and a climbing area. Pupils enjoy trips out of school to local shops, nearby Bleachingfield Park, Dunbar Leisure Pool, Hallhill Sports Centre and the local library. Excellent links have been established in the local community where opportunities to practice skills in a real life setting can be supported. Pupils in The Cove have a place in their mainstream class and attend mainstream classes as best meets their needs. This is either in the same campus or over at Lochend Campus which hosts the Primary 4-7 pupils. The inclusion is meaningful and begins after close liaison with the teachers and families. It is based on the needs, interests and strengths of the pupils and collaborate planned by all. All pupils have an individualised educational programme of learning based on East Lothian\’s Curriculum Frameworks and CfE. The focus for IEPs is on communication, independence, Health and Wellbeing and meaningful inclusion. Partnership working is essential and many pupils have multi‑agency plans that are created in collaboration with pupils, parents, staff and where necessary external agencies such as Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapy and CAMHS. The Cove has evolved over the past 14 years and continues to make strong links with the families, other agencies, the mainstream classes and the community. The whole focus is to have the child at the centre. The Cove is nearing capacity and may be expanded. It is ideally placed for an experienced ASN leader to cover this absence and take staff and pupils on to the next phase of an exciting and rewarding journey.

Internal candidates wishing to apply for the post on a secondment basis must seek permission from their line manager before doing so.

Interviews

Interviews will take place in Dunbar Primary School the morning of 26 February 2026.

Job Details

The role of a Depute Head Teacher is to assist and, where necessary, to deputise for the Head Teacher as required. 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 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: East Lothian Teaching Information

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. 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

For assistance with MyJobScotland or application difficulties, please contact the MyJobScotland support team via the link on the job posting page.

Application Instructions

We do not accept CV\’s (either electronically or by mail). All vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the online 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 online application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.