Head Teacher, Howden St Andrews Primary School, 507.10 - WEL10610

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 Howden St Andrew’s Primary School and its Early Learning & Childcare class.

This is an exciting leadership role with the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a school community, with its own strengths, identity, and strong commitment to delivering high-quality learning experiences for all children from Early to Second Level.

The Head Teacher will play a pivotal role in ensuring excellence and equity, cultivating collaborative cultures, and driving continuous improvement in line with Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC, and West Lothian Council priorities.

We are looking for a leader who:

• Brings a clear moral purpose and commitment to high-quality learning, teaching, and outcomes
• Demonstrates a strong personal commitment to inclusion and child-centred practice
• Has the vision and resilience to a diverse and dynamic school community
• Can ensure high-quality early years provision aligned with Realising the Ambition
• Has experience or strong understanding of ASN
• Builds highly effective relationships with staff, children, families, partners, and the wider community
• Can successfully manage the operational and strategic demands of a leadership role

Howden St Andrew’s Primary are proud of their inclusive school with engaged families, committed staff teams, strong community links, and a shared focus on ensuring children flourish.

This post offers the opportunity to:

• Lead highly dedicated staff team
• Build collaborative culture
• Shape the strategic direction of early years and primary education
• Champion inclusive practice
• Drive ambitious improvement centred on children’s wellbeing, rights, and learning

Council values: Integrity, respect, fairness, working together

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.

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.

Written approval by the Catholic Church will be required for this position. Please see https://sces.org.uk/ for further information.

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.

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