New Head Teachers for six East Lothian primary schools

I know they will be well supported will make a positive contribution to their school communities and education within East Lothian.

The outcome follows successful recruitment campaigns for Gullane, Humbie and Saltoun, Musselburgh Burgh, St Gabriel’s R.C. and Whitecraig primary schools, and also to cover a secondment at Yester Primary School.

Gullane Primary School: Mr Ronnie Taylor, currently Head Teacher at Innerwick and Stenton primary schools, has been appointed to the position. Mr Taylor will take over in January 2021. Mrs Seonaid McGillivray, the present Head Teacher is retiring from the school at Christmas. A campaign will be launched in due course to recruit a new Head Teacher for Innerwick and Stenton.

Humbie & Saltoun Primary Schools: Mrs Deborah Crossan, currently Depute Head Teacher at Newtongrange Primary School, Midlothian, will join the school on a date to be confirmed. Mrs Crossan will be replacing Mrs Alison Cameron, who has been leading the schools along with her substantive post at Elphinstone Primary School, since February 2019. 

Musselburgh Burgh Primary School: Mr Jon Doyle, currently Acting Head Teacher, has been appointed to the permanent post of Head Teacher. Former Head Teacher, Mrs Karen Fleming, retired in August 2020. Mr Doyle’s formal start date is to be confirmed. 

St Gabriel’s R.C. Primary School: Mr Alex Buchanan, currently Acting Head Teacher /Depute Head Teacher at St Mary’s R.C. Primary School in Edinburgh, has been appointed to the Head Teacher role. Mr Buchanan’s start date is to be confirmed. Mrs McBean will continue to lead the school, a position she has held since August following Mrs Anne Torley’s retirement, alongside her substantive role at Loretto R.C. Primary School. 

Whitecraig Primary School: Miss Fiona Macartney, currently Acting Head Teacher at the school and Head Teacher at Stoneyhill Primary School, has been permanently appointed to the role at Whitecraig. A campaign will be launched in due course to recruit a successor for Miss Macartney at Stoneyhill Primary School.

In addition, Mrs Debbie Mercer, currently Depute Head Teacher at Cockenzie Primary School, will join Yester Primary School as Acting Head Teacher after the October break. The move is to cover Mrs Heather Williams’ secondment to Duns Primary School in Scottish Borders as Acting Head Teacher. The secondment is initially until Easter 2021 but could extend beyond that date. 

Cabinet member for Education and Children’s Services Councillor Shamin Akhtar said: “I’m delighted that we are able to confirm these announcements and send my congratulations to all of the new appointees. I know they will be well supported in their new role and will all make a positive contribution to their school communities and education within East Lothian. 

“I would like to pass on my thanks to Mrs Cameron, Mrs McBean and Miss Macartney who have undertaken shared headship roles to provide stability to schools during a period while recruitment campaigns were ongoing, and to the staff who have supported them to do so.”