THE headteacher of Preston Tower Primary School has resigned.

A letter regarding the news was sent to parents and carers yesterday (Tuesday) by East Lothian Council’s director of education Lesley Brown.

The school’s headteacher Alison Cookson made the decision to resign for “personal reasons” and her last day will be April 19.

Following Ms Cookson’s departure and from April 20, after the Easter holidays, Sheona Skinner, headteacher at Longniddry Primary School, will become acting headteacher at Preston Tower Primary School until the end of the school year.

East Lothian Courier: Sheona SkinnerSheona Skinner

Preston Tower’s four depute headteachers will share leadership responsibilities, supported by Miss Skinner and the council’s education team.

Stephanie MacFadyen, depute headteacher at Longniddry Primary School, will become acting headteacher at Longniddry Primary School.

An advert for a new headteacher at Preston Tower will be placed in the upcoming weeks, with hopes to appoint a new head to the post by April or May, to ensure they are ready to begin the new school year in August.

A council spokesperson said: “We are all grateful to Ms Cookson for her time at Preston Tower Primary School and for leading the establishment of a single stream primary school for children from nursery to primary seven.

“The school’s depute headteachers and Miss Skinner will provide continuity of leadership for the school community ahead of a formal recruitment campaign to appoint a new headteacher.

“We are grateful to staff and parents from both schools for their support.”

Parents with any comments or questions regarding Ms Cookson’s resignation are asked to contact any of the depute headteachers at the school.

Ms Cookson became head at the newly merged school in 2019, after Prestonpans Primary School and Prestonpans Infant and Nursery School merged to form Preston Tower.

She joined East Lothian from her previous position as acting CEO with Salford Academy Trust.