JODIE Hannan has told of her pride at becoming the first female headteacher of Musselburgh Grammar School, which celebrates its 400th anniversary in five years’ time.

Asked how she felt about her new appointment, which has brought her from the tropics to the Honest Toun, the 47-year-old mum-of-three told the Courier she was “delighted”.

She said she did not realise she would become the school’s first female headteacher until the present headteacher, Colin Gerrie – who is bound for a new job in Dubai – told her.

“That really is history in the making, along with an incredible 400-year anniversary to look forward to,” she added.

Ms Hannan said: “I love that the school is at the heart of such a strong, vibrant community, and the staff, pupils and parents I have met so far have been so welcoming.”

Born in Dunfermline, her family moved to the Solomon Islands in the southern Pacific, part of the British Commonwealth, when she was three.

Her father was a business studies teacher at the secondary college in the capital Honiara and her mother worked for the government.

They moved back to Edinburgh in 1982 but the lure of living in the tropics was too strong and they returned to the Pacific in 1984, this time to Vanuatu.

She attended the local secondary school in the capital Port Vila, then the family returned to Edinburgh when she was in S4 to sit her Standard Grades.

“I had the best childhood and didn’t appreciate it at the time,” she said.

After graduating from Strathclyde University in 1996, she worked in the hospitality industry, then went to Moray House to train as a teacher in 2002.

Ms Hannan, who lives in Edinburgh, said: “Teaching is the best job in the world and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

“I trained as a history teacher and completed my probationary year at Tynecastle High School in Edinburgh. I then moved to Dunfermline High School, becoming head of faculty in 2007 and depute rector in 2011.

“I took up post as headteacher at Drummond Community High School [in Edinburgh] in June 2016. I have been very lucky to work with brilliant young people, staff and parents in all three schools.”

Looking ahead to being at the helm of Musselburgh Grammar as the country emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, she said: “Being a headteacher is an incredible responsibility and honour. Families are putting their trust in you to make sure their children have the best school experience possible to make sure they are prepared for life after school, and this is particularly true as we come out of lockdown, as so many things have changed.

“Lockdown was very challenging on many levels but there have been silver linings to embrace, such as teachers developing their digital learning, and now that SQA exams have been cancelled for the second year in a row, important ongoing discussions about how young people should be assessed.

Our post-Covid world presents some challenges but many more opportunities to shape the education our children need, so it’s an exciting time to be in education.”

She added: “I think lockdown also confirmed the importance of community, kindness and looking after each other, and that is what schools are all about.

“Headship is such a rewarding job and I know that there have been many positive changes under Colin Gerrie’s leadership.

“I’m committed to taking the school from good to great – as the Grammar’s motto says, ‘the best school in Scotland’, with a dedicated staff team, enthusiastic students, and parents’ support.”

Ms Hannan has two sons, a daughter and two cats.

Her eldest son has left school, her daughter is in S3 and youngest son in P4.

She said: “Like so many families, juggling work and home schooling in lockdown was challenging for us all and we’re all looking forward to getting back to school properly.”

Ms Hannan takes up the post when pupils return to school in August following the holidays.