The headteacher at Whitecraig Primary School is leaving the post at the Christmas break after being diagnosed with ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis).

Fiona Macartney told parents and carers in a letter, which was posted on social media, that she had been feeling “extremely unwell” and “struggling with a number of health issues.”

“With a recent diagnosis of ME, I have come to accept I cannot maintain the level of commitment needed full-time to support our children, staff and our community to thrive,” she said.

She has accepted a part-time post as an education support officer “to try and prioritise” her own health.

“This has not been an easy decision but unfortunately it has been a necessary one,” she added.

She said that the next step was to advertise the post and she was liaising with the council’s head of education for an acting headteacher to be in place from January.

She added: “I cannot thank everyone in our school community enough for all their support during my time as headteacher and I wish you all the best for the future.”

Miss Macartney took over as interim headteacher at Whitecraig in August 2019, in a shared role which also saw her working as headteacher at Stoneyhill Primary School in Musselburgh.

In October last year, she left Stoneyhill after seven years at the helm, becoming headteacher at Whitecraig.

Miss Macartney has taught in East Lothian her whole career, starting at Tranent Infant School before moving to Ormiston. She was then senior teacher at Pinkie St Peter’s Primary School in Musselburgh before becoming depute headteacher, with periods as acting headteacher. She was depute headteacher at Windygoul Primary School in Tranent and also Pencaitland before moving to Stoneyhill.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “The health and wellbeing of our staff is a priority for us.

“Miss Macartney is a valued member of the education service in East Lothian. We are fully supportive of her decision to seek an alternative position.

“We are about to commence recruitment for a new headteacher and will work closely with the parent council in progressing this appointment.”

Whitecraig Primary School Parent Council posted on social media: “This is very sad indeed.

“We wish Fiona all the best with her health and future, and thank her so very gratefully for all she has done for the school, the staff and the kids.”

Symptoms of ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), include: intense fatigue and a feeling of being unwell; pain in the muscles or joints; problems in the stomach or intestine; difficulty sleeping; and memory or concentration problems.