Former Dunbar Grammar School pupils now back as teachers

Matthew Parkes and Eilidh Hunter attended the secondary school from 2011 to 2017 before going their separate ways and on to university.

Now they are on the other side of the desk in the classroom and passing on their knowledge to a new batch of pupils.

Mr Parkes, who teaches physics, said: “I’m in the classroom teaching where someone taught me physics!

“It is a bit strange but I am working alongside people who taught me Higher physics.

“I did some volunteering at school so it is not too unusual!”

'Nervous but excited'

Both are NQT (newly qualified teachers) who will spend the next year teaching in their former school.

NQTs across the country are given the chance to rank local authorities in order of preference as they look to gain experience in the classroom.

With East Lothian top of the list, it was simply chance that saw Mr Parkes and Miss Hunter, both aged 23, back at their former stomping ground.

Miss Hunter, who teaches modern studies, was delighted to return to the school.

She said: “I think, initially, I was a bit apprehensive but in a good way.

“I was quite excited and it was quite comforting coming back somewhere I knew and was familiar with.

“I get on really well with the staff. I was a bit nervous but mostly excited about the whole thing.”

The East Linton resident went to the University of Aberdeen and studied politics and international relations.

'It seems to run in the family'

Meanwhile, Mr Parkes, who attended Dunbar Primary School, studied physics at University of Edinburgh.

The former pupils were then reunited at the University of Strathclyde as they did their Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

Miss Hunter added: “My mum teaches at Preston Tower Primary School [in Prestonpans] and has been a teacher for about 20 years. It seems to run in the family a little bit.

“Teaching was something I wanted to do when I was younger but had gone off the idea in school.

“During Covid at home with my mum, I saw what she was doing and the passion for it. Giving children the best opportunity –that’s what led me into it.”

Claire Slowther, headteacher at Dunbar Grammar, welcomed the two new members of staff back.

She said: “We were thrilled to find out that Eilidh and Matthew would return to us as teachers.

“They were both fantastic students who were widely involved in the life of the school and I am delighted to welcome them back.

“We pride ourselves at Dunbar Grammar on being a caring community and it is such an asset to have teachers who have grown up within the community and have come back to us to work.”