MACMERRY Primary School’s headteacher has said he has no plans to put his feet up, as he retires from the role at the end of the school year.

Jonathan Revell, 55, has been headteacher at Macmerry Primary School for nearly four years, having previously served as headteacher at Prestonpans Primary School from 2016 to 2019.

Mr Revell was working in education in Aberdeenshire when he took on the role at Prestonpans after responding to a video appeal by pupils to help find a new headteacher.

Now living in Edinburgh with his wife, Mr Revell said that he did not feel as though he was retiring.

He said: “I am not using the term ‘retiring’; it is more ‘taking my pension early’. I definitely won’t be sitting with my feet up, I will be pursuing another career.”

While he said he could not confirm what his future held, Mr Revell felt it was the right time to move on.

'I want to try something else'

He added: “I wanted to try something else before it’s too late. I am still young enough that I can go into another field.

“I have absolutely loved my time at Prestonpans and at Macmerry. East Lothian is a beautiful part of the world and the kids at both schools have been a joy to lead.

“I think now feels like the right time to move on. The job isn’t getting any easier, especially since Covid and with the cost-of-living situation at the moment.

“Schools are being required to become even more integrated within the community and with parents. The job is not getting easier but it is still one I have enjoyed.”

Mr Revell believed that he had achieved all he could at Macmerry Primary.

'A good group to end my time on'

He said: “The school has recently passed its inspections and I think it is in a really good place at the moment.

“It also feels like a good group to end my time on. The kids and staff have been great, a really lovely group; it feels like a good way to end my time.

“Everyone has been supportive of my decision. I think a lot of the kids are already excited to see who comes in next.”

Mr Revell also said that he planned to stay in Edinburgh, which he described as a “great place to live”.

East Lothian Council has begun advertising for a replacement and Mr Revell had some advice for them.

He said: “I would say just to stick with your gut. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions and ones with a lot of impact.

“My replacement should have a passion for the school and want to make it better, and should make decisions they feel are best for the school.

“I wish them luck!”