We are seeking to appoint a suitably qualified, experienced and enthusiastic Principal Teacher of English to lead our successful English Department, from August 2025.
The Department is comprised currently of eleven colleagues, and includes full-time English teachers, a Depute Head, members of the Guidance team, and the Principal Teacher of Citizenship. There is also an Assistant Principal Teacher of English contributes to all areas of departmental management. The Department is well-resourced and occupies a suite of attractive rooms in one of the ‘turrets’ in the school’s historic Old Building. All classrooms are equipped with computer projection facilities which include 75-inch LCD television screens.
English is taught to all students in S1-S4, and all are presented for the SQA National 5 exam at the end of S4. Almost all students proceed to Higher English in S5, and about 35 every year choose Advanced Higher in S6. There is a strong focus on the teaching of major literary texts throughout the Senior School, and an excellent results profile at all levels. The Department also offers AS Film Studies, to the WJEC (Welsh Exam Board) Specification, as a one-year course in S6.
Members of the Department run a variety of subject-related extra-curricular activities, including debating, quizzing, creative writing clubs, book clubs, and film-making.
This is an outstanding opportunity for the right candidate to lead an established, high-achieving department in one of Scotland’s leading schools.
All applicants must be registered, or eligible for registration, with the GTC Scotland.
Package DescriptionWhen you join the team at Heriot’s, you become part of our community, where the contribution of every individual is important and valued. The Heriot’s motto, to “distribute chearfullie”, is at the heart of school - distributing of kindness, of support and of generosity remains as live today as it was in 1628 when George Heriot founded the school.
Our most recent staff survey reported that 97% of employees at Heriot’s feel motivated and happy to work here and we aim to provide a friendly, welcoming, and supportive environment for all of our people. This aim is reflected in the package we offer which, for our teaching staff, in addition to salary (which includes a Heriot’s enhancement), teacher holidays and pension, includes:
Enhanced sick pay, maternity and paternity pay
Family friendly policies (Including Personal Emergency Leave Days)
Continued professional development opportunities
Travel to work schemes
School Fee Remission (non-contractual benefit)
Employee Assistance programme, including 24/7 counselling helpline and high street, supermarket, and general retail discounts
Opportunities for involvement in the wider school community
We aim to attract and retain a diverse group of talented people, who are committed to upholding the school’s ethos. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Main ResponsibilitiesPlease see attached job description for full details.
The Ideal Candidate
An excellent degree in English (or a English-related subject)
An outstanding classroom practitioner capable of inspiring pupils with a love of English
An innovative, imaginative approach to teaching and learning
Proven ability to relate well to and communicate effectively with pupils, staff and parents
A collegiate working style with the ability both to lead the department and to work as part of a team.
Ability to prioritise effectively and to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
Experience of leading initiatives
Evidence of a continuing academic interest in English
An understanding and commitment to the Heriot’s aims and values
Additional Information
Heriot’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.
This post is considered Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children and/or Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 and the successful candidates will be required to obtain membership of the PVG scheme.
Please note that parking is not available on our campus
George Heriot’s Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.
George Heriot’s School is governed by George Heriot’s Trust, Scottish Charity number SC011463
About the school/organisationGeorge Heriot’s School
George Heriot’s School is Edinburgh’s leading independent school. Academically proven and recognised as sector-leading by Education Scotland in June 2024, the school’s best practice expertise in wellbeing, equality and inclusion, and in raising attainment and achievement, is acknowledged. The school has 1,670 pupils aged from 4-18, with a distinct family feel shaped by its 400-year motto: I distribute chearfullie. Working hard, being kind, and being yourself are the values which bind staff and pupils into a cohesive whole. Put simply, Heriot’s cares about its staff and pupils.
As Edinburgh’s oldest school, Heriot’s was founded through the generosity of George Heriot, jeweller and goldsmith to the court of King James VI/I and his wife Queen Anne. Goldsmiths at that time were the principal money lenders and Heriot was able to amass a small fortune which he left to found a school for the ‘poor bairns of Edinburgh’. Since it opened, the Foundation at Heriot’s has developed an unrivalled understanding of providing bereavement support and over the years has educated in excess of 5,700 Foundation pupils, each of whom received a fully funded education in keeping with the Founder’s wishes.
Separately, the school has continued to apply the transformative powers of education, opening 21 Out Schools in the 1800s which educated over 100,000 boys and girls in Edinburgh before the advent of the Children’s Act, and more recently supporting Serbian, Syrian and Ukrainian refugees to build a better life in Scotland. Each year the school spends approximately £1.3 million to support the education of bursary and Foundation pupils.
Today the school is an award-winning beacon: the only school in Scotland to receive the Gold Award from SAPERE for its teaching of philosophy in Junior School; awarded a third consecutive gold award for being a UNICEF Rights Respecting School and being voted the Sunday Times School of the Decade by readers in their Parent Power survey.
