We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced Teacher of English to join our successful English Department. The position will be available from August 2025. The English Department comprises eleven teachers, both full-time and part-time. The department occupies an attractive suite of rooms in the Old Building; it is well resourced, and each classroom is equipped with an LG TV screen in order to enhance learning and teaching. Pupils follow national courses enhanced by a rich experience of reading both contemporary and classic literature. There is significant emphasis on talking and listening skills, on creative writing, and on critical engagement with the media. Members of the department offer a variety of English-related extra-curricular activities, including creative writing, competitive quizzing, theatre trips, film-making and public speaking. Debating is a particular strength, and Heriot’s teams perform at the highest levels both in the UK and abroad. Pupils in S4 follow the SQA National 5 English specification. In S5, almost all pupils take English at Higher, and we offer Advanced Higher in S6; we also offer S6 pupils the opportunity to pursue Film Studies at AS level. The department achieves consistently excellent results, thanks in no small measure to the enormous commitment of its teachers. The successful candidate must be willing to teach English at all levels from S1 to S6. In addition to curricular responsibilities, the successful candidate will be expected to participate fully in the extra-curricular life of the school.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 payFamily friendly policies (Including Personal Emergency Leave Days)Continued professional development opportunitiesTravel to work schemesSchool Fee Remission (non-contractual benefit)Employee Assistance programme, including 24/7 counselling helpline and high street, supermarket, and general retail discountsOpportunities for involvement in the wider school communityWe 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 duties. The Ideal CandidateShould hold the following skills and attributes An excellent degree in English (or a English-related subject)An outstanding classroom practitioner capable of inspiring pupils with a love of EnglishAn innovative, imaginative approach to teaching and learningProven ability to relate well to and communicate effectively with pupils, staff and parentsA collegiate working style with the ability to work as part of a team.Ability to prioritise effectively and to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.Evidence of a continuing academic interest in EnglishAn understanding and commitment to the Heriot’s aims and valuesAdditional InformationHeriot’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 campusGeorge 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 SC011463About the school/organisationGeorge Heriot’s SchoolGeorge 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.
