Package Description
When 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.
The Role
Due to the retirement of a long-standing member of staff, we are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and passionate Teacher of Modern Studies to join our highly successful History, Modern Studies and Politics Department from August 2026. The ability to teach History, and/or Politics alongside Modern Studies is desirable, but not necessary.
The vision of the History, Modern Studies and Politics (HMSP) department is to create a respectful, caring and active learning environment which challenges both pupils and staff to strive for excellence and think critically about the world around us and our place in it.
All pupils in S1 study History and then in S2 History and Modern Studies. From S3-S6 the department delivers N5 through to AH courses in History and Modern Studies, and Higher Politics in S6. Both the Crime and the Law and Comparative Politics options are currently offered to those studying Advanced Higher Modern Studies.
At George Heriot's, the HMSP Department is in a strong position to be able to furnish young people with a wide base of knowledge and skills, which will enable them to be global citizens and participate effectively in a democratic society.
With this strong foundation of knowledge, the subjects of History, Modern Studies, and Politics empower young people to develop their critical literacy skills. Active learning sits at the heart of our approach, making the learning experience engaging, thought-provoking, challenging, and enjoyable. We place a strong emphasis on developing students' confidence in handling evidence and in fostering their ability to question, enquire, and think independently
The Ideal Candidate
We are seeking a skilled and enthusiastic teacher who can work effectively as part of a high‑performing team, and who will contribute to -and actively support- the vision of the department and the wider school which includes an extensive extra-curricular programme.
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/organisation
George 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.