Head of History and Politics September 2026

The appointment will date from September 2026. Salary will be by negotiation and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Employment will be subject to one term’s notice on either side. All applicants must be either registered with GTCS or eligible for GTCS registration. If you are unsure of your eligibility you should check the GTCS website before applying. Other details and conditions of service will be discussed at interview.

This is an opportunity to lead a thriving History and Politics Department at Fettes College. The successful candidate will play an instrumental role in ensuring the school meets its principal aim of providing an excellent academic education for all of its students. The successful candidate will be relied on to provide strong leadership and effective line-management of a large History and Politics department, continually striving to enhance the quality of learning and achievement. They will be line-managed by the Deputy Head (Academic), supported by a Second in Charge of the Department, and work closely with other Heads of Department.

Main Responsibilities: Please see the full Job Description for duties and responsibilities for this role.

The Ideal Candidate: Successful applicants for a teaching post at Fettes would be expected to have the following characteristics:

• Ambitious, diligent, keen to develop their existing talents
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing
• Outstanding organisation with an ability to work flexibly to tight deadlines and to coordinate larger events
• Understanding and experience of the commitment required to lead a department
• Enthusiastic to become involved in all aspects of school life

About Fettes College: Fettes College is a leading HMC co-educational boarding and day school close to the heart of Edinburgh. It has a strong tradition of academic, sporting and cultural excellence underpinned by outstanding pastoral care. Fettes opened its doors in 1870 and became fully co-educational in 1980: it is now an independent school of some 785 students. There are 594 students in the Senior School (13-18 years) and 191 students in the Preparatory School (7-13 years). Fettes follows the English curriculum of GCSEs, and the dual pathway of A Levels and IB. Our full-boarding ethos ensures weekends are vibrant and fun.

The academic staff in the Senior School consists of the Head and 91 full-time members of the Common Room. Our Prep School shares the same site and consists of a further 29 full-time teaching staff. Fettes is a collaborative community in which every member is working towards fully realising their potential whilst supporting those around them. The school stands on a stunning and secure 100-acre site, but still within walking distance of Edinburgh’s city centre.

The historic main building holds the Chapel, Library, the English, Classics and History Departments as well as the Medical Centre and two boarding houses. A large purpose-built teaching block houses Art, Modern Languages, Mathematics, Economics, Geography and Music. The Theatre, Science Laboratories and Dining Hall are adjacent. The Preparatory School and seven further boarding houses (including a purpose-built co-educational U6th House) are also on the campus. Our sports facilities (including extensive playing fields, two all-weather pitches and a private Health Club) are excellent. We have a commitment to build even more ground-breaking facilities, including a Wellbeing Centre and construction of new Science and Innovation buildings.

As well as our teaching staff we employ over 220 Operational Staff across the many departments, including Estates, Security, Housekeeping, Finance, Admissions and Marketing with a pervading sense of community amongst staff, students and parents alike.

Our Vision: We have created and developed a bold new vision for Fettes, one which focuses on what we believe Fettesians should aspire to be, the skills they will need in life and the impact we want them to make in the world. We have called this vision Fettes Moving Forward: A place to live. A place to learn. A place to grow.

You can find out more about the vision - and how it shapes and informs Fettes' future at the Fettes website.

The Aims of the College: Fettes College will ensure that our students:

• Feel valued and respected as individuals
• Receive the highest possible quality of education, engaging them in rigorous and relevant opportunities in a dynamic curriculum that creates lifelong learners
• Feel safe, have a sense of personal worth, are thoughtful and considerate of the needs of others, while possessing a willingness to take on responsibility
• Are encouraged to stretch and challenge themselves
• Develop a sense of self-confidence, integrity, emotional resilience, loyalty, good manners, leadership skills and teamwork
• Value a sense of community
• Are surrounded by inspirational caring staff
• Feel represented and are provided with equal opportunities regardless of gender, identity, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or religion.

“Our Students will leave the school knowing themselves, looking out for others, capable of thinking critically and ready to make a positive mark on their rapidly changing world. They will be bold and visionary yet compassionate; they will possess a global perspective and be ready to embrace the opportunities of the future.”