At a Glance
- Tasks: Teach Geography to enthusiastic students and inspire their love for the subject.
- Company: Join George Heriot's School, Edinburgh's leading independent school with a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy enhanced sick pay, family-friendly policies, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive community that values kindness and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified teacher registered with GTCS, with strong communication skills.
- Other info: This role includes participation in extra-curricular activities and is a maternity cover position.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
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Teacher of Geography, Part-time (Circa 0.75 FTE), Maternity Cover, from November 25
Job Reference schooltalent/TP/606/2060
Number of Positions:
1
Contract Type:
Maternity/Paternity Cover
Commensurate with skills and experience.
Location:
Edinburgh
Closing Date:
05/09/2025
Department:
Teaching
Region / Division:
George Heriot\’s School
Job Role:
Teaching
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
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and committed Teacher of Geography to join our successful Geography Department on a part-time basis from the end of November 2025.
The Geography Department comprises four staff in addition to the Head of Department. The Department is well-resourced, with three dedicated Geography classrooms all with state of the art technology. We seek to make the teaching and learning of all aspects of Geography challenging and rewarding and encourage the development of knowledge and understanding and problem-solving skills in a variety of contexts including fieldwork.
At Heriot’s Geography is taught to all pupils in S1 and S2 and in S3 and S4 pupils can opt for National 5 Geography. In S5, Higher Geography is offered and in S6 Geography is offered at Advanced Higher level and at Higher level.
This is a high-achieving Department, which has enjoyed outstanding success rates in SQA National Examinations at all levels. The successful candidate must be willing to teach across all levels and appropriate support will be provided in line with his/her level of teaching experience. Previous experience of teaching Advanced Higher level, and competency in the use of technology applications and programs such as GIS, may be advantageous.
In addition to curricular commitments, the successful candidate will be required to participate fully in the extra-curricular life of the School
Main Responsibilities
Please see job description for full details.
The Ideal Candidate
- Appropriately qualified and successful teacher – registered with/eligible for registration with GTCS (essential attribute)
- Proven ability to relate well to and communicate effectively with pupils, staff and parents
- A collegiate working style with the ability to work well as part of a team
- Understanding and commitment to the Heriot’s aims and values.
- Ability to prioritise effectively and to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
Additional Information
Heriot’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and youngpeople 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 candidateswill 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 applicationsfrom 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.
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Teacher of Geography, Part-time (Circa 0.75 FTE), Maternity Cover, from November 25 employer: George Watson'S College
Contact Detail:
George Watson'S College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Teacher of Geography, Part-time (Circa 0.75 FTE), Maternity Cover, from November 25
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the ethos and values of George Heriot's School. Understanding their commitment to kindness, support, and community will help you align your teaching philosophy with theirs during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience with technology in the classroom, especially if you have used GIS or similar applications. This is a key aspect of the role, and demonstrating your proficiency can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the school's extracurricular activities. Showing your willingness to contribute beyond the classroom can demonstrate your commitment to the school community and enhance your application.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former staff members if possible. They can provide insights into the school's culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews or discussions.
We think you need these skills to ace Teacher of Geography, Part-time (Circa 0.75 FTE), Maternity Cover, from November 25
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the expectations and responsibilities of the Teacher of Geography position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these requirements.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous teaching experience, particularly in Geography. Mention any specific achievements or contributions you made in past roles that demonstrate your ability to engage students and enhance their learning.
Showcase Your Teaching Philosophy: Include a brief statement about your teaching philosophy in your application. Discuss how you plan to inspire students in Geography and contribute to the school's ethos of kindness and support.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a teaching role.
How to prepare for a job interview at George Watson'S College
✨Know the School's Ethos
Familiarise yourself with George Heriot's School's values and ethos, particularly their motto 'I distribute chearfullie'. Be prepared to discuss how your teaching philosophy aligns with their commitment to kindness, support, and community.
✨Showcase Your Teaching Experience
Highlight your experience in teaching Geography across various levels, especially if you have taught Advanced Higher. Be ready to provide examples of how you've engaged students and made learning enjoyable and effective.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since the Geography Department works closely as a team, emphasise your ability to collaborate with colleagues. Share examples of how you've contributed to a positive team environment and supported your peers in achieving common goals.
✨Prepare for Technology Integration
Given the emphasis on state-of-the-art technology in the classrooms, be prepared to discuss your experience with technology applications like GIS. Show how you can integrate these tools into your teaching to enhance student learning.