Class Teacher in Balerno

Harmeny Education Trust is a charitable organisation providing therapeutic care and education to children who have experienced early years trauma through abuse, neglect and family disruption, referred from all over Scotland. We currently work with children and young people aged 5-18, both on a day and all-year-round residential basis.

We currently have an opportunity for a Primary Class Teacher with recent and significant experience of primary school teaching to join our outstanding Education Team on a permanent, full-time basis. Along with a creative approach to learning and teaching, the successful applicant will demonstrate a working experience of the Curriculum for Excellence. Most importantly, we are looking for a teacher who has an infectious enthusiasm for their teaching, with a drive and passion for supporting young people through to a positive destination.

You will be required to have the resilience to work with children who have social, emotional and behavioural needs in a nurturing, sensitive, caring way. Three school closure days are allocated for additional learning and development required for the specialist therapeutic learning environment that Harmeny promotes. Applicants should be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. A driving licence allowing the use of our vehicles is essential. The successful candidate will be required to work 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The working pattern for this post is 8.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

The successful candidate will be appointed on the Harmeny salary scale, at a point between 27 and 36 (£41,916 to £52,614) depending on qualifications and experience. Successful applicants will be required to join Disclosure Scotland’s Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme. Harmeny is a values-led organisation and a good fit with our ethos is as important to us as having relevant experience.

Harmeny is situated in a beautiful 35-acre woodland estate, which includes residential and education accommodation, community garden, orchard, wildlife habitats and children’s play areas. Harmeny is located in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh, at the foot of the Pentland Hills; we are easily accessible by bus and there is on-site parking available.

We offer benefits and opportunities that promote wellbeing, work-life balance and staff development. Benefits include:

• On-site wellbeing spaces and free massage therapy
• Free gym membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to a wellbeing app and counselling
• Access to discounts on shopping and events
• Access to a comprehensive induction package, and to a range of learning and development opportunities throughout their career with us.

More information on the benefits of working at Harmeny, plus a fuller job description and person specification can be found on our website. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact Mandy Shiel, Head of Education, by telephoning the Trust. To apply, please complete the application form via our recruitment section on the Trust website. Closing date: Friday 6th of February, 2026. Interview date: Friday 13 February, 2026.

Key responsibilities:

• Promote a positive ethos in the school consistent with Harmeny’s vision, purpose and core values.
• Implement management and Board decisions, consistent with Harmeny’s strategic and operational plans, as well as our policies and procedures.
• Plan, deliver and assess the children’s learning through the delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence within the Broad General Education and onto the Senior Phase.
• Undertake the duties of a teacher as defined by the GTCS.
• Write reports based on the children’s progress against their learning and resilience targets.
• Create and maintain a positive learning culture within the classroom.
• Encourage positive and appropriate behaviours, through the use of effective strategies which recognise the complex behaviours of children at Harmeny.
• Where required, as a last resort, implement physical intervention techniques.
• Oversee and provide guidance to and direction to support staff within the classroom setting.
• Assist the Education Management Team with the development of the curriculum, according to the Curriculum for Excellence principles and guidelines.
• Participate in the wider life of the Harmeny community by attending events after school hours from time to time.
• Work in accordance with all Harmeny policies and procedures.
• Liaise with Education and Care colleagues, parents/carers and a range of other professionals to ensure coherent working and positive outcomes for children.
• Contribute to our multi-disciplinary approach to working with children and their families, including contributing to children’s meetings.
• Ensure that the highest possible standards of professional practice are maintained, in line with the General Teaching Council for Scotland Professional Code of Conduct.
• Contribute to the delivery of learning and development, as appropriate.
• Be responsible for the maintenance of Harmeny equipment and ensure that educational resources are maintained to an excellent standard.
• Attend supervision, annual performance review, training and other meetings, as required.
• Take responsibility for Continuing Professional Development in line with GTCS.
• Provide absence cover for colleagues.
• Undertake any other duties delegated by the Head of Education or other Senior Management Team member, which are consistent with the role of a Secondary School Teacher.

Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• A professional qualification in education with GTCS recognition.
• Full, clean driving licence.
• Recent, relevant and significant experience in teaching within either a mainstream or specialist school setting.
• Experience of working with, and knowledge of, children with social, emotional and behavioural needs.
• Working knowledge of the Curriculum for Excellence through the Broad General Education and Senior Phase.
• Working knowledge of the Developing the Young Workforce policy and practice.
• Knowledge of child development, relevant legislation, policy and procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding.
• Ability to provide guidance and direction to support staff.
• Good organisational and administrative skills and computer literacy.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to safely drive children and staff to and from outings, activities and external meetings via minibus or fleet vehicle.

Personal Characteristics / Competencies:

• Experience of working with vulnerable families.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Commitment to high standards of teaching practice.
• Willingness to work with and support children and young people with additional support needs through their educational journey.
• Commitment to the attainment and achievement of the children, their rights and participation of children and their families.
• Creative, dynamic and positive approach to working with children and staff in a variety of environments.
• Ability to handle competing priorities and a challenging workload.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of the team, with a flexible and solutions-focused mindset.
• Emotional intelligence and an understanding of the needs of others, with a commitment to reflective practice.
• Accountable for the performance of the organisation, their team and their own performance.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.