At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire and educate students in Chemistry, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
- Company: Join a dynamic school with a strong commitment to student success and community values.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a transformative educational journey in a vibrant community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while growing your teaching skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for teaching and a background in Chemistry required.
The predicted salary is between 35022 - 52740 £ per year.
Teacher of Chemistry
Main Grade Teacher
£35,022 - £52,740
Permanent Full Time - 35 hours per week
Currently, Midlothian has 6 secondary schools, 32 primary schools (19 of which have nurseries) and 2 stand alone nursery schools. Our special school, Saltersgate, provides support for children with a range of physical, social, emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties. The schools range in size from our smallest primary school with around 20 children to our largest secondary with over 1200 pupils. We have a diverse range of school catchments, from rural to urban settings. We are fortunate to have a growing number of new build schools, with 15 of our primary schools and 2 secondary having been built within the last 10 years and several new builds planned.
LHS is the largest secondary school in Midlothian. We have a proud history and strong track record of positive outcomes for our students. LHS campus incorporates community facilities with over 90 classrooms and high quality facilities to support learning and teaching. Our mission statement shapes our work; it is LHS is committed to nurturing, inspiring and empowering our students and staff to learn, progress and achieve at the very highest standard. We believe in our values; creativity, effort, kindness and respect and work together as a community to provide all our students with opportunities to succeed and reach their goals. Our school leavers are equipped and ready to contribute positively and embrace the challenges of being a local, national and international citizen.
We seek to recruit creative and innovative staff with a formidable work ethic, who work collegiately to improve experiences and outcomes for our students. Colleagues who are caring and empathetic. Individuals who are committed to their own learning. We will support your professional development as that way our students get the best experience we can possibly provide and our school realises its year on year improvement priorities.
INTERVIEW DATE - Monday 15th June 2026
Requirements
- Pre Employment Checks/Requirements for Teaching Positions
If you are successful, our offer of employment will be conditional on satisfactory completion of pre-employment requirements, such as medical screening, two written references, one which must be from your most recent/current employer, verification of your original qualifications and your eligibility to work in the United Kingdom. Registration with the General Teaching Council and a satisfactory PVG check for Regulated Work with Children will also be essential.
General Teaching Council Scotland
Teachers applying for permanent posts should be fully registered with the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS). For further information on registration please visit: www.gtcs.org.uk
Regulated Work with Children
This post is considered Regulated Work with Children, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children. Successful candidates will require a PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you. The fee for a Full PVG Scheme Membership is £59. You will be required to re‑pay this amount to the Council by salary deduction over 6 consecutive pay periods. The fee for a PVG Scheme Record Update is £18. You will be required to re‑pay this amount to the Council by salary deduction over 2 consecutive pay periods. If your employment concludes before the amount is re‑paid in full, the outstanding balance will be deducted from your final salary.
In your application we ask for information under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We ask you to disclose any unspent convictions. Disclosures should be made by writing to or emailing the Employment and Reward Manager, in confidence, giving details of the offence(s), penalty and date(s) of conviction. Applicants should note that failure to disclose a conviction which is subsequently advised through a Disclosure Scotland check may result in the withdrawal of any offer of appointment. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar an applicant from working with Midlothian. Decisions regarding suitability for positions of trust which are subject to vetting will be dependent on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of the offence(s).
For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit: www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.
How to Apply
If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email recruitment@midlothian.gov.uk to discuss with a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.
Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.
If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child, you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.
Closing Date Sunday 7th June 2026
Chemistry Teacher – Inspire Growth & Innovation (FT) in Bonnyrigg employer: Midlothian Council
Midlothian Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing environment for educators to thrive. With a commitment to professional development and a strong focus on community values such as creativity, kindness, and respect, staff are empowered to inspire and innovate in their teaching practices. The diverse range of schools and modern facilities in Midlothian provide unique opportunities for teachers to make a meaningful impact on students' lives while enjoying a collaborative and caring work culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chemistry Teacher – Inspire Growth & Innovation (FT) in Bonnyrigg
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow teachers, attend local education events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching the school and its values. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute to their community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. This will help you articulate your passion for teaching and your innovative ideas for the classroom.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Chemistry Teacher – Inspire Growth & Innovation (FT) in Bonnyrigg
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Chemistry:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for teaching chemistry shine through! Share specific examples of how you've inspired students in the past or innovative methods you've used to make the subject engaging.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and mission of LHS. Highlight your creativity, effort, kindness, and respect in your experiences, showing us how you align with our community-focused approach.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically so we can easily see your qualifications and what makes you a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Midlothian Council
✨Know Your Chemistry Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your chemistry knowledge, especially the curriculum relevant to the age group you'll be teaching. Be prepared to discuss how you would explain complex concepts in a simple way that engages students.
✨Showcase Your Teaching Philosophy
Think about your teaching philosophy and how it aligns with the school's mission of nurturing and inspiring students. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've implemented this in your previous roles or during your training.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and classroom management techniques. Prepare examples from your experience where you successfully handled challenging situations or adapted your teaching methods.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Professional Development
Highlight any ongoing professional development or training you've undertaken. Discuss how you plan to continue growing as an educator and how this will benefit your students and the school community.
