At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire students through dynamic lessons in History and other humanities subjects.
- Company: Join the vibrant St Leonards School, celebrating 150 years of educational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive team, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a forward-thinking school with a rich history and strong community spirit.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while teaching in a beautiful coastal town.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant discipline, PGCE/PGDE, and GTCS registration required.
The predicted salary is between 31650 - 43607 € per year.
Responsible to: Head of Individuals and Societies
Salary: Competitive
Hours of work: c.0.6 FTE, 12 months fixed term contract (Starting August 2026)
Job Purpose
The Individuals and Societies faculty at St Leonards is a truly inspirational place in which to work. You will join a well-established, collaborative, innovative and highly supportive team of colleagues who put the progress of pupils at their centre. This is an unparalleled opportunity to join one of the largest and most successful faculties at this exciting time in the School’s history, as we approach the 150th anniversary of the School’s founding.
While the primary focus of this role is History, we are particularly interested in candidates who possess the flexibility to teach other humanities subjects, or English, to MYP or GCSE level.
The Curriculum
In Years 7, 8, and 9, pupils follow the forward-thinking IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which encourages them to think critically and creatively about the world around them. Pupils have separate lessons from Year 7 in History, Geography, and English, while also benefiting from rich interdisciplinary teaching and learning across faculties. The humanities subjects are exceptionally popular at GCSE, with the vast majority of pupils continuing to study at least one. This strong engagement carries into the Sixth Form and beyond with a large proportion of pupils choosing to pursue humanities-related degrees at university level.
About the role
- Employ a range of teaching and assessment strategies and resources to lead dynamic and engaging lessons with a clear focus on pupil progress.
- Set expectations and pace of work which make appropriate demands on all pupils and ensure that all pupils are effectively challenged.
- Be reflective in practice, show an engagement with current educational thinking, and proactively seek opportunities for professional development.
- Identify and respond appropriately to pupils with difficulties in learning and recognise when to seek further advice in relation to their specific educational needs.
- Encourage pupils to take initiatives in, and become responsible for, their own learning.
- Assess pupil attainment in line with the School’s policy and against national standards where assessment leads to certification.
- Monitor, assess, record and report on aptitudes, needs and progress of individual pupils.
- Provide pupils with constructive oral and written feedback on their progress on a regular basis.
Curriculum Content:
- Demonstrate a sound knowledge of Science curricula.
- Support pupils’ skills in literacy and numeracy.
- Appreciate the effectiveness of ICT in learning and teaching.
- Contribute to the personal and social education of pupils within the School.
- With colleagues, plan and prepare coherent teaching programmes and lessons, including homework, which ensure continuity and progression in pupils’ learning.
- Demonstrate a sound knowledge and comply with Health and Safety guidelines and procedures.
Classroom Organisation and Management:
- Organise classes and lessons to ensure that all pupils are productively employed when working individually, in groups or as a class.
- Create and maintain a stimulating, purposeful, orderly and safe learning environment for all pupils.
- Manage pupil behaviour fairly, sensitively and consistently by the use of appropriate rewards and sanctions and know when it is necessary to seek advice.
- Evaluate and justify actions when managing pupil behaviour.
National and School Standards:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the IB programme and UK educational systems.
- Be a proactive pastoral tutor to a group of pupils, helping shape their academic and personal development.
- Contribute to the ethos of the School, for example, by promoting positive relationships among staff, parents and children.
- Report to parents about pupil progress and discuss matters related to their personal and social development in a sensitive and constructive way.
- Contribute willingly to the extra-curricular and boarding life of the School.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties. It is expected that the post-holder will participate in other reasonable activities which may be required to meet the needs of the School or for better fulfilment of the role.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education, Training & Qualifications
- Essential: Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline.
- Essential: PGCE/PGDE qualification.
- Essential: GTCS registration.
- Essential: PVG (Disclosure Scotland) membership.
- Desirable: Evidence of continued professional development.
Experience
- Essential: Proven experience of teaching at secondary level.
- Essential: Experience of teaching across Years 7, 8, and 9.
- Essential: Experience or understanding of pastoral support.
- Desirable: Experience of teaching or knowledge of the IB curriculum.
Skills
- Essential: Commitment to student learning and raising achievement.
- Essential: An excellent classroom practitioner.
- Essential: Ability to create and deliver engaging and effective lessons.
- Desirable: Skills and experience which can contribute to extra-curricular activities.
Interpersonal Skills
- Essential: Ability to work as part of a team.
- Essential: Ability to work independently and take responsibility for planning own workload.
- Essential: Professional manner and appearance.
Employment opportunities at St Leonards can be found at:
Closing time and date for applications is 1200 on Friday 5th June 2026. Early applications are encouraged and we reserve the right to appoint before the closing date. Interviews will be held during the week commencing 8th June 2026. Any questions may be directed to the Deputy Head (Academic): in the first instance.
About St Leonards
St Leonards is a friendly and forward-looking independent, coeducational, boarding and day school situated on an historic campus at the heart of the university town of St Andrews. The school enjoys an unrivalled location - there are sandy beaches, world-class Links golf courses, and historic sites on its doorstep.
St Leonards delivers the inspiring, globally-recognised International Baccalaureate curriculum for pupils aged five to 18, and was the first school to be accredited as an all-through IB school in Scotland. It is one of just two schools in the UK to actively offer all four IB programmes, ensuring a seamless learner journey.
St Leonards enjoys a rich sporting heritage, and continues to boast a strong record of achievement with pupils representing the school nationally in various sports.
Teacher of Humanities (History specialism) employer: Teacheroo
St Leonards is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where educators can thrive. With a commitment to professional development and a focus on pupil progress, teachers are encouraged to innovate and engage with a diverse curriculum in a picturesque location that boasts sandy beaches and historic sites. As the school approaches its 150th anniversary, this is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking institution that values both academic excellence and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Teacher of Humanities (History specialism)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow educators, attend local teaching events, and connect with alumni from your university. 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 those interviews! Research the school’s ethos, curriculum, and recent achievements. Tailor your answers to show how your teaching style aligns with their values and how you can contribute to their vibrant community.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for teaching! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've engaged students in history or other humanities subjects. Highlight any innovative methods you've used to make learning fun and impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Teacher of Humanities (History specialism)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that align with the role of Teacher of Humanities. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for teaching and the humanities shine through in your written application. Share specific examples of how you've inspired students or engaged them in learning – we love a good story!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon, so we can easily see why you're the perfect fit for our school. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Teacheroo
✨Know Your Curriculum
Familiarise yourself with the IB Middle Years Programme and how it integrates with other humanities subjects. Be ready to discuss how you can engage pupils in critical thinking and creativity, as this is a key focus for the role.
✨Showcase Your Teaching Strategies
Prepare examples of diverse teaching and assessment strategies you've used in the past. Highlight how you've adapted your methods to meet different learning needs and how you keep lessons dynamic and engaging.
✨Demonstrate Your Pastoral Care Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience with pastoral support. Share specific instances where you've helped students overcome challenges, showing your commitment to their personal and academic development.
✨Engage with the School's Ethos
Research St Leonards and its values. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the school's community, including extra-curricular activities, and how you align with their mission of fostering positive relationships among staff, parents, and students.
