Teacher of History and Politics (from January 2026 or sooner)

Package Description

Conditions of the Appointment

The appointment will date from January 2026 or sooner, depending on availability

The role is part time and for the remainder of this academic year, with scope to extend into next year depending on staffing needs

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: www.gtcs.org.uk before applying

Other details and conditions of service will be discussed at interview

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving History and Politics Department. The successful candidate will be an excellent classroom practitioner who can inspire students of all abilities and demonstrate a real enthusiasm for History and Politics.

Academic ability and rigour, a passion for learning and an enthusiastic approach to classroom teaching will be vital qualities for the successful applicant. We are looking for a 0.4 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) to teach History and Politics for the remainder of this academic year due to changes in our staffing needs. There may be scope to continue this role in the next academic year, and even to increase hours, as our staffing needs develop. 

Main Responsibilities

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

The Ideal Candidate

The Ideal Candidate 

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

•    Excellent academic pedigree

•    Ambitious, diligent, keen to develop their existing talents

•    Willing to embrace new experiences

•    Understand the commitment required of a boarding environment

•    Enthusiastic to become involved in all aspects of school life

About the school/organisation

ABOUT FETTES

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 (the Spens Building) 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 www.fettes.com/vision 

Please also watch (with sound on) our film below - Ode to Place - which complements the vision and captures the ethos of Fettes College and what a Fettes education means. 

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” Helen Harrison, Head