Head of The Forest Juniors & Nursery
Merchiston Castle School
Edinburgh, City of
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- Autumn Term 2023
- Apply by:
- 24 February 2023
Job overview
Merchiston is seeking a Founding Head for The Forest at Merchiston who will play a key role in shaping the curriculum, atmosphere and ethos of this exceptional new addition to Merchiston. The ideal candidate will be able to enthuse about the benefits of a Forest education, show passion for the education and care of young children and brings with them a wealth of experience and ideas to ensure an exceptional provision.
The Forest Juniors & Nursery, is a new addition to the Merchiston family to meet the booming demand for outdoor learning for younger children. Nestled in our expansive, wooded campus, The Forest Nursery (ante and pre-school) and Juniors (P1 to P3) will open in September 2024.
This is a unique opportunity to be involved in the establishment and growth of The Forest (encompassing Forest Nursery and Forest Junior years). The first year in post (starting August 2023) will be prior to their opening of The Forest and the successful applicant will be expected to play an instrumental role in the successful launch of the Forest School and Nursery. We are looking for a natural leader and presenter who is not only enthused by the incredible educational offering we have developed but relishes the opportunity to promote and attract new families to join.
Once open, you will lead Early Level and First Level Teaching and Learning, embedding the Forest School philosophy into all aspects of the children’s learning. (As this is a new role, the use of this title does not indicate any limitation on the post holder’s duties or job function and the post holder may be assigned to different duties from time to time.)
This post is considered as Regulated Work with Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.
We can offer a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme, fee reductions, high quality free lunches and a range of other additional employee discounts.
For further details of the position, information about the School and application and recruitment procedures, please visit our website: https://www.merchiston.co.uk/. You can also view the School Prospectus and Location in the attachments below.
Please e-mail your completed Application Form, along with an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and Self-Declaration Form to hr@merchiston.co.uk
Applications will be considered as they are received and shortlisted candidates may be invited for interview prior to the official closing date. Merchiston reserves the right to appoint ahead of the closing date and thus early applications for this role are advisable.
Interested candidates can contact the Headmaster, Jonathan Anderson, at headmaster@merchiston.co.uk, should they wish to discuss this post further informally.
Closing date for applications is 24 February 2023 at 5pm.
Attached documents
About Merchiston Castle School
Educating boys for almost 190 years
Merchiston Castle School was founded in the centre of Edinburgh in 1828 by Mr Charles Chalmers. In 1833 the School moved to its second location, the old Merchiston Tower (now part of Napier University) with a total of 30 boys and the School started under the name of Merchiston Castle Academy. In 1930, the school moved to its current location, a 100 acre campus situated on the southern edge of Edinburgh, in the conservation village of Colinton; the buildings are surrounded by beautiful parkland which includes extensive playing fields.
In the Scottish private sector, boarding schools traditionally cater for pupils beyond the English norm of 13-18 and so Merchiston is an all-through 7-18 school. The 7-10 year olds have their own primary classroom teachers, although, in the case of the 10 year olds, Senior School Teachers augment the teaching. Therefore, it can be anticipated that teachers applying for any post within Merchiston will be expected to teach pupils from as young as age 10 to the rigour of the public examination year groups in the Fifth and Sixth Forms. We believe that this is a way of stretching boys.
Our Tradition
In today’s school, traditional Scottish elements, such as the wearing of the kilt for formal occasions, are very prominent, and the Pipe Band features frequently in School life. Rugby is played enthusiastically throughout the School, and indeed the annual fixture against The Edinburgh Academy, which has now been played continuously for over 150 years, is the longest established inter-club match in existence anywhere in the world.
Our Ethos
The School’s motto ‘Ready ay Ready’ features in the chorus of the School Song, which was last revised in the 1950s, but is much older in origin. This refrain is still sung enthusiastically by the School on frequent occasions. The School’s ethos is based on people and relationships, and particular importance is attached to the development of personal character and moral values in the pupils. The atmosphere, although in some respects formal, is also one of pleasant and relaxed collaboration between pupils and staff.
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