We are looking for a dedicated, committed, and enthusiastic Head of Rugby who plays a full role in providing and overseeing the rugby programme across George Heriot’s school. This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified individual to join the team for the new academic year in August 2025. Rugby at George Heriot's SchoolWe currently offer rugby at George Heriot's school through our P5 - S6 Games and Extracurricular programmes. We have regular matches across all year groups. We enter the Scottish Cup at U16 & U18 levels compete in the Boy's National 2 East Schools SRU Conference as well as friendly fixtures and the Sevens series. We also have a small cohort of girls’ players. Currently Junior School teams train once a week, and our Senior School teams train twice a week. The coaching team is made of PE staff, a small number of Junior School and Senior School class teachers and rugby coaches. Part of the role is to provide support and to development opportunities for the coaching team. We also support the Senior School rugby program with pre and post school Strength & Conditioning provision as well as video analysis. The Head of Rugby is responsible for managing all rugby related activity in conjunction with the PE team as well as coaching and managing the competitive teams and arranging all trips and fixtures throughout the season. The post holder is required to perform a range of duties related to the planning and coaching, curricular and extra-curricular rugby activities, this includes training, conditioning, and performance of rugby activity at Heriot’s. You will lead the team of Rugby coaches and develop a coaching programme, training sessions and a structure to ensure continued participation and uptake of rugby at the school. As well as working through the academic year the Head of Rugby will be expected to lead trips and pre-season training from time-to-time during school holiday periods. The successful candidate will also maintain close links with Junior & Senior School as well as being the main contact for parents, the SRU and other governing bodies.Package DescriptionWhen you join the team at Heriot’s, you become part of our community, where the contribution of every individual is important and valued. The Heriot’s motto, to “distribute chearfullie”, is at the heart of school - distributing of kindness, of support and of generosity remains as live today as it was in 1628 when George Heriot founded the school.Our most recent staff survey reported that 97% of employees at Heriot’s feel motivated and happy to work here and we aim to provide a friendly, welcoming, and supportive environment for all of our people. This aim is reflected in the package we offer which, for our teaching staff, in addition to salary (which includes a Heriot’s enhancement), teacher holidays and pension, includes:Enhanced sick pay, maternity and paternity payFamily friendly policies (Including Personal Emergency Leave Days)Continued professional development opportunitiesTravel to work schemesSchool Fee Remission (non-contractual benefit)Employee Assistance programme, including 24/7 counselling helpline and high street, supermarket, and general retail discountsOpportunities for involvement in the wider school communityWe aim to attract and retain a diverse group of talented people, who are committed to upholding the school’s ethos. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.Main ResponsibilitiesPlease see attached job description. The Ideal CandidateThe successful candidate will have had wide experience and knowledge of playing and coaching of rugby at all levels. The Head of Rugby is expected to have an enthusiastic and inclusive approach to the rugby programme which can cater to pupils at all levels.A formal Rugby coaching qualification is required – UKCC Level 2 as minimumAdditional InformationHeriot’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.This post is considered Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children and/or Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 and the successful candidates will be required to obtain membership of the PVG scheme.Please note that parking is not available on our campusGeorge Heriot’s Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.George Heriot’s School is governed by George Heriot’s Trust, Scottish Charity number SC011463About the school/organisationGeorge Heriot’s School
George Heriot’s School is Edinburgh’s leading independent school. Academically proven and recognised as sector-leading by Education Scotland in June 2024, the school’s best practice expertise in wellbeing, equality and inclusion, and in raising attainment and achievement, is acknowledged. The school has 1,670 pupils aged from 4-18, with a distinct family feel shaped by its 400-year motto: I distribute chearfullie. Working hard, being kind, and being yourself are the values which bind staff and pupils into a cohesive whole. Put simply, Heriot’s cares about its staff and pupils.
As Edinburgh’s oldest school, Heriot’s was founded through the generosity of George Heriot, jeweller and goldsmith to the court of King James VI/I and his wife Queen Anne. Goldsmiths at that time were the principal money lenders and Heriot was able to amass a small fortune which he left to found a school for the ‘poor bairns of Edinburgh’. Since it opened, the Foundation at Heriot’s has developed an unrivalled understanding of providing bereavement support and over the years has educated in excess of 5,700 Foundation pupils, each of whom received a fully funded education in keeping with the Founder’s wishes.
Separately, the school has continued to apply the transformative powers of education, opening 21 Out Schools in the 1800s which educated over 100,000 boys and girls in Edinburgh before the advent of the Children’s Act, and more recently supporting Serbian, Syrian and Ukrainian refugees to build a better life in Scotland. Each year the school spends approximately £1.3 million to support the education of bursary and Foundation pupils.
Today the school is an award-winning beacon: the only school in Scotland to receive the Gold Award from SAPERE for its teaching of philosophy in Junior School; awarded a third consecutive gold award for being a UNICEF Rights Respecting School and being voted the Sunday Times School of the Decade by readers in their Parent Power survey.
