HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Erskine Stewart Melville; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme

Wellbeing and staff benefits

Job summary

Erskine Stewart Melville invites a senior educational leader to take the helm of the Junior School, steering nursery to Primary 7 with a focus on outstanding education, wellbeing and pastoral care.

Reporting to the Principal and joining the Executive Leadership Team, you will shape the school’s direction, lead a high-calibre staff and nurture a culture of inclusion, safeguarding and high achievement for every pupil.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within a Junior School environment.
• Track record of leading educational improvement and organisational development.
• Experience developing, motivating, and leading high-performing teams.
• Strong curriculum, pastoral and safeguarding leadership experience.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinking while remaining visible and engaged in school life.
• GTCS registration (or eligibility for registration).
• A recognised teaching qualification and degree-level qualification.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Nursery to Primary 7.
• Ensure exceptional education standards, wellbeing and pastoral care.
• Lead and shape the Junior School's strategic direction and development.
• Inspire, develop and empower a skilled staff team.
• Champion excellence in learning, teaching and curriculum development.
• Foster wellbeing, inclusion and safeguarding in decision-making.
• Build partnerships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Contribute to whole-school strategy as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Skills

Senior leadership

Curriculum leadership

Communication

Pastoral & safeguarding leadership

Education

GTCS registration or eligibility

Qualified teacher

Degree-level qualification

Job description

Head of Junior School

Job Reference

schooltalent/TP/48855/2901

Number Of Positions

1

Contract Type

Full Time Permanent

Location

Edinburgh

Closing Date

23/11/2026

Department

Senior Leadership Team

Region / Division

ESMS

Job Role

Teaching

The Role

Head of Erskine Stewart Melville Junior School

Shape the Future. Inspire Young Minds. Lead with Purpose.

A rare and exciting opportunity to lead one of Scotland's most distinctive Junior Schools. As Head of Junior School at Erskine Stewart Melville (ESM), you will have the opportunity to shape the educational experience of children from Nursery to Primary 7, inspire a talented and committed team, and play a key role in the strategic leadership of one of Scotland’s most respected independent schools.

The Junior School years are where confidence is built, curiosity is nurtured and lifelong foundations are formed. This role offers the chance to make a lasting impact at this crucial stage of a child's development, ensuring every pupil is challenged, supported, and empowered to flourish.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will help shape the future direction of ESM while leading a vibrant Junior School community that is ambitious, inclusive and values-driven.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Principal, the Head of Junior School provides strategic and operational leadership across Nursery to Primary 7, ensuring exceptional standards of education, wellbeing and pastoral care.

This Is An Opportunity To

• Lead one of Scotland's leading Junior School communities.
• Shape the strategic direction and future development of the Junior School.
• Inspire, develop and empower a highly skilled and dedicated staff team.
• Champion excellence in learning, teaching and curriculum development.
• Foster a culture where wellbeing, inclusion and safeguarding underpin every decision.
• Build strong and meaningful partnerships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Contribute to whole-school strategy and decision-making as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Ensure every child is known, valued and supported to achieve their full potential.

About You

You will be an experienced educational leader with the vision, credibility, and personal qualities to lead a thriving Junior School community.

We Are Looking For Someone Who Has

• Significant senior leadership experience within a Junior School environment.
• A successful track record of leading educational improvement and organisational development.
• Experience developing, motivating, and leading high-performing teams.
• Strong curriculum, pastoral and safeguarding leadership experience.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to think strategically while remaining visible, approachable, and engaged in the life of the school.
• GTCS registration (or eligibility for registration).
• A recognised teaching qualification and degree-level qualification.

Most importantly, you will share our belief that every child deserves to be known, valued, challenged, and supported to thrive.

Why Join Us?

We Offer

• The opportunity to lead one of Scotland's foremost Junior Schools.
• A key leadership role influencing the future direction of ESM.
• An ambitious, supportive and welcoming school community.
• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• Membership of the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme.
• A comprehensive range of wellbeing and staff benefits.

Deadline for applications is 12 noon on Monday 23rd November 2026.

This is more than a leadership role. It is an opportunity to shape futures, influence lives and make a meaningful contribution to a school community that is ambitious for every child.

If you are excited by the opportunity to lead, inspire and make a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.

Safeguarding

Erskine Stewart Melville is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate child protection screening and pre-employment checks.

Attached Documents

• Candidate Pack - Head of Junior School at Erskine Stewart Melville.pdf