Senior Deputy Head (September 2025)

Job Description:

The Senior Deputy Head reports to the Head and is a member of the College Senior Leadership Team and, as such, will assist in developing a shared vision and strategic plan for the College in accordance with its aims and ethos.

Package Description

Terms of the Appointment

1. The appointment will begin at the start of the Autumn Term 2025.
2. Salary will be by negotiation and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.
3. This role includes remission for children attending Fettes as day students.
4. A four-bedroom modern house close to campus is available.
5. Employment will be subject to two terms' notice on either side. Other details and conditions of service will be discussed at interview.

Main Responsibilities

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

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate for this post is likely to have the following qualifications, experience and characteristics.

Qualifications

• Have a degree and a PGCE or equivalent.
• GTCS registration is essential.

Experience

• Have a proven track record of outstanding middle or senior leadership within a school context.
• Understand and have experience of a boarding environment.
• Be an experienced and successful classroom teacher.

Characteristics

• Be a strong, visible presence around campus, seeing the value of immersing themselves in the full life of this boarding school.
• Demonstrate an ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, students, parents and alumni of the school.
• Display excellent leadership skills with the capability to manage and inspire both staff and pupils.
• Possess exemplary communication skills with a wide range of stakeholders; IT literate.
• Be a dynamic and enthusiastic individual with the vision and ability to develop and implement strategic goals.
• Maintain a commitment to sustain the sector-leading pastoral care in the school.
• Capable of identifying problems and solving them creatively.
• Show a commitment to equality and diversity.
• Have an ability and willingness to have difficult conversations when necessary.
• Possess excellent organisational skills and adhere to deadlines.

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 P reparatory 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.