- Penicuik High School 39a Carlops Road, EH26 9EP
- £57,429 per year
- Contract Type:
- Position Type:
- Full Time
- 35 hours per week
Principal Teacher of Guidance
Fixed term until June 2026
We are seeking an enthusiastic and inspirational professional who will contribute to the effective leadership of this important area of our Student Support Services and be part of the schools continuing improvement journey. The right individual will possess strong people, operational and strategic management skills and have the necessary experience and knowledge to drive improvement in our student support services. Candidates should have wide Pastoral / Guidance experience and be able to offer evidence of working effectively to manage a caseload to the benefit of young people and promoting wellbeing, equity and inclusion within their role.
The right individual will have plenty of opportunities for career long professional learning and will be part of an experienced and ambitious extended management team.
If you want to be on the staff of a school that is serious about improvement and seeking excellence in the performance of its young people please contact the Head Teacher: Craig Biddick for a discussion of this post - telephone 01968 674 165.
Education in Midlothian
Currently, Midlothian has 6 secondary schools, 32 primary schools (19 of which have nurseries) and 2 stand alone nursery schools. Our special school, Saltersgate, provides support for children with a range of physical, social, emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties. The schools range in size from our smallest primary school with around 20 children to our largest secondary with over 1200 pupils. We have a diverse range of school catchments, from rural to urban settings. We are fortunate to have a growing number of new build schools, with 15 of our primary schools and 4 of our secondary schools having been built within the last 10 years with several new builds planned.
Penicuik High School is a co-educational, non-denominational school built in 1937 and situated on the south-western boundary of Midlothian. The school is one of two schools which serve the community of Penicuik. Structural changes to the original building have improved some facilities and access but the school requires refurbishment and some rebuilding and this is to be on the current site starting in August 202r.
The Penicuik Associated Schools Group comprises Cuiken, Strathesk, Cornbank and Sacred Heart Primary Schools. The current roll is 660. Roll growth will be steady over future years and depending on future developments across the learning estate could grow to around 950 pupils over coming years. The school is supported by a School Parents’ Partnership group who are our de facto Parent Council.
For more information on all aspects of our school and our improvement journey please visit the schools comprehensive website https://penicuik.mgfl.net/
Interviews will take place on the week commencing 2nd June 2025.
Pre Employment Checks/Requirements for Teaching Positions
If you are successful, our offer of employment will be conditional on satisfactory completion of pre-employment requirements, such as medical screening, two written references, one which must be from your most recent/current employer, verification of your original qualifications and your eligibility to work in the United Kingdom. Registration with the General Teaching Council and a satisfactory PVG check for Regulated Work with Children will also be essential.
General Teaching Council Scotland
Teachers applying for permanent posts should be fully registered with the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS). For further information on registration please visit: www.gtcs.org.uk
Regulated Work with Children
This post is considered Regulated Work with Children, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children.
Successful candidates will require a PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you. The fee for a Full PVG Scheme Membership is £59. You will be required to re-pay this amount to the Council by salary deduction over 6 consecutive pay periods. The fee for a PVG Scheme Record Update is £18. You will be required to re-pay this amount to the Council by salary deduction over 2 consecutive pay periods. If your employment concludes before the amount is re-paid in full, the outstanding balance will be deducted from your final salary. If you are an existing employee the Council will pay the cost of the Application Fee.
In your application we ask for information under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We ask you to disclose any unspent convictions. Disclosures should be made by writing to or emailing the Employment and Reward Manager, in confidence, giving details of the offence(s), penalty and date(s) of conviction. Applicants should note that failure to disclose a conviction which is subsequently advised through a Disclosure Scotland check may result in the withdrawal of any offer of appointment.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar an applicant from working with Midlothian. Decisions regarding suitability for positions of trust which are subject to vetting will be dependent on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of the offence(s).
For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit: www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.
Please apply on-line. Facilities are available at all public libraries in Midlothian.
If you have difficulty applying for this post or in accessing the attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please call 0131 271 3063 to speak to a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.
Sunday 25th May 2025