Head of Junior

The Edinburgh Academy is seeking to appoint an outstanding Head of Junior Years to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the academic, pastoral and personal development of pupils in Geits (P7), 2nds (S1) and 3rds (S2). This is a highly influential position at the heart of the Senior School, offering the opportunity to lead a dynamic year group team and to make a lasting impact on the daily lives and long-term success of around 250 pupils.

The successful candidate will be an inspirational teacher and pastoral leader with the vision, energy and empathy to ensure that every pupil is supported to thrive — academically, socially and emotionally — during these crucial formative years. Working closely with the Deputy Rector (Student Life), the wider Pastoral Team and colleagues across the Junior and Senior Schools, the Head of Junior Years will oversee transitions, wellbeing, behaviour, engagement and progress, ensuring the highest standards of care, scholarship and character education.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced teacher with a strong leadership skillset to take on a significant promoted role within a forward-thinking and values-driven school, where relationships, ambition and pupil development sit at the heart of everything we do.

The post is available from August 2026.

The Head of Junior Years has responsibility for the pastoral and academic wellbeing of pupils in Geits (P7), 2nds (S1) and 3rds (S2) at The Edinburgh Academy. Assisted in their duties by three Assistant Heads of Year, who have direct leadership of these individual year groups, the Head of Junior Years oversees all aspects of student life for pupils in the Junior Years.

The Head of Junior Years will have a strong presence around the Senior School, and they will oversee the pastoral care and discipline of pupils in their year groups and take responsibility for the smooth daily running of the Junior Years.

The Head of Junior Years works within as part of the wider Pastoral Team who oversee support throughout the Senior School:

Head of Junior Years - P6 liaison/ Geits/ 2nds/ 3rds (P7/S1/S2) - 250 pupils approx.

Head of Middle Years - 4ths/ 5ths (S3/S4) - 210 students approx.

Head of Senior Years - 6ths/7ths (S5/6) - 220 students approx.

The role will contain elements of both academic and pastoral work, and as such would suit an experienced teacher with a wide-ranging skillset. The role will require the successful candidate to:

• Work collaboratively with the P5/P6 Department Head to ensure a smooth transition for our new Geits (P7) year group
• Oversee all transitions for new pupils joining the Junior Years – working with the Admissions Department.
• Work collaboratively with the wider Pastoral Team to share ideas, problems, information and strategies.
• Liaise with parents and families of EA pupils to be an important point of contact for pastoral/academic oversight of pupils in the Junior Years.
• Liaise with others, including outside agencies and organisations, to support pupil progress and wellbeing.
• Lead, support and develop the Assistant Heads of Year and their group of Class Teachers, and use their strengths to build a coherent and effective Junior Years team.
• Oversee the academic progress of pupils in their year groups in co-ordination with the Deputy Rector (Academics.) The Head of Junior Years is responsible for tracking pupils into and through their BGE year groups. Central to this is the process of target setting and review.
• Collaborate closely with the Junior School to build on their tracking and monitoring and develop the tracking system further into the Middle Years Team.
• Work collaboratively with the Deputy Rector Student Life on matters of well-being, safeguarding and when necessary, child protection, working alongside our CPC and Deputy CPC.
• Co-ordinate, publicise and monitor attendance at any clubs, societies and activities on offer to pupils in their year groups. This includes working with the Director of Sport to support the physical wellbeing of pupils.
• Oversee and encourage pupil involvement in co-curricular activities and track wider engagement of all pupils, seeking to build on their four…