Head of Careers and Higher Education from August 2026

Purpose of Job  

The Head of Careers and Higher Education works to ensure that The Glasgow Academy (TGA) students get expert and independent advice to enable them to make decisions about their future. The purpose of this role is to design, implement and evaluate the whole-school Careers programme. They will be responsible and accountable for the delivery of the school’s programme of career education, information, advice and guidance, and to make sure that TGA meets our responsibilities with Education Scotland. The Head of Careers reports to the Deputy Head (Head of Upper School) and is expected to operate effectively in two broad areas, enabling them to contribute to and support the shared strategic vision for the school.

1. Leadership and Management  

2. Careers Advice & Guidance 

With respect to leadership and management, the Head of Careers and HE should:  

• Ensure the Careers office is a welcoming and accessible place for all students and holds accurate and up-to-date information 
• Oversee the planning and delivery of a careers and guidance programme for students of all ages which ensures they are inspirational, informed, open-minded and enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead of them 
• Coordinate and oversee all Careers Department events, e.g. Careers Days, lectures, seminars and UCAS talks
• Understand the implications of a changing education landscape for career guidance, leading a team of teachers, administrators, external partners and others who deliver career guidance
• Report to and advise the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) on policy, strategy and resources for career guidance, showing how they meet the Benchmarks
• Review and evaluate career guidance and provide information for school development planning, inspection
• Ensure compliance with the legal requirements to provide independent career guidance and give access to providers of technical education or apprenticeships, to students in schools, including the publication of the policy statement of provider access on their website
• Liaise with SLT communications and publicity for subject choices, Higher Education and employment 
• Work closely with the Head of PSE to ensure that the Careers and PSE programmes complement each other
• Support UCAS applications, including leading on all early and overseas applicants 
• Deliver internal and promote external CPD opportunities for staff to develop/maintain their knowledge of Higher Education, employment and apprenticeship opportunities 

With respect to Advice, the Head of Careers & HE should  

• Coordinate an efficient system of impartial and appropriate 1:1 or small group careers advice and guidance and draw up action plans for students, prioritising the following stages:
• S2 to discuss subject choices for National 5 qualifications 
• S3 and S4 to discuss developing careers plans and enable students to make informed post-16 decisions through PSE and Tutor time 
• S5 to discuss post-school options (including university / apprenticeships) based on evolving career plans
• S6 for individual support such as mock-interviews or an opportunity to discuss changes to post-18 plans
• Identify and prioritise students who are likely to need more support with post 16 or 18 options. This includes bespoke help and support for candidates to Oxford and Cambridge; who are applying for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine
• Advising on university visit days, UCAS days etc. This may include apprenticeships, internships, art foundations courses and advice on gap years
• Liaise with academic and pastoral staff to identify students needing guidance
• Coordinate with External Relations to effectively connect current students to alumni for careers guidance and work experience opportunities with all necessary safeguarding measures in place
• Be available on results day to provide advice for students in consultation with SLT 
• Maintain a database of the advice and experiences students have received throughout the school
• Ensure students’ choices are appropriate and ambitious and that they are aware of the pathway choices that best suit their needs
• Actively engage with students and parents in order that they are informed and aware of career pathways

The School

The Glasgow Academy is an ambitious, warm, welcoming, thriving and forward-thinking fully co-educational HMC independent day school of around 1700 pupils aged 3-18. It is highly popular, growing in a planned way over the last 14 years. It consists of the Senior School, of around 800 pupils of 11-18 years of age, and a Preparatory School (which has three sites all of which has a Nursery/Kindergarten). Recruitment at the school is very strong at every age group.

We have a long tradition of fostering academic excellence and we are proud of our pupils’ achievements. Results in external examinations are consistently among the best in the country. We have an open and inclusive entry policy and present pupils for a significantly greater number of Higher examinations than many other schools. In 2024/2025 our pass rate at National 5 A-C rate was 98% with the A pass rate at 81%. and at Higher was 97% with 75% of entries awarded A grades. In S6, the pass rate was 91% for Advanced Higher with 53% of entries awarded grade A.

Beyond academic achievement we want all of our pupils to thrive and contribute to a rapidly developing modern world and to do that we must ensure they leave The Academy with a socially conscious, innovative and global outlook. Our aim is that we provide our pupils with rich learning experiences that best prepare them for life after The Academy and also places value on the importance of sustainable education for future generations. Through further development of our local, national and global partnerships our aim is that we have a greater impact on lives within and out with The Academy community.

The school's latest £15 million new building won Best Building in Scotland, the UK's richest architectural prize. The school has invested around £27 million in its facilities over the last decade or so and continues to invest heavily and strategically.

Person Specification

Qualifications/experience:

 It is desirable, but not essential, that the Head of Careers should:

• hold a good honours degree in any subject
• hold, or be working towards the L6 award in Careers Leadership (or similar)
• have experience of designing and delivering a careers programme and guidance to students aged 11-18
• have experience of providing advice and guidance to young people
• have experience of leading training or teaching groups of young people
• have knowledge of and understand the government’s statutory guidance for schools and colleges on providing careers guidance 
• understand the importance of pastoral care, along with safeguarding and child protection issues Skills and Abilities

The successful candidate should: 

• have strong communication and interpersonal skills
• have the ability to solve problems and make decisions, collaborating as necessary
• have a high level of written and spoken English
• have strong IT skills, alongside with strong organisational and administrative skills 
• have the ability to create and maintain strong, supportive and collaborative relationships with staff, parents/guardians and students
• be able to plan their time effectively Personal/professional qualities
• have a clear commitment to the school's strategic vision and its ethos 
• have a clear commitment to our students and their learning, wellbeing and safety, maintaining maintain high expectations of our students at all times
• demonstrate a willingness to be fully involved in school life, collaborating with all the stakeholders
• have the ability to write reports, keep accurate records, communicate effectively, deliver messages with sensitivity whilst recognising the need to sometimes deliver a less welcome message
• be aspirational and empathetic, with a genuine belief in the potential of every student 
• be resilient, determined and whilst knowing when to be pragmatic
• be flexible and resourceful
• demonstrate innovation and creative thinking, alongside a commitment to continuing professional development

The Appointment

Applications are welcome from both teachers or suitably qualified non-teaching professionals. If you are a teacher you will be required to hold and maintain GTCS registration and there may be opportunities for teaching alongside this role.

The appointment is for August 2026 and is a part- time (0.6 - 0.8 FTE) permanent position.

Competitive salary based on experience

The Glasgow Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all appointments are subject to membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme

The Glasgow Academy is committed to providing equality of opportunity and ensuring that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender and transgender status, race and ethnicity, religion and belief, marriage or civil partnership status or sexual orientation.

The Glasgow Academy is a War Memorial School with a long history of employing ex-serving personnel, reservists and spouses of serving personnel. We look favourably on applications from those mentioned above; we understand the extra burdens placed on these individuals and as an organisation are fully committed to supporting them and their families.

It is a legal requirement that all employees must demonstrate that they are entitled to live and work in the UK. You will be required to produce documentary proof e.g. passport and work permit, where applicable, to demonstrate your eligibility to work if selected for interview.

www.theglasgowacademy.org.uk 

How to Apply

Applications should be made using the official application form and must be submitted by email to recruitment@tga.org.uk by 4pm on Friday 24th April. Interviews will take place shortly afterwards

Candidates should include details of their particular interests and what contributions they feel they can make to the wider life of the school.