Job Vacancies | St Mary's Music School | A leading music school in Edinburgh

St Mary’s Music School is seeking to appoint an HR Officer to work in the School Bursar’s Office.
The successful candidate will have qualifications and/or experience working in an HR role. In addition, they will have proven administration skills and IT abilities, excellent verbal and written communication skills and a good level of numeracy. Experience in working in a school or education environment is not a requirement. Training support may be available for candidates working towards CIPD or similar qualifications.

A flexible and positive attitude to work is essential, along with excellent attention to detail; tact and discretion are required as work in the Bursar’s Office is confidential. The post-holder should be able to work independently and as part of a small team.

We are a small school in which no two days are the same. Staff adaptability and flexibility are key, along with a willingness to be hands-on when necessary. The HR Officer will be one of a team of administrative staff headed by the Bursar and including the Bursar’s Office, School Office and Facilities staff. The line manager for the post will be the School Bursar.

This is a part-time post of 16 hours per week, working over the full year. Days and times may be flexible, in consultation with the School Bursar.

Job Description

Human Resources

• Dealing with correspondence, enquiries and problems, ensuring that strict confidentiality is maintained at all times;
• Assist the Bursar with staff disciplinary, grievance, capability or performance procedures;
• Co-ordination of probation and appraisal meetings with line managers;
• Assist the Bursar to review and update all HR policies on an annual basis;
• Undertake HR projects as required by the Bursar;
• Creation and maintenance of staff files, both electronic and paper based;
• Administration and recording of annual leave and statutory leave periods.

Staff Recruitment

• All aspects of administration relating to recruitment of new staff;
• Preparation of employment contracts for approval by the Bursar;
• Arrangements for new staff starter processes.

Staff Training

• Maintenance of staff training records; 
• Arrangements for individual and group training events, both in-house and external;
• Ensuring all staff complete mandatory training as appropriate.

Compliance – Data Protection

• Privacy Officer;
• Cyber security compliance, alongside IT Administrator;
• Compliance with school policies and regulatory requirements.

Compliance – Health & Safety

• Risk Assessments as relate to staff members;
• Working alongside the Health & Safety Officer to ensure compliance with all school health and safety policies and procedures;
• Member of Health & Safety Committee.

General duties:

• Ensure that the requirements of the GDPR are met;
• Promoting the School generally;
• Undertaking appropriate and agreed training and maintaining a personal record;
• Participating in any arrangements for appraisal of performance;
• Participating in extracurricular activities as appropriate;
• Attending staff meetings as required;
• Other duties as required by the Bursar or Headteacher.

Hours of Work

16 hours per week, to be worked between 8.30am and 4.30pm over 4 or 5 days. Specific times and days to be mutually agreed with the Bursar.

Closing Date:

10am, Monday 23 February 2026

Interview Date:

Week commencing 2 March 2026

Start Date:

Monday 20 April 2026

Complete the application form by clicking the link below. Applications and a covering letter should be emailed to vacancies@smms.uk  Full job description for the role can be found below.

JOB DESCRIPTION

APPLICATION FORM

St Mary’s Music School requires a Janitor/Maintenance Assistant to work alongside our Maintenance Manager.

The main building, Coates Hall, was built in the Victorian era and is complemented by five more modern buildings in the grounds. Strong practical and janitorial skills are required for the maintenance of these diverse buildings.

The post-holder should be able to work independently and as part of a small team. We are looking for someone who can think on their feet, is proactive and has great attention to detail. This is a school where no two days are the same and a “can-do” attitude to work is essential.

St Mary’s Music School aims to offer the highest possible standard of education and musical training in an inspiring, inclusive and supportive environment, and all staff are expected to support the pupils and encourage them to achieve of their best.

This is a full-time post of 40 hours per week, working over the full year.

Job Description

Specific duties:

• Janitorial duties, alongside the Maintenance Manager, including set-up of rooms, Dining Hall and Sports Court, manual handling and checking of school boilers;
• Carry out small repairs, painting, plumbing, electrical and joinery work as agreed and approved by the Maintenance Manager and the School Bursar;
• Maintenance of the grounds, including gardening and litter clearance, and salting of road and pathways in winter;
• Assist the Maintenance Manager to ensure that adequate cleaning is carried out;
• Take part in a rota of non teaching staff to assist after hours as necessary e.g. for special occasions such as Open Days, Concerts & Prizegiving, parents evenings etc;
• Promote and help to safeguard the health, welfare and safety of pupils, staff and visitors;
• Health & Safety duties including checking fire alarm system and extinguishers, emergency light testing, water system management, PAT testing, and maintaining risk assessments in connection with janitor’s duties;
• Order cleaning materials and janitorial supplies as required;
• Cover for kitchen staff absences;
• Cover for cleaning staff absences;
• In July and August, during Summer Enterprises, the duties may include cleaning and laundry, food handling and serving, front-of-house duties, etc;
• Act as a deputy to the Maintenance Manager as necessary;

General duties:

• Undertaking appropriate and agreed training and maintaining a personal record;
• Participating in any arrangements for appraisal of performance;
• Participating in extracurricular activities as appropriate;
• Attending staff meetings as requested;
• Other duties as required by the Bursar or Headteacher.

Hours of Work

40 hours per week, either 7.30am to 4.30pm or 9.30am to 6.30pm (based on a rota) Monday to Friday, with a one hour break for lunch.

Complete the application form by clicking the link below. Applications should be emailed to vacancies@smms.uk  Full job description for the role can be found below.

Application closing date: We will be interviewing as applications are received. 

Start date: As soon as possible

JOB DESCRIPTION

APPLICATION FORM

The Kitchen Assistant is one of a catering team of five staff, headed by the School Chef and including an 
Evening Kitchen Assistant, Saturday Kitchen Assistant and a Part-Time Chef. 

We are happy to consider either a Term Time only role, working approximately 37 weeks per year, or a 
full-year role, including work while groups are in residence in our Boarding House over the summer 
months. The role is 40 hours per week, normally 7am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday, during the school session. Hours outside of the school session may vary.

This position will suit someone with an interest in food and nutrition and a willingness to learn and 
improve kitchen and catering skills.
 

Job Description & Areas of Responsibility

• Prepare fillings and sandwiches according to instructions from the School Chef;
• Prepare and serve breakfast;
• Order catering supplies as instructed by the School Chef;
• Serve and wash up after meals;
• Help with catering for evening and weekend events e.g. for special occasions such as Open Days, 
• Concerts & Prizegiving, parents evenings etc;
• Ensure that the kitchen cleaning log and fridge temperature checks are completed;
• Clean in kitchen, servery and dining hall as instructed by the School Chef;
• Ensure that catering areas meet the requirements for hygiene and food safety;
• Promote and help to safeguard the health, welfare and safety of pupils, staff and visitors;
• Undertake appropriate and agreed training and maintain a personal record;
• Other tasks as requested by the School Chef, Maintenance Manager, Bursar or Headteacher.

Complete the application form by clicking the link below. Applications should be emailed to vacancies@smms.uk  Full job description for the role can be found below.

Application closing date: 30 January 2026. We will be interviewing as applications are received. 

Start date: As soon as possible

JOB DESCRIPTION

APPLICATION FORM