Package Description
Location: George Watson’s College, Edinburgh
Contract Type: Part-time, Permanent, Term Time only
Hours of work: Up to 19.5 hours per week are available however there is flexibility in number of hours / days worked.
Rate of Pay: £15.21 - £21.75 per hour (rate of pay includes a market pay supplement) (rate offered to be confirmed depending upon experience and qualifications).
Benefits: Automatic enrolment in the contributory support staff defined contribution pension scheme, reduced school fees at George Watson’s College for children of staff, Membership of the Galleon Club (the school’s fitness club)
The Role
We are looking to recruit enthusiastic, energetic and experienced Swimming Instructors to deliver lessons for our new swimming school programme at George Watson’s College. Instructors will be responsible for planning and delivering lessons over a 6-day period, delivering the Scottish Swimming learn to swim framework. There is also opportunity to teach Adult 1-1 lessons in the evenings and work additional hours delivering swim camps during the school holiday; this will be paid at a higher rate to include holiday pay.
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Core hours will be 3.30pm - 6.30pm = 3 hrs per day - Monday to Friday
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Saturday will be 08:45am to 13:15pm = 4.5 hrs
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Working days available are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Hours of work will be up to 19.5 hours per week, term time only (36 weeks plus professional learning days). The annual leave entitlement is seven weeks per year making a total of 44 weeks.
Applications will also be considered from those wishing to be employed on a casual basis.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please click the Apply button. Please include a letter of application of not more than 800 words giving us more information about you and why you would like the role, addressed to Karen McArthur, Swim School Coordinator.
Closing date: 11:59pm on 17 June 2026
Interviews (including a swim test) will be scheduled for week commencing 22 June and/or 29 June 2026.
Main Responsibilities
- To provide enjoyable, motivating and engaging swimming lessons for the new Galleon Swim School programme.
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To provide swimming lessons each day, over a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (3 hrs) and Saturdays (4.5 hrs) following an adapted Scottish Swimming learn to swim framework. Lessons will be run over the hours of 3.30pm to 6.30pm and Saturday 08:45am to 13:15pm.
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To be responsible for delivering the Swim Programme. You will deliver lessons and work with the Swim Coordinator to ensure you are happy with the Framework you are delivering and take part in future CPD sessions and development plans.
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Demonstrate and deliver an attitude of positive customer relations and ensure that a high level of customer service is maintained at all times
The Ideal Candidate
- At least 1 years teaching experience in a swimming environment.
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Passion for swimming and teaching techniques to a high standard
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Demonstrable previous experience of delivering Swimming lessons to SSTQ, UKCC level 2 standard or equivalent
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Can create your own classes, whilst following The Galleon Swim School Programme.
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Be able to demonstrate all four strokes.
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In the water teaching experience without the use of floatation devices
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High professional standards of conduct
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Good understanding of health and safety requirements of a swimming environment
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Excellent and professional interpersonal and written/oral communication skills; communicates in a confident, clear, and concise manner always
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Excellent organisational and planning skills, combined with the ability to remain calm under pressure and deal flexibly with changing priorities
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Personal qualities include, tact, diplomacy, friendly, helpful and a professional manner
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Good understanding of what it means to provide excellent customer service
About the school/organisation
George Watson's College sits in the heart of Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, providing a world-class education for children and young people from Preschool to Senior 6.
We encourage our pupils to develop a love of learning through an inspiring curriculum and an extensive and inclusive enrichment programme, which are underpinned by the four values we live by: aim high, be kind, join in and respect all.
Our school is a place where pupils have the freedom to thrive, succeed, explore, perform, and grow, giving them the opportunity to discover their own limitless potential.
Preschool, junior and senior pupils all learn and play on the same 52-acre campus, where our sports facilities, music school, art department, technology building and drama studios are within walking distance.
We offer our pupils one of the widest extra-curricular programmes you will find anywhere, plus the opportunity to travel internationally during their time with us, and a broad range of learning experiences outside the classroom.
Digital technology supports and enhances learning, with every pupil encouraged to use their device where it adds real value to developing skills and critical thinking.
Our school has an enviable reputation for the breadth of opportunities pupils have to get active, with around 25 different sports available to both girls and boys. Participation, excellence, professionalism and equality are the four cornerstones of our physical education and sport department here at Watson's.
When it comes to music and drama, our pupils are given the opportunity to co-produce stunning shows, delivering memorable performances that live long beyond school days.
Most importantly, the wellbeing of our pupils matters to us more than anything else. There are various ways we support pupils to proactively manage their mental health, while a range of peer-led programmes has created a culture in which we can all play our part.
All this means that when the sun shines we celebrate the happy moments, and when it doesn't we're there to protect and support, just as our motto says: ex corde caritas - love from the heart. www.gwc.org.uk
