Head of Music

About St James Preparatory School

St James Prep School is a co-educational IAPS day prep and nursery school for children aged 2-11.  An oasis of calm in bustling Kensington, the school is resourced with enviable outside space (including a forest school), a fully-resourced teaching kitchen, science labs and a new ICT Suite.

This is a permanent, part-time post (0.5 FTE), currently worked over three days. The specific working days are reviewed annually, in line with timetable changes every academic year.  The school's normal hours of work are 7.45am to 4.15pm, Monday to Friday with a lunch break.

The school prides itself on adding value both to the academic results and the character of its pupils. Lessons start and end with The Pause – a moment of stillness that supports focus and wellbeing. Love of learning is the preferred route to success so that pupils get great results for the right reasons, and without the stress of a hothouse atmosphere. Pupils can progress on to senior girls’ or boys’ schools – the entry is automatic. But the emphasis is on choice with a robust 11+ programme.

The Good Schools Guide describes the School as, ‘Unique. A relaxed, yet focused atmosphere unlike any we have encountered elsewhere.’

St James Prep was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in October 2019 and graded ‘excellent’ in all areas.

Overview

The Head of Music leads and manages the music in the Prep School. We are looking for an excellent musician and teacher to take on the leadership of our thriving Music Department. The role calls for a strategic vision. The role involves teaching, organising concerts and choir performances, and preparing timetables for peripatetic music teachers. The successful candidate will have the ability and experience to organise the complex work of the department and to inspire all pupils in their musical endeavours.

About you

We are looking for an experienced and visionary teacher who will lead music in the school.

The successful candidate will teach weekly timetabled Music lessons and lead and manage music outside the classroom. Music is central to the curriculum and ethos of St James Prep and Nursery. There is the opportunity for the right person to develop the musical spirit of the school. The holder of the role will be responsible for managing all aspects of music in the school.

He or she will also have an important pastoral care role in the class and will be expected to communicate with parents and represent the caring ethos of the school. Attendance at staff meetings and other specified after-school events will form a part of the contractual hours of duty.

How to apply

St James Schools does not accept curriculum vitaes, so please submit the quick apply online application form or email a completed St James Schools application form to: recruitment@stjamesschools.co.uk

Closing date: Midday on 19 April 2021.

Interview date: w/c 29 March & 19 April 2021.

The school reserves the right to offer the post at any stage in the recruitment process.

St James Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including reference checks and an enhanced DBS check.