Music Teacher

The Manor Preparatory School, situated in the heart of Oxfordshire, is a renowned independent, co-educational, preparatory day school of around 380 pupils aged 2-11. The Manor has a wonderfully happy, creative atmosphere where each individual is challenged and cherished to reach their potential. Every child is encouraged to push themselves to new challenges, resulting in outstanding results academically, on the sports field and in creative and performing arts.

The Music Department at The Manor Preparatory School is a busy, dynamic department comprising a Director of Music and Music Teacher (both full-time) together with a part-time Music Department Administrator. There are also 13 visiting peripatetic staff who teach individual lessons to roughly 65% of Year 2-6 pupils in the school. Several peripatetic teachers run ensembles and all are closely involved in preparing pupils for extra-curricular events within the department.

Each child receives an hour of academic music per week. Pupils are introduced to different periods and genres of music and there is a strong emphasis on practical musicianship, especially singing. In Years 3-6 music theory underpins the topic-based learning and there is a focus on a particular instrument for one term each year; this is currently tuned percussion in Year 3, keyboards in Year 4, Samba bateria in Year 5 and ukuleles in Year 6. 

Music plays a central role in the life of the school through concerts, productions, services, music competitions and regular weekly events such as assemblies. Chapel Services take place once a term with the School Chaplain, and Chamber Choir sings the anthem. There is a weekly Hymn Practice for pupils in Year 3-6 and both whole-school and section assemblies where the pupils regularly have the chance to perform to their peers.

The children are encouraged in their love of Music in all its forms and are given numerous opportunities to explore this both individually and collectively throughout the year. Every child takes part in the annual Carol Service and pupils who belong to one or more ensembles or choirs also perform at the Manor Concert in the Spring Term. Each child who learns an individual instrumental lesson is encouraged to perform in a Tea Concert and there are also occasional Breakfast Concerts for pupils taking ABRSM and/or Trinity exams. 

The Department is very well-resourced with a purpose-built Music block including two large class teaching rooms, 5 peripatetic teaching rooms with upright pianos, a music store room and the Music Office. There are a large number of instruments available for hire, including 5 school harps.

The Department runs an extensive extra-curricular programme, including the following ensembles: 

Year 1&2 Singing Club

Middle School Choir

Upper School Choir

Chamber Choir

Training Orchestra

Orchestra

String Ensemble

Flute Choir

Clarinet Ensemble

Guitar Band

Recorder Club

Piano Beginners

Harp Ensemble

Theory Group

 Every child at The Manor is encouraged to explore their musical abilities and to take part in ensembles and choirs. We very much adopt the “music for all” policy where every child is given the opportunity to explore their musical abilities, whilst we also encourage the more able to make the most of their talents and contribute to the musical life of the school.

The position:

We are seeking to appoint a Music Teacher who is an enthusiastic and accomplished musician with a passion for teaching and inspiring children. The Music Teacher will share the teaching of Music throughout the school with the Director of Music, from Pre-Nursery to Year 6. They will also undertake to teach a certain number of peripatetic lessons in their specialist instrument per week to individual pupils, to be agreed with the Head. The post holder should be an excellent pianist and at ease accompanying a wide range of ensembles and soloists, including for ABRSM exams. They should also be innovative and eager to collaborate with the Director of Music in the continuing development of the full and varied life of the Music department.

Candidates are welcome to make an appointment to visit the school and meet the Director of Music prior to submitting an application. Appointments can be made by calling the Music Department directly on 01235 858483 or sending an email to Mrs Johnson, the Music Department Administrator at musicadmin@manorprep.org

For more information and to apply for this role, please download the ‘Application Pack –’Music Teacher ‘and ‘Application Form ‘which can be found below.

 https://www.manorprep.org/about-us/vacancies/  

Completed application forms must be received by Tuesday 11 January 2022.

Interviews will take place from w/c Monday 17 January 2022.

The Manor Preparatory School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer who welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Where a role involves engaging in regulated activity, it is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.