Teacher of Music (Junior and Senior School)

The School

Magdalen College School, founded in 1480 by William of Waynflete, is one of the country’s leading independent day schools. It is situated in an enviable location at the heart of Oxford beside the River Cherwell. Shaped by its Christian Collegiate foundation and links with the university city of which it is part, it aims to inspire in all its pupils a desire to learn, flourish and to serve.

The Role

The school is seeking to appoint a bright, capable musician to join its Music department, teaching across the Junior School (Year 3 to Year 6) and Senior School (mostly Year 7 and Year 8) from January 2024 in a permanent, full-time capacity. The standard of music in the Junior School and Senior School is extremely high and this post is a wonderful opportunity for the successful candidate to work with some very talented musicians.

The main duties of the post will include, but not be restricted to, the following:

• The successful candidate will be particularly closely involved in Junior School productions, such as the Carol Service, the Grand Concert, the House Music Competition, Drama productions and the Junior School Arts Festival production, as well as regular informal concerts.
• There will also be the opportunity to work with Senior School choirs, orchestras and ensembles.
• It is also expected that the successful candidate will become involved more widely in Junior and Senior School life and there is scope for becoming a Form Tutor.
• To be involved with the extra-curricular music programme throughout the whole school (Year 3 to Year 13)
• To further develop partnership projects with local schools

The Candidate

The successful candidate will:

• Be a well-qualified graduate of Music or a related discipline;
• Show clear enthusiasm for the subject;
• Plan and teach lessons in an engaging manner in a highly successful Music department across year groups from Year 3 to Year 8 (and potentially to older year groups as well);
• Support the progress of all pupils studying Music by taking a role in departmental support and enrichment sessions;
• Take a full role in ensembles and choirs, particularly in the Junior School
• Set clear expectations for pupil behaviour within an encouraging classroom environment;
• Take a keen interest in the welfare of pupils and act as the pastoral tutor to a houseroom (Senior School) or form (Junior School);
• Show clear commitment to safeguarding children;
• Be willing to contribute fully to other areas of school life, such as games, drama, CCF or other activities;
• Have excellent written and spoken communication skills;
• Have sound IT skills;
• Have the ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a wider team;
• Display a high level of attention to detail;
• Work hard to support pupil progress;
• Be willing to take part in continuing professional development;
• Respond positively to feedback.

The Teacher of Music will report to the Director of Music, and ultimately to the Master via the Deputy Head (Education Development).

Waynflete Teaching Certificate

The School aims to offer teaching staff joining the school without a teaching qualification (UQTs) the opportunity to develop their teaching craft and reflect on their professional practice though a structured programme of training and support. For such colleagues, the school offers the Waynflete Teaching Certificate, which may ultimately lead to Qualified Teacher Status through the Assessment Only route offered by the University of Reading.

Application Process

The school’s Teacher and Support Staff application form and full CV, should be e-mailed to Miss Aimee Edwards, HR Administrator, (recruitment@mcsoxford.org) no later than noon on Thursday 15th June, at midday; any applicants who submit just a CV will be automatically rejected. 

We anticipate holding interviews on Wednesday 21st June. We will be in contact with shortlisted candidates by telephone. Please be aware that all shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete a “Self-Disclosure” form before attending their interview which will include an observed lesson with some pupils.d. Please click "apply now" to download the application form.

Remuneration and other benefits

MCS currently has its own salary scale, and salaries are substantially more generous than those in the maintained sector; there is also a relocation allowance on a sliding scale, by agreement with the Master and Bursar, and dependent on current location. The school also operates a cycle to work scheme, and travel loans are available. The school subscribes to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, in which all teaching staff are auto enrolled – there is, of course, an opt out, should this be preferred.

There is a wide range of benefits on offer to staff, including a free lunch during term time, free private health insurance and complimentary use of school sports facilities. Head to mcsoxford.org/vacancies to find out more.

Professional Development

The school places a significant emphasis on the professional development of all staff.  A half termly CPD & Teaching Newsletter is distributed by email, which aims to highlight educational research and practical ideas, to share ideas from courses and conferences attended, to offer guidance on opportunities for CPD, and to highlight the work of colleagues in the area of teaching and learning. All colleagues are encouraged to attend at least one external CPD course each year, and also to visit another school, place of work or university, where appropriate. The Teaching & Learning Group meets before school twice per half term. Its purpose is to consider developments in educational research, to facilitate discussion of teaching and learning, to offer a forum for the sharing of good teaching practice, and to support colleagues in experimenting with new teaching techniques. There is also a programme of Learning Lunches each term for colleagues to share good practice. Colleagues who have been teaching for more than seven years (including a minimum of three years’ service at MCS) may make an application for study leave for the second half of the Trinity term.

Safeguarding Policy

Magdalen College School is committed to the safeguarding of pupils, and any offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure, the receipt of satisfactory references, the school’s pre-employment medical questionnaire, plus sight of relevant original ID documentation and degree certificate(s). This role will be in regulated activity and will require a children’s barred list check as well as an enhanced DBS check. The enhanced DBS check is due to this role being exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.