Teacher of Music (Junior School)

We are looking for an enthusiastic and able specialist music teacher, who will be fully committed to the work of the Junior School and will contribute positively to its development.  The successful candidate’s timetable will involve teaching Music across the age range and rehearsing a variety of ensembles. We welcome applications from both newly qualified and experienced teachers. If an NQT were appointed to the post, structured support and guidance (meeting statutory requirements) would be provided to ensure progression towards the successful completion of his/her training or induction period. 

All pupils at Colfe’s Junior School enjoy two timetabled music lessons per week and weekly singing assemblies. The Music team also plays a leading role in junior productions- all year groups participate in at least one major production a year- and the successful candidate will play an important role in these. In recent years, in response to COVID-19, the school has developed new ways of sharing performances with parents in response to social distancing requirements. An unusually high number of children choose to receive instrumental music lessons each week; many choose to participate in the popular Teatime concert performances the school organises for talented performers.  

The Junior School has two dedicated Music classrooms (one largely used for KS1 and one for KS2) and two large spaces which are used for assemblies and performances. The successful candidate will join an existing specialist Teacher of Music who leads current provision. Junior Music specialists also works closely with the Music department at Colfe’s Senior School, which is led by a Director of Music, a full-time Music Teacher, a Music Technician, a part-time Arts Administrator and more than twenty Peripatetic Teachers. Two members of the school’s current Senior Management team are Music specialists and also teach in the department. The Music Department is housed in its own dedicated suite of very well-appointed rooms, which include two teaching rooms, music technology room, six practice rooms, office, kitchen and recital hall. Junior musicians often use these facilities for performances.  

We are mindful that our pupils have not been able to enjoy the musical opportunities we would normally offer in recent years because of COVID-19. The successful candidate will teach a reduced timetable in their first two terms in post to allow them to devote the time and energy required to play a decisive role in relaunching and reinvigorating our exciting academic and co-curricular musical programme, ensuring that it is one of the very best of its kind in the area. 

Our ideal candidate will: 

• Be able to play a significant role in developing our academic and co-curricular musical provision, with demonstrable expertise in teaching Music to classes in the Junior age range 
• Demonstrate an excellent understanding of how children learn and develop musically in the Junior age range (3-11) and the best ways to help them progress 
• Plan and deliver exciting classroom music lessons, which enable children to experience a diverse range of musical genres and cultures, develop practical expertise across a range of instruments, and make the most of the school’s well-resourced musical facilities. In addition to their musical ability, we are seeking to appoint someone who is an excellent classroom practitioner with the ability to translate rigorous academic standards into practical and successful classroom outcomes.   
• Be able to develop singing and co-curricular practical music-making throughout the Junior school; specific expertise in developing singing and/or piano skills would be an advantage   

The school can offer a competitive salary commensurate with the expertise of the successful candidate. We are open to discussing a part-time role, allowing the successful candidate to incorporate other personal or professional commitments, or a full-time post, which may involve teaching some other Junior subjects.  

Teachers appointed to posts are expected to maintain the highest professional standards and to contribute significantly to the extra-curricular life of the school.  In return, those who join Colfe’s can expect to become part of a caring, purposeful and committed community. 

Application procedure  

The recruitment process will require all applicants to complete an application form, accompanied by a letter of application, current CV and details of two referees, who will be contacted prior to interview, in accordance with the School’s Safer Recruitment procedures. There will be an interview and lesson observation for short-listed candidates. 

The application should be submitted either by post, marked private and confidential, to: 

Mrs A Ross, Human Resources, Colfe’s School, Horn Park Lane, London SE12 8AW 

 Or electronically to recruitment@colfes.com  

 Applications should be sent as soon as possible and by Noon, 24 September at the latest. Colfe’s reserves the right to appoint to this post before the closing date if necessary.