Music Teacher – Singing from April 2023

The Perse Prep is looking to appoint a high calibre singing teacher on a self-employed peripatetic basis from April 2023. The role will involve teaching across the 7-11 age range of the Prep School.

The School

The Perse School, which was founded in 1615, is a charitable company and one of the country’s leading independent day schools. The Perse School’s vision is to be an exceptional school of international standing. The values that define the School community are: intellectual curiosity and scholarship, endeavour, breadth and balance, and valuing one another.

The Perse School Foundation is fully co-educational, educating boys and girls from 3-18 on three sites: The Pelican Nursery and Pre-Prep (ages 3-7) in Glebe Road; the Prep (ages 7-11) in Trumpington Road; and the Upper (ages 11-18) in Hills Road.  Children thus progress through three different schools, but have all the benefits of being part of one larger institution with an integrated curriculum and pastoral care system.

There are approx. 280 pupils in the Prep. More details about the School can be found on our website at www.perse.co.uk.

ISI Inspection Report

The Pelican, Prep and Upper were inspected during the spring of 2019.  The inspection report can be viewed at http://www.perse.co.uk/about-us/our-approach/inspection-reports/.  

The Department

The Music Department has been recently refurbished and has a suite of five individual teaching rooms, and two large classrooms. A Director of Music leads a flourishing department with fifteen visiting music teachers involved in one-to-one lessons. Each week over 260 individual music lessons are taught and over 25 ensemble groups are coached. There are many concerts and performing opportunities each year, ranging from assemblies, Class Concerts, Soloist Concerts, the Michaelmas Concert, the Lent Concert and the whole school Summer Concerts at the Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre.

The Role

Visiting Music Teachers are engaged on a self‐employed basis by the School and will contract with, and be paid directly by, the parents for instrumental tuition.

The successful candidate would likely take over the existing teaching of twenty-two pupils spread over a day and a half. There is the potential for this number to grow. Depending on room availability, we have some flexibility over which days of the week this might entail. We are also keen on the successful candidate running a Year 3 and 4 Choir, a Year 5 and 6 Choir, as well as attending relevant concerts.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Visiting Music Teachers are expected to read and comply with relevant School policies such as the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy and the Code of Conduct as well as their Service Agreement. Visiting Music Teachers are required to attend regular training sessions on Safeguarding, at least every 3 years; either by attending a session at the Perse or by providing evidence of completing relevant training elsewhere.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will be both an excellent musician and a first-rate teacher.

  The following skills and abilities are required:

• passionate about teaching and comfortable at working in a range of instrumental styles and standards;
• able to enthuse and inspire young musicians across the ability range;
• a technically proficient performer themselves and able to command respect from the highest musical achievers;
• reliable and trustworthy;
• ability to use initiative;
• efficient administrative skills and the ability to manage commitments and deadlines;
• empathy for pupils, parents, staff and the community;
• works collaboratively and supportively with colleagues within school and in other organisations;
• respects and values the different experiences, ideas and backgrounds others can bring to work and to teams.

If you have any specific questions about the role, please do not hesitate to contact the Director of Music, Paul Harris, pharris@perse.co.uk.

Safer Recruitment

The Perse School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including references from current / previous employers and a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the enhanced level. Interviews will be conducted in person and will explore candidates’ suitability to work with children.

Recruitment Policy

The School’s Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure is available for your information on the School website.

Applications

Applications are to be made using the School’s online application form, available from the School website https://www.perse.co.uk/work-with-us/ (via the 'Apply' button above)

Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to the HR Department, recruitment@perse.co.uk.

The closing date for applications is noon on Tuesday 11^th April 2023 but applications will be considered as they are received. The Perse School reserves the right to make an appointment before the closing date.

Interviews

We aim for interviews to take place at the start of the week beginning 17^th April, during which candidates will be required to teach one 10 minute 1:1 lesson and one 10 minute small choir session, meet the Prep Head and Director of Music for an interview, and have a short tour of the School.

J Piper/HR, March 2023