Head of Keyboard / Visiting Music Teacher (Piano)

Job Description
Head of Keyboard / Visiting Music Teacher (Piano)

Required: September 2026
Reporting to: Director of Music
Closing date: Wednesday 8th April, 12:00 noon
Interview date: Thursday 16th / Friday 17th April

The Role

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding pianist to join our thriving Music Department as Head of Keyboard / Visiting
Music Teacher (Piano).

The Head of Keyboard role carries meaningful responsibility within the Music Department, working closely with the
Directors of Music (Senior and Junior) and Assistant Director of Music to support and develop keyboard provision
across  the  whole  School.  This  includes  serving  as  School  Accompanist,  supporting  pupils  as  they  prepare  for
examinations, concerts and other musical events. The Head of Keyboard will also play an active role in the co-curricular
life  of  the  department,  helping  to  broaden  musical  opportunities  for  pupils  across  the  Junior  and  Senior  Schools.
Flexibility and a collaborative approach are essential. In addition, the Head of Keyboard contributes to partnership
work with local schools and music groups, strengthening King’s musical links with the wider community and supporting
access to musical education.

The role is supplemented by that of a Visiting Music Teacher (Piano). You will arrange and deliver individual lessons to
pupils of a wide range of abilities across both the Junior and Senior Schools, inspiring pupils to develop both technical
proficiency  and  a  genuine  enjoyment  of  music-making.  While  many  pupils  are  prepared  for  ABRSM  or  Trinity
examinations, the School places equal importance on fostering a lifelong enthusiasm for music. There are currently six
full days of piano tuition, shared between three VMTs.

These roles are distinct: the Head of Keyboard is an employed position, appointed and paid by the School in accordance
with its salary scales, while the VMT position is undertaken on a self-employed basis.

The School

The King’s School is one of the dozen oldest schools in the country and has a proud heritage dating back to at least
1087, with a re-foundation in 1541. King’s is the Cathedral School in the city of Gloucester, and to this day maintains
strong links with Gloucester Cathedral through the provision of education for its choristers; the School is a member
of the Choir Schools’ Association and our 32 choristers are integral to the life of the School. The Cathedral itself also
serves as the School Chapel and provides an ideal location for high quality orchestral and choral music. King’s is held
in high regard amidst a highly competitive field of excellent local grammar, state and independent schools; our academic,
co-curricular and pastoral attainment is second to none. Local media brand SoGlos has awarded King’s the title of
‘Independent School of the Year’ or ‘Highly Commended’ in every one of the last five years – a feat unmatched by any
other  local  independent  school  –  most  recently  winning  the  title  in  May  2025. Despite  the  multiple  national-scale
challenges of recent years, King’s has seen its pupil roll growing steadily and parental satisfaction scoring very highly
indeed. With careful investment in the campus and facilities, as well as a continuous focus on improving teaching and
learning and developing our outstanding pastoral care, King’s is now seen as a dynamic, forward-thinking and impressive
place to study and to work.

The Department

Nestled in the shadows of the magnificent Gloucester Cathedral, The King’s School Music Department is housed in
its  own  self-contained  Music  School  building,  comprising  of  a  variety  of  rooms  suitable  for  class  teaching.  The
Department consists of a full-time Director of Music, the Assistant Director of Music, and a large team of VMTs, each
bringing their own specialism; the Department is ably supported by the Performing Arts Administrator, ensuring the
provision of musical education at King’s is high-quality, wide-ranging and bursting with co-curricular opportunity.

We are in the privileged position of being able to teach some outstandingly talented musicians; with four choral groups,
numerous instrumental ensembles and a huge range of instrumental tuition, pupils have the very best opportunities to
discover and to develop their musical talents.

Main Duties

As Head of Keyboard, you will undertake the following duties:

• Organising piano events that inspire a love of performance in pupils, and develop their skills in front of an

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audience;
Leading regular partnership activities with local children, bringing a sense of fun, opportunity and a love of
music;

• Creating opportunities for pupils to experience Chamber Music;
• Accompanying pupils in concerts, recitals and events, including the Singers’ Concert, The Festive Prom, Lent
Term Concert, Serenade of Final Cadences, ‘Morning Chapel’ performances in the Cathedral if required, and
other events as necessary;

• Assisting in the delivery of theory tuition;
• Ordering and developing the stock of suitable music (some skill in arranging/writing parts is an advantage);
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Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible and with
whom you come into contact;

• Any other duties that may reasonably be assigned by the Director of Music or the Headmaster.

These will be supplemented by the duties of a self-employed VMT (Piano):

Planning, preparing and teaching lessons in accordance with Examination Board (ABRSM/Trinity) specifications;
Ensuring that all pupils are working at a level and pace appropriate to their ability;
Preparing pupils for examinations, concerts and GCSE / A-Level performances as necessary;
Liaising with parents regularly to review timetables and progress;

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• Organising own timetable to ensure pupils rotate;
• Keeping an accurate record of lessons delivered and attendance;
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• Writing reports at the appropriate times.

Escorting younger pupils to and from the Junior School and Music Department for their lessons;
Liaising with the Director of Music regarding progress and issues with any pupil in their charge;

Personal Profile

• An accomplished pianist with a degree related to Music and/or Diploma on the piano;
• An enthusiasm for working with children of all ages;

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Initiative, resourcefulness, and a relish for working as part of a creative team;
Excellent  written  and  oral  communication,  numerical  and  interpersonal  skills,  able  to  build  appropriate
relationships with staff, pupils and parents;
Excellent  organisational  skills,  able  to  work  under  pressure,  plan  and  prioritise  own  workload  and  remain
professional at all times;

• Ability to deliver high standards, accuracy and attention to detail, meeting all deadlines;
• Reliability, punctuality and a readiness to be flexible;
• Willingness to undertake further professional development.

Hours of Work & Salary

The Head of Keyboard will be required to work flexibly, with mutually agreeable hours spread over the course of the
week up to a maximum of 0.2 FTE (equivalent to approx. one day per week). These hours will be paid according to
the School’s salary scale – details of which can be discussed at interview – under a part-time teaching contract.

The Head of Keyboard hours will be supplemented by VMT tuition; it is anticipated that these hours will be scheduled
over approx. 2-3 days per week, on a self-employed basis.

Benefits

The staff benefits listed below apply to the employed Head of Keyboard role:

• A contributory pension through Aviva APTIS;
• Generous fee remission for children at King’s;
•
Before / After School Care for children at King’s;
• Access to a Doctor for advice and short consultations;
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• Cycle to Work scheme;
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Staff Wellbeing Programme;
Staff Wellbeing Day (additional leave);

Lunches;
Parking.

Applications

Candidates  should  apply  through  TES  or  by  sending  a  completed  School  Application  Form  and  Covering  Letter,
addressed to the Headmaster, to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk. A CV is not required.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 8th April at 12:00 noon, with interviews taking place on Thursday
16th / Friday 17th April.

further

For
recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk.

information,  please  contact  Mr  Harry  Fuller  on  01452  337337  or  via  email

to

The  King’s  School,  Gloucester  is  committed  to  safeguarding  and  promoting  the  welfare  of  children  and  expects  all  staff  and  volunteers  to  share  this
commitment.  All  offers  of  employment  are  subject  to  an  Enhanced  DBS  check  (including  Children’s  Barred  List),  satisfactory  references  from  previous
employers and eligibility to work in the UK. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including a prohibition
from  teaching  check  where  appropriate  (which  may  include  for  some  non-teaching  positions)  and,  in  line  with  KCSIE,  an  online  search  for  shortlisted
candidates only – this will consist of a Google and social media search. The search is looking for anything that calls into question the candidate’s suitability
to work with children, or could cause harm to the reputation of The King’s School, Gloucester. Any information discovered will be shared with members of
the interviewing panel prior to interview. Interviews will be conducted in person, and they will explore candidates’ suitability to work with children. This post
is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013, 2020 and 2023), which would otherwise  mean that certain
convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and would not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they were disclosed, employers could not take
them  into  account.  Guidance  about  whether  a  conviction  or  caution  should  be  disclosed  can  be  found  on  the  Ministry  of  Justice  website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974.