Music Teacher: Guitar

Are you a talented and creative musician who wants to share their passion for playing an instrument and making music with children and young people across Surrey? Come and work for Surrey Arts, Surrey's leading provider of youth music lessons, ensembles, and instrument hire.

We currently have a vacancy for a permanent, salaried peripatetic guitar teacher, teaching individual, group and whole classes (including ukulele whole class) and working both during school hours and after school hours on 1 or 2 weekdays and / or Saturday morning. If you are willing to offer a second instrument, or the ability to teach music technology, please do indicate this on your application.

Our Offer to You

• Annual salary paid in 12 monthly instalments meaning pay is received during the school holidays.
• Able to join the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, whereby Surrey County Council contribute 28.68% of your salary into your pension.
• Comprehensive sick pay: 3 months full pay; 3 months half pay in a rolling 12-month period.
• Professional development through specialised training in diverse teaching methodologies, instrument-specific masterclasses, and pedagogical workshops.
• Opportunity to contribute to Surrey Arts’ youth music programs and participate in events.
• Potential to develop specialised teaching areas such as early years music education, contemporary music, or inclusive music-making for students with additional needs.
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing.
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year.
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave.
• 2 paid volunteering days per year.
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources.
• Savings on a range of retailers, including supermarkets, high street shops, utilities, travel, transport, health and wellbeing.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for guitar teachers to join our talented team of experienced and committed teaching staff. Across 33 weeks of the academic year, you will deliver high quality and inspiring music education to students at various schools and venues around the county.

You will join a team dedicated to “changing lives through world class arts”. Surrey Arts is an ambitious and forward-thinking organisation that places young people at the centre of our work. We are committed to developing Surrey Arts as a genuinely inclusive organisation, and one that meets the needs of the whole diverse community of Surrey.

The advertised salary is based on delivering one-to-one and small group music tuition. If you are able to offer a range of instruments, there would also be the opportunity to deliver whole class teaching or be an ensemble conductor or assistant conductor (subject to a post being available). These activities attract a higher hourly rate of pay, and the annual salary will be increased in accordance with Surrey Arts Teacher Pay Scales.

The hours advertised may be subject to change due to small fluctuations in demand. After the first four months of employment, the annual salary will be adjusted accordingly to reflect actual hours worked.

Teaching takes place during the school day, after school and at the weekend, at various schools and music centres in Surrey. You will therefore need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role.

An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s Barred List checks will be required for this role.

This role is subject to an online / social media check as part of our safer recruitment processes, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) 

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation – Surrey County Council 

Our Commitment 

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

How to Apply

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Recognised music diploma/degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Passionate about the importance of music with a genuine desire to help all students express themselves musically.
• Ability to teach a range of students, adapting teaching style and genre of music to deliver engaging lessons that offer challenge and independence appropriate to age and ability.
• Knowledge of and willingness to learn music exam specifications and how to prepare students for exams (as appropriate).
• ICT literate: ability to use email and web-based platforms.
• Understanding of safeguarding and commitment to ensuring the welfare of students.
• Commitment to continuing professional development and strong interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues.
• A flexible approach to working due to changes in teaching schedules and ability to travel around the county.

As part of your application for this role you will be required to provide your full work history and confirm any qualifications you hold.

Application Questions 

To apply, alongside your CV, you will be asked to answer the following questions:

1. How does your knowledge, skills and experience demonstrate that you are a competent/proficient musician?
2. Please describe your approach to planning and delivering paired and small group music lessons.
3. How do you/would you ensure that all children and young people you work with are engaged and reach their full potential?
4. Please give a specific anonymised example of how you have built positive relationships with students.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion about the role, please email your contact details to sastaff@surreycc.gov.uk so a member of the team can get in touch with you.

This Job listing is provided by an external organisation. Music Mark does not endorse the content and does not accept any liability for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the material provided. Music Mark is not responsible for ascertaining the suitability or legal status of a prospective employer.

About the Provider

Surrey Arts

Our aim is to increase people's interest and participation in the arts throughout Surrey.