Principal Study Teacher of Piano

Principal Study Teacher of Piano

Part-Time, From September 2026

 INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

INTRODUCTION

Celebrated  throughout  the  world as a centre of musical excellence, The
Purcell School is the most vibrant, exciting and exhilarating place to work
or study.   We are a close-knit community dedicated to nurturing some of
the world’s most talented young musicians and we recognize the unique
privilege it is to work with these incredibly gifted students.

Our  students  are the liveliest, most committed and self-motivated young
people  you  could  hope to meet.   Every day, the School’s corridors echo
with the sound of extraordinary music as our students prepare for one of
the  150  concerts  we present every year, both here at School and in the
most prestigious venues in London.

It  is  a  working  environment  quite  unlike  anywhere  else!   We  want  our
students  to  be  challenged  and  inspired  by  every  aspect  of  their
experience  here,  and  we  support  and  encourage  staff  to  achieve  this.
Academic classes are small, behaviour is excellent and the opportunities
for innovative and creative teaching practice are limitless.

If you are committed to providing an outstanding student experience and
prepared  to  play  a  full  part  in  the  life  of  this  extraordinary  place,  The
Purcell  School  offers  you  the  opportunity  to  join  an  exceptional  team,
serving  truly  exceptional  students in a totally unique environment. I very
much hope you will consider making an application to join us.

Kind regards,

Paul Bambrough
Principal

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Principal Study Teacher of Piano

We are seeking a dynamic piano teacher who is passionate about contributing their
skills,  experience  and  energy.  You  will  join  the  School’s  keyboard  department,
teaching predominantly first study piano students who are likely to progress to top
conservatoires or universities in the UK or abroad.

You  should  have  the  ability to develop and maintain warm, respectful and valued
rapport  with  young  people,  whilst  understanding  the professional boundaries that
must  exist  between  staff  and  students.  You  should  act  as  a  positive  role  model,
demonstrating  self-motivation  and  mature  interpersonal  skills.  You  will  be  an
accomplished  performer  and  have  experience  of  working  with  musically  gifted
young  people  in  an  academic  or  musical  environment.  The  role  will  involve
teaching one-to-one.

You  will  play  an  active  role  in  promoting  the  School  in  support  of  a  strategy  to
recruit  students.  You  will  have  effective  communication  skills  (verbal and written)
and the ability to deal with students, parents and staff across the whole school. You
will  be  expected  to  maintain  high  personal  and  professional  standards, including
recognition of the confidentiality issues impacting upon work in a school. You must
be  able  to  demonstrate  an  awareness  of  safeguarding  and  child  protection
legislation and issues and will be expected to uphold a full commitment to the best
safeguarding practice.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a part-time contract from September 2026 with hours to be agreed with the
Head of Keyboard and the Director of Music.

The hourly rate is £45.31.

Children  of  staff  are  not  eligible to be educated at the School except through the
normal admissions and audition process.

All posts are subject to regular appraisal.

Lunch can be taken free of charge at the School during term-time.

HOW TO APPLY

If  you  wish  to  apply,  please  complete the School’s Application Form (available on our website) and send it with a
supporting Personal Statement. Please do not send a separate Curriculum Vitae. The closing date for applications is
Sunday 19th April 2026.

Personal  statements  should  outline  your  experience,  subject  knowledge  and  evidence  of  your  achievements.  The
Personal  Statement  is  your  opportunity  to  tell  us  how  your  skills  and  experience  can  contribute  to  an  outstanding
student experience.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the School where you will have the opportunity to meet key staff and to lead a
short lesson. Candidates will be required to bring evidence of identity and right to work in the UK to the interview.

We will review applications as they are received. Please note that the School reserves the right to appoint a candidate
or withdraw the post before the closing date for applications.

Applications  should  be  made
recruitment@purcell-school.org

to

the  Director  of  Music,  Paul  Hoskins  and  sent  by  email  to:

 JOB SPECIFICATION

The Purcell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and
expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

JOB TITLE: Principal Study Teacher of Piano

All members of staff are ultimately answerable to the Principal.
Your line manager will be the Head of Keyboard.
All instrumental teaching staff report to the Director of Music.

This job specification sets out the principal duties of the post at the time of drafting. Specific responsibilities are as
follows:

Responsibilities include:

●  Through your own experience and teaching, give students insight into the skills necessary to maintain a career as

a successful musician.

●  Develop knowledge of materials and repertoire for students at different stages of their musical development.
●  Plan individual lessons and appropriate repertoire for the students you teach.
●  Progress  your  own  professional  development  by  gaining  further  teaching  or  performance  qualifications  and

continuing your own performance activity.

●  Liaise with the School Timetabler, in advance, to agree teaching dates and availability.
●  Teach individual and/or group lessons, including chamber music coaching and taking faculty class, incorporating
elements  of  general  musicianship  such  as  ear  training  and  theory,  as  well  as  instrumental  technique,
interpretation and contextual material.

●  Prepare students for performances, examinations, auditions and festivals.
●  Coordinate with the Head of Keyboard.
●  Keep a regular and accurate register of students’ attendance and absence. This register is to be submitted to the

Head of Keyboard each term.

●  Support  performance  opportunities  for  your  students  by  engaging  with the various auditions, concerts, recitals,

competitions and events in the School.

●  Communicate with parents and students via the School’s report system and communicate with all Purcell School

colleagues via Purcell School email addresses.

●  Develop relationships with schools, local authority music services and others and promote and recommend gifted

and talented students to The Purcell School.

FOR ALL STAFF:

●  To promote the aims and values of the School.
●  To support and protect the interests of the students.
●  To support colleagues in their work.
●  To ensure the smooth running of the School and the well-being of the School community.
●  To  act  in  accordance  with  the  current  legal  requirements,  school  policies and guidance on the safeguarding of

children and young people.

●  To undertake such administrative and supervisory duties as may be required.
●  To follow the procedures and policies set out in the Staff Handbook.
●  To promote equality by actively protecting staff and students from discrimination.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience and Knowledge:

At least five years’ experience as a professional pianist at a high level with wide experience of teaching your instrument
at minimum junior conservatoire level or equivalent

Exemplary knowledge and understanding of the concepts and skills essential for successful students

Ability and Skills:

The ability to use an imaginative range of strategies to engage and motivate gifted young musicians

The ability to engage with students and develop positive and meaningful relationships

The ability to establish a safe and purposeful working atmosphere in which students feel secure and confident in lessons

Excellent communication, planning and organisation

The ability to take initiative and solve problems

Personal Attributes:

The ability to inspire students of all levels and abilities

Enthusiasm, energy, imagination and a sense of humour

Willingness to play a full part in the life of the School

Commitment to student success

Personal warmth and the ability to connect with students in a meaningful way

The ability to work as a positive member of a team