Teacher of Academic Music and Musicianship

Teacher of Academic Music and Musicianship
(Commercial and Jazz Specialism)

 For September 2026 (Full-Time or 0.8)

 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

Teacher of Academic Music and Musicianship (Commercial and Jazz Specialism)

We are seeking to appoint an inspirational teacher capable of delivering the highest
standards of teaching and learning in a world-leading specialist music school.

In September 2022, The Purcell School was the first specialist music school in the UK to
open a commercial music department, which sits alongside the long-established and highly
successful jazz department. In another exciting and forward-looking expansion of our
provision, we have recently announced our intention to offer a new vocational pathway
(RSL Diploma in Creative Music Industry) for students in the sixth form. It is within this
context and to reflect the increasing need and demand for commercial and jazz classes in
our timetable, that we are now looking to appoint a music teacher with a specialism in
these areas. The successful candidate will contribute to the delivery of music history,
analysis, composition and general musicianship programmes, largely in relation to this
specialism.

The Academic Music Department offers a unique programme of study, which forms an
important part of every Purcell student’s specialist musical education. Analysis and aural
awareness are at the heart of everything we do and high-level training in these areas is a
core component of the School’s curriculum for every student. Purcell students achieve
exceptional grades in Music and nearly all go on to study the subject at either conservatoire
or university.

In Years 7 to 9, students study a series of topics, which form the basis of creative and analytical
projects, designed to expand their general musical knowledge and inform their practical
instrumental studies. In year 10, students follow the AQA GCSE music syllabus and in Year 11,
they prepare for Sixth Form study through an in-depth study of larger scale works. In the Sixth
Form, students work towards the OCR A Level in Music and have lessons in analysis, music
history, harmony and composition. Students who intend to apply to university to read Music are
prepared for entrance examinations and interviews. Each year, a number of students go on to
read Music at university, with recent school leavers taking up places at Oxford, Cambridge,
Harvard and SOAS.

At each stage of the School, we offer tailored pathways for students on classical performance,
composition, jazz and commercial music programmes as part of our extensive musicianship
provision. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will work closely with our first study
commercial and jazz musicians in this context, whilst also taking on a varied timetable of Key
Stage 3, GCSE Music, A Level Music and Diploma classes. Depending on expertise,
experience and qualifications, there may also be opportunities to contribute to the delivery of
performance classes and/or our music technology programmes.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a full time or 0.8 post to start on 1st September 2026.

The  salary  will  be  based  on  the  School’s  salary  scale,  according  to  the  successful  candidate’s  experience,  with  a
contributory pension scheme.

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

The post is subject to a probationary period. All posts are subject to regular appraisal.

All members of staff are expected to contribute fully to the School’s extra-curricular and/or boarding provision.

Lunch can be taken free of charge at 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 to the Principal as soon as possible. Please do not send a separate curriculum vitae as
these  will  not  be  accepted.    The  closing  date  for  applications  is  5pm  on  Wednesday  25th  February  2026.
Interviews on Thursday 5th March 2026.

Personal statements should outline your experience, subject knowledge and evidence your achievements. If you have a
specific  area  of  specialism  or  industry  experience,  please  demonstrate  how  this  enables  you  to  create  inspirational
lessons. The Personal Statement is your opportunity to tell us how your skills and experience, both within your subject
and beyond, 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.  Interviews  will  explore  subject  knowledge,  pastoral  experience,  and  the ability to relate appropriately to
students. Candidates will be required to produce evidence of identity and qualifications prior to the interview.

Applications should be made to the Principal, sent by email to recruitment@purcell-school.org or by letter to:

Recruitment, The Purcell School, Aldenham Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 2TS

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: TEACHER OF ACADEMIC MUSIC AND MUSICIANSHIP
All members of staff are ultimately answerable to the Principal.
Your line manager is the Head of Academic Music.

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

TEACHER OF ACADEMIC MUSIC AND MUSICIANSHIP

●  To teach music history, analysis, harmony, composition and general musicianship classes
●  To assess students’ work regularly and provide feedback in line with departmental policies
●  To supervise the completion of music coursework
●  To contribute to the marking and moderation of coursework for GCSE, A Level and vocational

programmes

●  To attend weekly music department and academic music department staff meetings
●  To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of developments in the music industry

FOR ALL TEACHING STAFF

●  To plan, implement and deliver an appropriate programme of learning
●  To participate in the School’s appraisal scheme
●  To support and implement the School’s behavioural policy
●  To monitor students’ attendance at lessons and to liaise with the Vice-Principal when difficulties arise
●  To assist in providing cover for absent colleagues
●  To supervise students during internal and external examinations. To supervise students during

a break on a duty rota
●  To attend assemblies
●  To attend relevant meetings by arrangement
●  To attend Parents’ Evenings
●  To participate in school inset meetings
●  To contribute to the School’s extra-curricular and/or boarding provision
●  To assist occasionally at whole school events

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
●  To comply with current Health and Safety regulations and best practice

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience and Knowledge:

A first degree in Music or closely related subject (essential)

Qualified Teacher Status (desirable)

Classroom teaching, including delivering aspects of GCSE Music and/or A Level Music programmes (essential)

Experience delivering and assessing RSL diploma courses, or another vocational qualification (desirable)

Experience leading group aural and/or musicianship classes (desirable)

Evidence of continued professional development (essential)

Good IT skills and an understanding of how ICT can facilitate outstanding teaching and learning and experience using
notation and DAW software in professional and/or educational contexts (essential)

Ability and Skills:

The ability to promote an interest in Academic Music within the context of an international specialist music school

The ability to develop students’ ability to use Musicianship effectively and confidently for practical communication

The ability to teach high-level and inspiring classes in music history and analysis in relation to the jazz and commercial
specialism

The ability to supervise and teach group classes in composition for both notated and DAW produced music

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

The ability to promote positive relationships in the classroom and beyond

Effective and systematic classroom management

Personal Attributes:

An ability to inspire students of all levels and abilities

Enthusiasm, energy and imagination

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

Commitment to growth mindset teaching methods that create student success

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

An ability to work as a positive member of a team