The Purcell School for young musicians
Teacher of Composition (Maternity Cover)
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
Teacher of Composition
Now in its thirty-first year, The Purcell School’s Composition and Contemporary Music Department has profoundly shaped generations of young musicians: not only in what they write, but in how they listen, collaborate and think. With internationally active composers among the teaching staff, students produce a remarkable volume of new work each year and composition is woven deeply into the life of the School and its wider musical culture.
The alumni list speaks for itself, including Oliver Knussen, Joseph Phibbs, Mica Levi, Alissa Firsova, Jacob Collier, Alexis Ffrench and Drew Masters, while recent graduates are already making waves as emerging composers. In March, the School marked this continuing story with a dedicated concert at Wigmore Hall, celebrating the breadth, diversity and distinction of composers connected with Purcell over the decades. That strength continues to be recognised in high-profile competitions: in 2026, current Purcell students won in every category of the BBC Proms Young Composer competition, with their works scheduled for performance at the 2026 BBC Proms.
We are seeking a dynamic and inspiring composition teacher (maternity cover) who will bring exceptional skill, experience and energy to this distinctive area of the School. The successful candidate will join the School’s Composition Department, teaching primarily first and second-study composition and production students, many of whom are expected to progress to leading conservatoires and universities in the UK and internationally.
You will be a recognised artist, with experience of working with musically gifted young people in an academic or musical setting. You should be able to develop and maintain warm, respectful, and valued relationships with young people, while demonstrating a clear understanding of the professional boundaries that must exist between staff and students. You will act as a positive role model, showing self-motivation, integrity and mature interpersonal skills.
You will also play an active role in promoting the School and supporting its student recruitment strategy. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work effectively with students, parents and staff across the whole School community. You will be expected to maintain the highest personal and professional standards, including a clear understanding of the confidentiality required when working in a school environment. You must be able to demonstrate awareness of safeguarding and child protection legislation, policy and practice and will be expected to uphold an unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of safeguarding.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This is a part-time maternity cover contract from September 2026 with hours to be agreed with the Head of Composition and Contemporary Music 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 31st May 2026 with interviews to be held in early June.
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 to the Director of Music, Paul Hoskins and sent by email to: recruitment@purcell-school.org
CHILD PROTECTION
The Purcell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All applicants should read the School's Child Protection policy, which is available on our website, and are required to declare any criminal convictions or cautions, or disciplinary proceedings related to young people. Applicants must be wiling to undergo child prolection screening appropriate to the post, including records checked and processed through the Disclosure and Baming Service (DBS).
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Purcell School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from appropriately qualified people regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin,colour, nationality，religion,disabityor age. Candidates wil be assessed against relevant criteria only (i.e. skils， qualifications, abilities, experience) in selection and recruitment.
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 Composition
All members of staff are ultimately answerable to the Principal.
Your line manager will be the Head of Composition.
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 professional experience and teaching, provide students with insight into the skills required to sustain a successful career as a musician and artist.
● Support students in developing an individual compositional voice, informed by broad listening, critical thinking, and creative curiosity.
● Support students in the development of music software skills, including the effective use of DAWs, notation software, and other relevant technologies.
● Support students in hearing their work realised in performance by helping them prepare scores, parts, demos, and other materials to a professional standard.
● Foster a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and reflection in which students are encouraged to take creative risks and respond thoughtfully to feedback.
● Plan individual lessons and set appropriate work/repertoire for the students you teach.
● Progress your own professional development, and contribute actively to the Department.
● Liaise with the School Timetabler, in advance, to agree teaching dates and availability.
● Teach individual and/or group lessons, including seminars and faculty classes where appropriate, incorporating elements of general musicianship, theory, technique and interpretation.
● Prepare students for competitions, performances, examinations, auditions, and festivals.
● Keep a regular and accurate register of students’ attendance and absence. This register is to be submitted to the Head of Composition 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.
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: |
| A first degree in Music (essential) and a higher degree in Music or a closely related subject (desirable) |
| Experience as a professional composer at the highest level with experience of teaching (essential) |
| Experience with electroacoustic/electronic music and/or production (highly desirable) |
| Evidence of continued professional development (essential) |
| Excellent IT skill and n understanding of how CT can facitate utstanding teaching and learning and experience usingnotation and DAW software in professional and/or educational contexts (essential) |
| Exemplary subject knowledge and understanding of the concepts and skils essential for successful students (essential) |
| 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 abilit to establish a safe and purposeful working atmosphere in which students feel secure and confident in lessons |
| Excellent communication, planning and organisation |
| The abity to promote an interest in composition within the context of an international specialist music school |
| 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 |