Visiting Music Teacher

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Visiting  Music  Teacher
Cello  Teacher

Ballard School

Ballard is an award-winning independent co-educational, day School for pupils from Nursery (2 years) to
GCSE (Year 11). Ballard has been recognised, once again, by the prestigious Independent School of the Year
Awards, by winning their Co-educational School of the Year Award 2024/25. This follows Ballard reaching
the finals for Sport in 2023 and Performing Arts in 2022. We have also reached the finals of the
Independent School Association’s Award for Fine Arts and Design and the MTI Award in Musical Theatre
Provision, for the Music and Drama Education Awards 2025. Situated on the edge of New Milton and close
to both the New Forest and the sea, set within a wonderful 34-acre site the school has around 440 pupils.
We are a family School which offers an all-round education within a nurturing and supportive environment.
We believe that children flourish and achieve if kept happy, fulfilled and stretched through a wide range of
activities including sport and the performing arts.

We pride ourselves on our forward-thinking curriculum, providing an aspirational, academic and holistic
education. Our staff inspire and guide our young people; challenging and supporting them in equal
measure. The school’s drive to deliver a first-class education, with a close eye on the future, is shaping our
ambitious investment and development plans.

Job Description

Overview

Ballard is seeking an inspiring Cello Teacher to join our award-winning, busy Music Department and be
committed to the education and development of pupils from Years 3 to 11.

Key Attributes/Experience:
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Inspire the Ballard pupils with a love for all genres of music; classical, contemporary/ popular genres
and jazz/improvisation.

•  Guide and support pupils learning through a rich balance of repertoire, technique, and musicianship

skills.

•  Work with a high level of instrumental expertise and be proficient in a broad range of teaching and

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learning approaches.
Teach individual cello lessons (30 minutes) to pupils from beginner to advanced, as required by the
Head of Music.
Prepare pupils for individual graded exams from exam boards including ABRSM and Trinity and select
exam boards with repertoire that compliments aspiring musicians’ interests and learning styles.
Prepare appropriate repertoire as directed by the Head of Music for the practical GCSE music
component and for our numerous concerts and live events.
Advise and encourage pupils to engage in co-curricular music ensembles.
Thoroughly prepare pupils for performances; solo, chamber music, band work etc.

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•  Maintain good order and discipline in lesson time whilst maintaining the highest standards of care and

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courtesy.
Be aware and considerate of individual pupil needs by reporting them to and liaising with the Head of
Music.

•  Organise timetables, using digital systems, that are suitable for the needs of the pupils and takes into

consideration other school commitments (support from the Head of Music as needed).
Plan and keep accurate records of lessons, progress, achievement, and attendance.
Keep in contact with parents and nurture positive relationships with good communication home about
pupil progress. Parents may request an annual report and/or visit a lesson.
Be self-reliant and committed to Ballard School and the Music Department.

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General Information:
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•  Our Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) are self-employed, and set their own hourly rate which currently is

You may be asked to take part in school musical events.

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between £41 and £48 p/h.
VMTs are responsible for invoicing the parents of the pupils they teach directly and pursuing unpaid
invoices. The only exception to this is (if requested), to pay an administration charge of £2 (Excl. VAT)
per invoice per child per term for the school to send out an invoice.
The charge payable for the use of the school facilities is £3 (Excl. VAT) per child per 10 x 30 minute
lessons. This charge is subject to annual review and VMTs will be given one term’s notice of any
increases, normally to take effect at the beginning of each academic year.

•  Hours may vary (currently 1 hour per week) depending on pupil numbers and some flexibility is

required as hours may change annually dependent upon pupil intake. It is expected that current hours
will increase over the coming months.
Candidates for this role must be skilled at using online platforms; Microsoft infrastructure is essential,
and a knowledge of SOCS would be useful, but training can be given.

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Supporting the school:
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To attend VMT meetings/training days and complete safeguarding training as required by the school.
To be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to health and safety, safeguarding
and child protection, child on child abuse, security, and confidentiality, reporting all concerns to the
appropriate DSL.
To have lessons observed by the Head of Music when required.
To always dress and act professionally according to the code of conduct.

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Applications

How to apply:
Applicants are asked to complete a Teaching Application Form, available on the school website (note some
sections of the form are not relevant to Visiting Music Teachers), along with their letter of application and
current CV, and send it, addressed to the Head of Music.
(recruitment@ballardschool.co.uk).

Application deadline:

9.00am on Monday 2nd February 2026

Interviews:

Start date:

w/c Monday, 9th February 2026

w/c 23rd February 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter)

The school retains the right to interview and appoint at any time during the application process.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the school for interviews and will also have the opportunity to see the
department, meet departmental staff, and demonstrate their teaching skills in the classroom.

Ballard School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and
expects all employees to share this commitment. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child
protection screening appropriate to the post, including digital screening and checks with past employers and
the Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced Disclosure).

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

The successful candidate will be required to complete and sign a medical form.

Ballard School is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the
community.
For further details and an application form, please visit: www.ballardschool.co.uk/vacancies