Assistant Director of Music

The role

South Hampstead High School has an exciting opportunity for a skilled academic and practical musician to help lead one of the most outstanding music departments in the country.

As Assistant Director of Music, you will assist the Director of Music with the smooth running of the Music Department. In this key leadership role, you will help prepare schemes of work for Years 7-9, ensuring a coherent lower school academic music programme that caters to all abilities. At GCSE and A-Level, you will assist the Director of Music with performance and composition coursework, creating appropriate performance opportunities.

In addition to your departmental responsibilities, you will also deliver excellent music teaching across the school and will direct choral and/or instrumental ensembles as required. 

About you

We are looking for an experienced academic musician and teacher, who is capable of teaching at all levels, from mixed-ability groups in Year 7 to AS and A2 level classes. No particular instrumental speciality is required, though keyboard competence is desirable and the ability to direct ensembles will be essential. You must also be familiar with music technology software and be prepared to accompany overseas tours.

Music at South Hampstead High School

The department is housed in the modern, main school building and includes two dedicated class teaching rooms, a percussion room, and nine further practice/teaching rooms. The department also makes regular use of the school’s stunning Waterlow Hall, which houses the department’s Steinway Model D piano.

Much of the musical life of the school is dedicated to preparations for an extraordinarily busy schedule of concerts, with approximately twelve major events each year and a host of smaller-scale concerts involving three orchestras, two wind bands, five Jazz-based ensembles, five choirs and countless chamber ensembles.

About the School

Working at South Hampstead is stimulating, challenging and fun. Located in leafy Hampstead, with the buzz of central London’s cultural life close at hand, the School is very well served by public transport and there are excellent local amenities nearby.

The School is part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools. We offer a variety of benefits, such as: 

• Competitive salaries and pay progression 
• Access to extensive professional development opportunities 
• Training grants for qualifications 
• Generous pension schemes 
• Free life assurance benefit 
• Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans 
• A Cycle to Work scheme 
• Competitive terms and conditions of employment 
• A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools

For further details and to apply please click the apply button.

Closing date is Monday 27th January 2025 at 9am.

Interviews will take place the week commencing 3rd February 2025.

The school may also conduct online searches (including publicly available social media searches) as part of our recruitment processes. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and suitable candidates may be invited to interview before the published interview date. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the position or if an offer is made and accepted. 

We recommend that applications are submitted early to avoid disappointment.

The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and child protection screening will apply to this post.