Junior School Teacher of Music

We are looking to appoint an exceptional Junior School Music Teacher to support the Junior School Head of Music and to deliver Music lessons to children from Nursery to Primary 6. The successful candidate will also be expected to lead and/or support choirs and instrumental groups. Therefore it is highly desirable for the successful candidate to be an excellent pianist/accompanist with strong vocal skills.

Applicants should be passionate about Music Education, have experience of working with Junior school-aged children and have excellent subject knowledge as well as being committed to ensuring success for all. Experience of teaching Nursery-aged children would also be desirable.

We welcome applications from well-qualified graduates with relevant teaching qualifications and GTCS registration.

Package Description

The school prides itself on its warm and welcoming community, inclusive of all staff. Our teaching staff work alongside the operational teams to ensure the smooth running of the school. We value the contribution ! of all team members.

Through involvement in the co-curricular programme all those who work with us can bring their passions to work. Developing our talent is important to us. Access to training and professional development is available and encouraged.

In addition to salary and teacher holidays, our reward package includes:

• Enrolment into generous DC pension
• Access to onsite gym
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Benefits Programme including discounts to a number of major retailers, holiday, electric car and cycle to work schemes, as well as health and well-being option
• Fee discount
• A three course lunch is provided during term time

Main Responsibilities

Successful applicants will be expected to:

• Take an active role in ensuring the Junior School Music Department continues to be an excellent, vibrant, inspiring and forward-thinking department.
• Support the Head of Junior School Music in planning, preparing and delivering concerts/shows, and lead and/or provide piano accompaniment for choirs, ensembles and public performances when required.
• Lead, conduct or assist with (wherever appropriate), the running of choral and instrumental groups, including extra-curricular groups before and after school and ensure children are fully prepared before performing.
• Assist with sourcing/creating/maintaining resources in the Music Department.
• Give regular, informative feedback to pupils and their parents on progress in written reports and at parents evenings
• Have excellent organisational skills
• Have consistently ! high expectations of pupils and self
• Have excellent communication and ICT skills
• Have a keen interest in development and sharing of effective teaching and learning strategies in Music.
• Have a commitment to developing and delivering the Music curriculum in a Junior School setting
• Be fully involved in the life of the School as a whole and commit to the co-curricular programme

Duties and responsibilities associated with all teachers at the Edinburgh Academy are:

• Plan, prepare and teach lessons to all assigned pupils according to their educational needs
• Assess, record and report on the progress of the pupils within the guidelines written in the Staff Handbook
• Engage with the wider school curriculum in a manner which is consistent with the ethos of the School
• Carry out such administrative and other routine tasks as are outlined in the Staff Handbook
• Demonstrate a commitment to both individual professional development and to the developing curriculum in the School
• Carry out any other duties and to assume any other responsibilities as the Headteacher or Rector shall from time-to-time reasonably request
• Play a full part in the co-curricular life of the School

Short-listed candidates will be asked to plan and teach a lesson, take part in a piano sight-reading/musicianship exercise, and lead and accompany a small choir group

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications/Experience (E=Essential D= Desirable)

• A Degree in Music or other professional Musical credentials - E
• Excellent teaching skills - E
• Experience of, or interest in teaching Music to primary school pupils - E
• Experience of teaching Music to Nursery-aged children -D
• Have strong keyboard and accompanying skills – E
• Have a good, confident singing voice and experience of leading singing sessions and choirs - E
• Experience of curriculum development and creation of inspiring resources - E

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Practical, conscientious and reliable - E
• Highly organised - E
• Excellent interpersonal skills - E
• Willingness to collaborate within a team- E
• Motivated with the ability to work under own initiative – E
• Excellent subject knowledge (eg. highly knowledgeable about a wide range of musical genres and works which can be used to demonstrate concepts) - E
• Confident and skilled at leading singing and instrumental sessions with large numbers of children and performing in front of a large audience - E
• Enjoy planning and preparing creative, relevant and inspiring Music lessons using engaging resources - E
• Ability to integrate technology into music instruction effectively – D
• Familiarity with music education software and tools - D
• Ability to foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment. The ability to form good relationships and connections with the pupils is one of the most important parts of the job. Patience and empathy are key attributes needed in the support for learning aspect of the role - E

About the school/organisation

The Edinburgh Academy is a fully co-educational school. The School consists of a Senior School, Junior School and a Nursery Department. The School is a member of HMC. The Edinburgh Academy moved to full co-education across the whole school in 2008. The Junior and Senior Schools are on separate sites, both of which have spacious grounds and sports facilities including extensive playing fields, an all-weather sports area, and a large Sports Hall and Centre.