Visiting Music Teacher - Orchestral Percussion/Drumkit Teacher

We are looking for a percussionist/drumkit teacher to increase our drums provision and start an orchestral percussion programme.

This self-employed role will appeal to all passionate musicians who have a desire to inspire children and develop in them an appreciation and love of music.

About Holmewood House School

Holmewood House is a prestigious independent Prep School of 470 pupils aged 3-13 years, set amidst 32 acres of the most beautiful Kent countryside, just outside Tunbridge Wells. The School is a happy and supportive working environment, where we pride ourselves on the exceptional provision for our pupils and staff in all areas.

Holmewood House provides a broad, well-balanced curriculum with outstanding teachers in what is very much a family school where the positive relationships between the teachers and children allows staff to get to know and understand the individual needs of each and every child. They foster their talents and nurture their growth through a challenging and exciting curriculum.

The wonderful environment and outstanding facilities provide a strong framework upon

which the ethos of ‘allowing children to be children’ can be achieved. Childhood is full of exciting new experiences which, parents and teachers relive, through the eyes and laughter of the children.

For further information about Holmewood House please visit our website: www.holmewoodhouse.co.uk

The Music Department

The Music Department is purpose built with a 350 seat theatre attached. The department itself has three class teaching rooms as well as 9 practice rooms. There are numerous opportunities for the children to perform throughout the year, including weekly informal concerts and evening showcase concerts. As a visiting music teacher at Holmewood House, you would be expected to encourage your students to take part in these. In addition to performance opportunities, the children are prepared for public music examinations and some of the most able for music scholarships to a variety of senior schools. The majority of children learn at least one musical instrument and there are currently three orchestras, three choirs and a few smaller ensembles.

Your role

This self-employed role will appeal to all passionate musicians who have a desire to inspire children and develop in them an appreciation and love of music. We are currently looking for a percussionist/drumkit teacher to increase our drums provision and start an orchestral percussion programme.

Applicants will be innovative and creative and happily go the extra mile to achieve the highest possible standards of learning for our pupils.

Key attributes for the role

• To work in a team and be able to reflect on advice and suggestions made by colleagues.
• To anticipate needs of individual pupils and act on these as appropriate.
• To display positive and professional communication skills with both staff and pupils.
• To be a positive role model towards the Holmewood House community.
• To have high, but reasonable expectations towards the behaviour of all children in the school and to follow the school’s policy on this area effectively.
• Work in a holistic way, embracing an individual’s emotional, social and educational needs, reflecting our school values (Kindness, Self-Belief and Aspiration).

Other responsibilities of the role

• To attend school INSET and carry out compulsory safeguarding training as appropriate.
• Plan and prepare for lessons and be ready to locate pupils when they forget to come to their music lesson. The school uses a timetabling system to schedule lessons, which you will have access to and need to use. Full training will be provided.
• You will also be expected to teach on our successful “Exploring Instruments” course, whereby each pupil who has signed up receives a 20-minute trial lesson on each instrument. This is our main pupil recruitment method and is working well.
• All visiting music teachers are also expected to provide occasional one-off trial lessons free of charge where appropriate to build up their timetable and to promote their instrument in school assemblies and occasional parents evenings, school concerts and events as agreed with the Head of Music.

Remuneration

As all our visiting music teachers are self-employed, you will be required to invoice pupils direct to receive payment for lessons. The school do not provide any admin support with this.

Start date

Available to start as soon as possible.

Offer

The successful applicant will be offered the role subject to the satisfactory completion of a number of background checks including but not limited to; an enhanced DBS check, the taking up and verification of references, the verification of career history and fitness to undertake the role.

Safeguarding

All staff have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children with whom they come into contact and are required to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding policies at all times.

Application

If you wish to be considered for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found here and email to: recruitment@holmewoodhouse.co.uk and submit your CV with your application.

The closing date for applications is 9am, Monday 6th January 2025. However, interviews for short-listed candidates may take place prior to the closing date. If you would like more information on the role or require a hard copy application form please contact Michelle French, HR Manager on 01892 860000 or at mfrench@holmewoodhouse.co.uk

Alternatively, for more information or a discussion about the role, you can contact our Head of Music, Lydia Carter at lcarter@holmewoodhouse.co.uk.