Teacher of Violin

Working at MCS

There are many benefits to working at Magdalen College School. Founded in 1480 by William of Waynflete, the school has a rich history and an enviable location at the heart of Oxford beside the River Cherwell.

MCS is one of the country’s leading independent day schools. Shaped by its Christian Collegiate foundation and links with the university city of which it is part, it aims to inspire in all its pupils a desire to learn, flourish and serve.

The School will celebrate its 550th anniversary in 2030. The current generation of MCS staff and pupils wish to ensure that we shape a school that is able to flourish for at least another half millennium, and hopefully many more beyond. There are around 950 pupils, boys aged 7-18 and Sixth Form girls, and 350 members of staff who learn and work on the School’s central Oxford site.

To learn more about the opportunities and advantages of working at MCS, please refer to the attached ‘Recruitment Pack (Teacher of Violin)’.

The Role

The school is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced Teacher of Violin to join its Music department from January 2025. There is presently one day of teaching per week, with the potential for this to be expanded in future, depending on waiting lists.

The main duties of the post will include, but not be restricted to, the following:

• teach violin lessons to students of age 7-18 and ranging from beginner to diploma level;
• develop and implement personalised lesson plans and teaching strategies to meet the individual needs of students;
• guide students in developing proper technique, musicianship, and interpretation skills;
• to inspire and oversee the music development of young violinists;
• select and recommend appropriate repertoire for students to enhance their musical development;
• prepare students for performances, recitals, exams and auditions;
• provide constructive feedback and evaluations to students on their progress, identifying areas for improvement and offering guidance for further development;
• communicate and collaborate effectively with students, parents, and colleagues regarding students’ progress, challenges, and achievements;
• attend departmental events, and professional development activities as required;
• stay up to date with current trends and best practices in music education, incorporating new teaching methodologies and resources into lessons.;
• maintain accurate records of students’ attendance, progress, and assessment results;
• to attend concerts in which your pupils perform (when possible)

The Candidate

We are looking for a charismatic musician who can teach the violin to pupils throughout the school. The successful candidate will have:

• a keen interest in the welfare of pupils and show clear commitment to safeguarding children;
• to be a well-qualified graduate of Music or a related discipline;
• demonstrable expertise and mastery of the violin, with a strong background in performance and pedagogy;
• proven experience in teaching the violin to students of different ages and skill levels, preferably within a school setting;
• excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey musical concepts effectively to students, parents, and colleagues;
• a genuine passion for teaching and a commitment to the musical development of students;
• ability to establish a supportive and nurturing learning environment, where students feel comfortable and motivated to explore and develop their musical abilities;
• flexibility to tailor teaching approaches to suit individual students’ needs and learning styles;
• willingness to collaborate with other music teachers and participate in departmental activities, such as ensemble rehearsals and performances;
• ability to plan and organise lessons effectively, including selecting appropriate repertoire and resources for students;
• demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional growth and development in the field of music education

The Teacher of Violin will report to the Director of Music, and ultimately to the Master, for the proper discharge of his or her duties.

Remuneration

Instrumental teachers are employed as permanent members of MCS staff, and therefore receive holiday pay, pension contributions and other staff benefits in addition to their hourly pay, which is £41.73 for the academic year 2024-2025. The school also operates a cycle to work scheme, and travel loans are available. MCS offers teaching staff a choice of pension arrangements; a Defined Contribution scheme with an employer contribution of 23.68% or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme with a salary sacrifice arrangement. Staff may move between the two schemes as suits their needs. The Master will discuss the pension with any offer of appointment.

Application Process

Candidates should submit the following two documents to the Recruitment Officer, Miss Yelena Molcanova (recruitment@mcsoxford.org), which can be found here.

1. MCS Application Form for Teaching and Support Staff
2. CV (Curriculum Vitae)

All documentation should be sent no later than Monday 25th November, at midday. The school’s preferred method of communication is by email and it will not be necessary to send a hard copy of the documents by post.

References may be taken up in advance. If you do not wish for your references to be called for at this stage, please make that clear on the reference section of the application form.

Interviews

We anticipate holding interviews in the week commencing 2nd December, which will include a taught lesson. We will be in contact with shortlisted candidates by telephone. Please be aware that all shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete a ‘Self-Disclosure’ form before attending their interview. We reserve the right to interview and appoint before the above dates.

Magdalen College School is committed to the safeguarding of pupils, and any offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure, the receipt of satisfactory references, the school’s pre-employment medical questionnaire, plus sight of relevant ID documentation and degree certificate(s). The enhanced DBS check is due to this role being exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.