Director of Music

About the job

Expected Start date: September 2025 / January 2026

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding and inspirational Director of Music.

Championing the academic study of music, inspiring colleagues and pupils alike, and promoting the best possible musical pedagogy, the successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the exciting extra-curricular provisions of the department.

Forest has a long-standing reputation for its outstanding Music Department. The co-curricular programme, and in particular Music, is at the core of the educational provision. There is an incredible array of musical ensembles and choirs and Forest is a school where music is not simply an additional activity but a subject where those pupils who wish to pursue it to the highest level regularly achieve that goal. Many pupils attend conservatoire Junior Departments and are members of national organisations such as the National Children’s Choir and the National Youth Orchestra. Pupils regularly go on to study Music at university and conservatoire, often winning scholarships.

This is a dynamic and busy department, with an excellent team of 5 classroom teachers, a full-time Music School Manager and 40 Visiting Music Teachers. Our ethos is that all our pupils should be considered as musicians and should be inspired to love music. There is a full programme of concerts and recitals at Forest. In addition, being situated a short distance from central London, the department makes good use of opportunities to take pupils to concerts and recitals as well as providing the opportunity to give regular performances at venues such as St. James’ Piccadilly, St. John’s Smith Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Southwark Cathedral and Chelmsford Cathedral. There are music tours and and a biannual Musical production, which will take place in November 2025.

Why work at Forest?

There are many benefits of working at Forest school as staff are our single most important asset. Key benefits include:    

• Generous CPD budget               
• Comprehensive Professional Development Review system               
• Opportunities to contribute to the wider community via our extensive Outreach Programme       
• Free hot lunch (takeaway sandwich lunch also available) and refreshments throughout the day               
• 20% fee remission (pro-rata for part time staff) for children attending Forest which is applicable Y3-Y13               
• Subsidised membership to the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre             
• Membership of the School's Group Life Assurance scheme and Personal Accident Scheme        
• Contribution towards private medical insurance fees               
• Membership of a pension scheme

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, so early applications are encouraged. Forest School reserves the right to make appointments at any stage.

Applications will close on Monday 28 April 2025 at 12 midday.

Interviews will be held in the week of 5 May, 2025.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.