Head of Instrumental Music / Teacher of Music

About the job

We are seeking a dynamic, talented and well-qualified individual to lead the instrumental provision and to teach Music in our thriving boarding school, from September 2025 or January 2026. 

Music holds a privileged place at the heart of Benenden, with countless opportunities for girls of all ages. With a staff of 32 teachers and with more than 440 weekly individual lessons involving over two-thirds of the School, a full class teaching timetable, and a wide array of instrumental and choral ensembles, there is very much the feel of a ‘school within a school’.

This role comes at a particularly exciting time as Benenden looks to capitalise on the enormous potential of the stunning new Music School and Concert Hall.

The successful applicant will be an outstanding instrumentalist, confident in leading and coaching instrumental ensembles, and able to inspire musicians across all seven year groups.  

The post will also involve some classroom teaching at KS3, KS4 and possibly, but not necessarily KS5. For candidates with less experience of teaching academic music, Benenden is experienced in supporting new teachers, for instance in enabling members of staff to gain QTS. 

The post holder will be working alongside a very supportive team to deliver a varied, stimulating and high-calibre music programme to talented, motivated and enthusiastic pupils. You will be given every opportunity to develop your own ideas, lead department initiatives and put them into practice. 

Information about the Music Department 

All students from Year 7 to Year 9 receive one hour of class-based music teaching each week as part of an enquiry-based curriculum. In these sessions, we aim to give them a secure grounding in the skills of listening, analysis and composition as preparation for Music GCSE and A Level. The appraising of a wide variety of music is balanced with weekly opportunities to perform and other extension opportunities, such as composition and exploring Music Technology. 

The curriculum is enhanced by a busy programme of large and small-scale concerts, masterclasses, and the hosting of world class performers such as the Britten Sinfonia, Sheku-Kanneh-Mason, Angela Hewitt, and Jess Gillam, as part of the School’s Hemsted Park concert series. 

Benenden’s musicians frequently perform in London and further afield, with recent highlights including performances in Lisbon, Salamanca, St Paul’s Cathedral, the 606 Jazz Club, Windsor Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, the Savoy Hotel, and the London Coliseum. 

For an informal conversation about this role, contact Edward Whiting, Director of Music, on ejw@benenden.school

How to Apply

For a full job description and to apply, please click the apply button.

Applications should be received by midnight on Monday 16 June 2025.

We reserve the right to appoint a candidate earlier than the deadline if we find the right candidate for the position, so we encourage early applications.

The post-holder will be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children with whom they come into contact. They must ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection Policy Statement at all times. This appointment will be subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. 

Benenden School is committed to equal opportunities and equal pay for all employees. Whilst Benenden isn’t accredited to the Living Wage Foundation, we do look to the Living Wage for guidance and our starting pay is currently in line with this.