Head of Strings

About the job

Highgate seeks to appoint a dynamic and enthusiastic Head of Strings to work in the school’s thriving Music Department from September 2025.

The successful candidate will devise, lead and oversee the shared pedagogical vision and strategic direction of the school’s string department. They will liaise closely with the Director of Music, and work collaboratively with the Heads of Section (Woodwind, Brass, Keyboard, Vocal Studies and Jazz). They will require the excellent administrative skills needed to run a large team of visiting music teachers and they will advise on lesson allocations, timetabling, organise and deliver a comprehensive and inspiring professional learning system, as well as other day-to-day matters involving pupils, parents and carers. This is a varied role, and the post-holder will also be an experienced string teacher. They will teach individual lessons and chamber music in a positive and inspiring way in the Junior and Senior School. Furthermore, the role requires the Head of Strings to be a figurehead for the HeadStart programme, collaborating closely with the Head of Woodwind and Head of Brass, and overseeing/providing group tuition every Wednesday afternoon through term time, as part of the HeadStart programme.   

The HeadStart Programme

 In September 2012 we launched a new and exciting strings scheme, the Junior Strings Project (JSP) for year 3 pupils. Almost 10 years later, we extended this project to woodwind and brass and launched the HeadStart scheme, in which JSP falls under. The programme is open to all Y3 pupils introducing the widest possible selection of orchestral instruments appropriate to 6/7 year olds. Hour-long sessions operate after-school each week on a Wednesday, covering general musicianship, tuition on the instrument of their choice in small groups and ensemble work. Children will learn primarily in the individual instrumental family groups building up to forming a complete Y3 orchestra by the end of the project, that incorporates strings, woodwind and brass.