Piano Teacher/Accompanist

About the job

The successful applicant, as a self-employed Visiting Music Teacher, will be offered the opportunity to teach a number of piano students in weekly individual lessons on the school site, totalling 1-2 days of lessons per week.

Individual instrumental lessons are invoiced directly to parents/carers of pupils in a private agreement detailed in the School’s Self-Employed Visiting Music Staff Service Agreement. This document is available on request.

The hourly rate is agreed by all self-employed peripatetic teachers in advance of the academic year. The rate for the current academic year (2021-22) is £44.00 per hour. Lessons are usually 30 minutes in length and teachers usually aim to provide 30 music lessons in any one academic year.

Individual lessons operate on a rotational basis for pupils in Years 7 to 11; Sixth Form pupils normally have their instrumental lesson fixed into a free academic period.

The successful applicant will also be contracted by the School (on a self-employed basis) to undertake at least the first of the following further opportunities as required/requested by the Director of Music and depending on the applicant’s skill-set, interests and availability as discussed at interview: 1. Accompaniment of pupils in rehearsals, coursework recordings, concerts and/or exams. 2. Direction of small piano-based chamber ensembles. 3. Delivery of ABRSM/Trinity aural training sessions at Grade 5-8 standard. 4. Delivery of ABRSM Grade 5 theory sessions.

Requirements

Essential

• Highly-qualified, skilled and experienced piano teacher and accompanist

• Excellent sight-reading ability for accompaniment of repertoire (including Grade 8+)

• Enthusiastic, confident, and able to inspire pupils of all abilities

• Engaging, warm and friendly, with excellent interpersonal communication skills with pupils, parents and staff

• Thorough and up-to-date knowledge of ABRSM and Trinity examination requirements

• Flexibility to be able to accompany rehearsals, coursework recordings, concerts and/or exams as requested by the Music Department

Desirable

• Experience of coaching small piano-based chamber ensembles to a high standard

• Experience of teaching ABRSM and/or Trinity aural to Grade 8 level

• Experience of teaching ABRSM theory to Grade 5 level

Safer Recruitment

The Perse School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including: references from previous employers, a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the enhanced level, as well as eligibility to work in the UK (in compliance with UK immigration regulations).

All work carried out at the School on a regular basis amounts to regulated activity. This role is also exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility. 

The School is committed to acting in the best interests of the child so as to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. 

The School requires everyone who comes into contact with children and their families to share this commitment. Interviews will be conducted in person, and they will explore candidates’ suitability to work with children. 

Applications and interview 

Applications are to be made by sending a CV with covering letter to music@perse.co.uk. The closing date for applications is at 12.00pm on Monday 13 June and interviews will take place in the week commencing Monday 20 June. 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to visit the School and to meet the Director of Music and colleagues within the Music Department. Candidates will be asked to take a short individual lesson with a pupil pianist and a short accompaniment session with another pupil as part of the interview process; further details will be provided by the Director of Music for those candidates who are shortlisted. 

Part of the interview process will cover candidates’ suitability to work with children. 

The Perse School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and the successful candidate will be subject to child protection screening including an enhanced DBS check (for which the School will pay). 

The Director of Music, Mr Ben Wingfield, will be very happy to discuss any aspects of the role with applicants via email (music@perse.co.uk) or phone (01223 403831).