Visiting Music Teacher - Violin/Viola

About the job

The Perse is one of the country’s leading co-educational independent day schools, providing a high quality education to pupils aged 3-18 in Cambridge. 

The Perse Upper School is seeking an inspirational, experienced violin teacher (with viola, if offered) to join our vibrant Music Department, teaching pupils across the 11-18 age range from March 2024. Music is a dynamic, ever-growing department with a rich and varied programme of high-quality events throughout the school year. Our overriding aim is to foster a culture of inclusivity and music for all but with a mindfulness for realising the potential of our most gifted pupil musicians. 

The successful applicant, as a self-employed Visiting Music Teacher, will be offered the opportunity to teach a number of pupils in weekly individual lessons on the school site. Applicants would need to commit to teaching at least one working day of individual lessons, though more lessons may be available subject to pupil/parent demand and fair distribution of pupils amongst fellow string teachers.

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 successful applicant may also be contracted by the School on a self-employed basis to  undertake any of the following further opportunities as required by the Director of Music and depending on the applicant’s skill set, interests and availability as discussed at interview:

· Direction of large and small ensembles.

· Delivery of ABRSM aural training sessions at Grade 5-8 standard.

· Delivery of ABRSM Grade 5 theory sessions.

· Piano accompaniment of pupils in rehearsals, concerts and exams as required.

Person Specification

Essential

· Highly qualified, skilled and experienced string teacher and performer

· 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

Desirable

· Able to offer viola tuition as well as violin

· Able to play piano and offer accompaniment as needed

· Able to coach large and small string-based ensembles to a high standard

· Able to teach ABRSM aural to Grade 8 level

· Able to teach ABRSM theory to Grade 5 level

The hourly rate is agreed by all self-employed peripatetic teachers in advance of the academic year. The rate for the current academic year (2023-24) is £49.00 per hour. Lessons are usually 30 minutes in length and teachers usually aim to provide 30 music lessons in any one academic year.

Applicants may wish to consider applying for this role in tandem with the employed Head of Strings role which has also been advertised by the School to start in March 2024. Please visit our website to view the ‘Head of Strings’ role description for further information, including how to apply - Work with us - The Perse School Cambridge 

Applications for the Visiting Music Teacher - Violin/Viola are to be made by sending a CV with covering letter to music@perse.co.uk

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 and may also be asked to lead a string ensemble as part of the interview process; further details will be provided by the Director of Music for those candidates who are shortlisted

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).

Closing date: 11^th December 2023 at midday but applications will be considered as they are received; The Perse School reserves the right to make an appointment before the closing date.

The School actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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.