New

Self-employed basis initially for 2 hours on one afternoon per week, with the potential and capacity to expand

Kew House School Music Department is seeking an experienced piano teacher on a self-employed basis to commence in November 2024, or soon after. The successful candidate will have the experience and/or ability and drive to lead students to achieve outstanding results, in terms of both general progress, solo and ensemble performance and, where appropriate, in Trinity/ABRSM/Rock School exam results.

Facilities:

KHS music department comprises bespoke practice rooms, rehearsal class teaching rooms, and recording and performance spaces, with the equipment to facilitate everything from classical quartets to rock gigs.

Curriculum:

The KHS music curriculum starts with a two-year Key Stage 3 in which music is taught to mixed ability classes in Y7 and Y8 for 90 minutes every week. Music lessons in Y7 involve the school’s USP of giving every child tuition in playing orchestral instruments; the project is delivered by specialist instrumental teachers alongside the classroom teacher.

Music is a popular option at GCSE and taught across three years. Our post-16 provision teaches both “straight” A-level music and BTEC music performances (focusing on pop styles). The school’s aim is to provide a rich and broad education to all students whatever their specialism. Whilst we aim to achieve the highest academic results for each student, we do not serve as an examination “factory”.

Co-Curricular:

The music department is central to the school’s co-curricular provision with a wide range of performance opportunities for the Senior Choir, Junior Choir, Chamber Choirs, String Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Senior Soul Band, and several junior Rock Bands, in addition to music-theatre productions.

Personal Specification:

Strong applicants for the post will be able to teach a variety of styles including the classical tradition and some popular styles with an awareness of the benefit of using more modern styles to access technique and notation theory when teaching children. An understanding of jazz would be beneficial, but not a prerequisite.

The position initially involves approximately 2 hours of teaching on one afternoon per week (4-6pm). There is scope to increase hours and pupil numbers and teach during the 12-2pm lunchbreak.

The position is on a self-employed basis. Teachers charge a standard rate, in keeping with the whole-school agreed charge per hour, issue their own terms and conditions, and invoice parents directly (currently £60 per hour).

The role will include completing reports to parents on pupils’ progress and targets for improvement, supporting extra-curricular music through attending performances and music events throughout the year, as well as maintaining regular and clear communication with parents.

Teaching & Learning Responsibilities

Self-employed visiting music teachers must deliver high-quality lessons, and ensure that all their pupils show musical progress by:

• promoting a love of music-making for every pupil, setting suitable expectations and targets for improvement.
• managing pupil progress through well-planned teaching and well-considered resources/repertoire, ensuring support, continuity, and challenge.
• setting practice targets regularly to consolidate and extend learning and to encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own learning.
• preparing pupils for performance opportunities as required, such as gigs, concerts, GCSE and A-level examination performances.
• using positive behaviour management in an environment of mutual respect which allows pupils to feel safe and secure and promotes their self-esteem.
• informing the school of any absences in line with the procedure as outlined in the peripatetic agreement, and to make appropriate arrangements with parents to catch up on lessons missed wherever possible.

To apply for the role of self-employed Visiting Music Teacher (Piano), please send your CV, a brief letter of application which outlines your suitability for the role, and contact details for two professional referees to:

Rupert Gardner

Director of Music

Interviews will take place as soon as suitable applications are received.

The successful candidate will be subject to all necessary background, safeguarding and DBS checks.

Kew House School is a co-educational independent senior school for students aged 11-18 years in West London, near to Kew and Chiswick. The school opened its doors for the first time in September 2013 with 63 students and now has over 550 on roll. It is the sister school to Maida Vale School, Ravenscourt Park and Kew Green Preparatory Schools and is owned by The Gardener Schools Group Ltd, a family company founded by Maria and Edward Gardener.

Kew House School takes a modern and pioneering approach to every aspect of school life. The key characteristics upon which the school was founded are:

Ethos and aims

Individualised attention both pastorally and educationally for all students. KHS benefits from having a smaller student roll than many independent senior schools and provides the flexibility needed to enable students to fulfill their potential.

Selection criteria

We seek inquisitive, intelligent students displaying a recognisable talent. Although we use entrance testing, greater emphasis is placed on interview, and feeder school reports. We select each year group as a whole cohort seeking a balanced mix of aptitudes and personal attributes.

Ethos

We recognise and enhance the individual abilities of each child, welcome students with varying academic profiles and place emphasis on confidence, self-esteem and creativity. We believe this approach will produce excellent academic results. We operate a true “open door” policy welcoming parents and members of the wider community. The school has developed the feeling of a family and social hub giving emotional support and security to all students and employees, achievable due to its size.

The curriculum

We pursue excellence in all areas whether examinable or not. Our aim is to provide a rich and broad education to all students whatever their specialism. While we aim to achieve the highest academic results for each pupil we do not serve as an examination “factory”. Our “Individuals in Society” (IS) course focuses on personal development, emotionally, practically, and intellectually, throughout each student’s life at the school via regular, time-tabled sessions and extensions of the school day.

Community involvement

The school is outward looking taking full advantage of the wide variety of cultural, scientific and business organisations in London as a resource for academic and non-academic learning as well as fostering opportunities for service to the local community. Visitors regularly hold seminars and workshops at the school.

Modern and Pioneering Approach

The school takes a fresh approach to all areas of school life and will not be bound by current conventions and practice. Whilst retaining the core traditional values in place at our preparatory schools, we have made bold decisions about curriculum, timetabling, the length and shape of the school day and term, aligning the school with the lives of students and parents. The school operates as an educational and social centre for students in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays when core, extension or one-off learning courses will operate and social events take place.

Creativity and excellence

The school exists to foster individual and group creativity in all areas and to allow talent to bloom. We encourage individuality of thought and self-motivation in all areas of study and exploration.