We are looking to appoint an interim Director of Music to provide short-term cover from late April/early May until the end of the Summer Term 2026. We also have a 2-term part-time teaching vacancy available from September and, if suitably qualified, the same candidate could potentially stay on at the School to take on this teaching post.
Reporting to the Senior Leadership Team, the interim Director of Music will be responsible for maintaining a clear vision for Music at Harrodian and will lead the delivery for both academic music and musical performance across the School, ensuring the smooth running of the department on a day-to-day basis whilst also steering it towards longer term development goals. The post-holder will work with other Heads of department, particularly the Head of Drama, and in conjunction with the Heads of Pre-Prep, Prep and Seniors to ensure that a wide and varied co-curricular programme dovetails with other areas of school life. The Director of Music line manages a team of full-time and part-time academic staff, a full-time Music Technician, a part-time Graduate Music Assistant and numerous specialist Visiting Music Teachers, playing an active part in all music-related appointments. They will oversee their team’s professional development and will identify staff needs and deal with any issues that require attention. They will be an active presence at school events and functions.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate outstanding artistic leadership alongside strong academic credentials. They will hold a relevant degree and be an outstanding classroom practitioner, able to teach confidently at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, and to lead by example. They will be energetic, enthusiastic, organised and a first-class communicator and presenter who is also a team-player capable of building strong professional relationships with colleagues, pupils and parents and for promoting their subject throughout the School. They should ideally have experience and a proven track record of success with a choral or orchestral focus and/or a keen interest in musical theatre. They should also have a progressive and broad reach across musical genres and the interest and willingness to allow pupils to explore these at Harrodian in a variety of forums and opportunities. Accompanying experience to diploma level would be highly desirable.
Music and musical performance play a significant part in the life of Harrodian pupils, parents and staff. The Director of Music has overall responsibility for the age 4-18 music provision which gives all pupils and students access to learning, composition and performance opportunities, with the latter ranging from the less formal recitals, workshops, masterclasses and assemblies through the House Singing Competition, Musical Assemblies, Battle of the Bands and pop concerts to more formal recitals, performances and concerts, including the annual Carol Concert. There are long-established traditions of excellence in Musical Theatre at Harrodian including, most recently, acclaimed productions of Les Misérables, Grease and Legally Blonde.
At GCSE and A Level, pupils currently study the Eduqas (WJEC) exam board for Music. Through the co-curricular programme, pupils are encouraged to work towards graded examinations both vocally and in a variety of musical instruments.
Departmental Structure
This post reports to the Director of Music.
Accommodation and Equipment
There are four full-time music teachers at Harrodian, a music graduate / accompanist and a music technician, as well as a team of 20 visiting music staff teaching a variety of instruments. The Music Department is housed in its own building and incorporates 3 teaching classrooms, 7 practice rooms and an auditorium space for concerts and recitals. There are 12 iMacs in the department, each running Logic Pro X, Garageband and Sibelius software.
Working days and hours
This is a full-time position. Full-time working days and hours at Harrodian are Mondays from 08h00 to 17h00 and Tuesdays to Fridays from 08h15 to 17h00. Five staff training days are held over the year, at the start of the Autumn, October half, and Spring terms. Term dates are published on the School's website.
Salary and Benefits
The agreed salary will depend upon qualifications and experience.
Harrodian offers a range of benefits, including a free car park (on a first come first served basis), a cycle to work scheme, free refreshments and lunches during term time, free access to some of the School’s sport and leisure facilities at stipulated times, access to an ongoing cycle of cultural, musical, theatrical and sporting talks and events, and a defined contribution pension scheme.
The School
Founded in 1993, the Harrodian is a co-educational school set on 25 acres of grounds with excellent facilities. Providing staff and students alike with a welcoming and exceptional learning environment, where small class sizes and high standards foster academic excellence, we value enthusiasm, adaptability and a commitment to student engagement across all ability levels. A sense of fun, responsiveness to individual learning needs, and an open approach to teaching are qualities we regard highly. Staff are also expected to contribute to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school, ensuring a holistic and enriching educational experience for all pupils.
Please submit a fully-completed application form, to include a cover letter addressed to the Headteacher, and full CV, accounting for any gaps in employment
Closing date: Tuesday, 14th April 2026 at 9am. Please note: Early applications are encouraged. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive and interviews may be held ahead of the closing date. The School reserves the right to appoint at any stage of the application process.
Interview dates: where possible, before the end of term, otherwise w/c 20 April . As part of the interview process, all candidates will be expected to teach one lesson, conduct a choir rehearsal, complete an admin/in-tray task, Interview with the Director of Music and Head of Lower School Music, in addition to an Interview with the Headteacher. Preparation work in advance of the class lesson will be required and details will be provided prior to interview.
Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK. Harrodian is unable to act as a sponsor for an employment visa.
Safeguarding and employment checks: Harrodian is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of employment are subject to receipt of satisfactory references, an Enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service, checks with any applicable Overseas Criminal Records body, medical clearance and proof of legal right to work in the UK. In accordance with current Keeping Children Safe in Education recommendations, online searches may be done as part of due diligence checks. Please read our Safer Recruiting Policy and Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy by selecting from our list of policies HERE.
All positions within the School are exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Enhanced DBS check will give details of all spent and unspent convictions and other recordable matters. A policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available from HR. References will be taken up and the School may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications.