We are looking to appoint a Director of Music to cover a maternity leave due to start mid-May. We welcome applicants who are available to start late April/early May, as well as those who are available from September 2026 until the end of the Spring Term 2027.
Reporting to the Senior Leadership Team, the 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.
Applicants for this role should have a deep commitment to high quality teaching and learning and be equally passionate about creating high-calibre performance opportunities across the school that will challenge our most talented musicians but also allow inspirational opportunities that encourage all pupils to experience the enjoyment of musical participation and performance. The successful candidate will be passionate about their art and will strive to deliver a forward-thinking and innovative programme that, whether in the classroom, through practice and performance or through visits and tours, also includes enrichment activities that ensure that a passion and talent for music continues to be nurtured and developed across all year groups and abilities.
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, an acclaimed production of Legally Blonde and, coming soon, Oliver.
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. The musical facilities are housed in a dedicated Music School equipped with classrooms, teaching and practice rooms. Performance spaces include a 70-seat auditorium, reception hall and theatre.
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 fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school, ensuring a holistic and enriching educational experience for all pupils. Teaching staff at Harrodian can therefore expect to lead a form and run lunchtime/after-school clubs as part of this contribution.
Accommodation and Equipment
There are four full-time music teachers at Harrodian as well as a team of 17 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, fixed term (maternity cover) position. Working hours during term time are: Mondays from 08h00 to 17h00 and Tuesdays to Fridays from 08h15 to 17h00.
Salary and Benefits
The salary will be commensurate with the post and 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.
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: Thursday, 5th February 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: TBC. As part of the interview process all candidates will be required to teach at least one academic lesson and lead a rehearsal. 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.