Junior School Teacher of Music
We are seeking an outstanding Junior School Teacher of Music for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 who combines strong musicianship and subject knowledge with warmth, creativity and a genuine love of working with children.
Successful candidates will be passionate educators who believe that children thrive when they are trusted, challenged and genuinely known as individuals. They will create classrooms and performance spaces full of curiosity, energy and musical adventure, while providing the kindest and most individual pastoral care.
Teachers at SPGS International School (Singapore) are expected to be highly collaborative, reflective and forward-thinking professionals who contribute actively to the wider life and culture of the school. This is not simply a teaching role; it is an opportunity to help build an exceptional school community with shared values, high standards and a deeply child-centred ethos, and to establish a vibrant musical life for the Junior School as part of a founding team, in the spirit of St Paul's Girls' School's own musical heritage, where Gustav Holst served as Director of Music for nearly three decades.
In the school's opening phase, this role will also involve teaching elements of Performing Arts (such as drama) alongside Music. A willingness to teach across Music and Performing Arts in the opening year is therefore essential; previous experience of teaching Performing Arts is a valuable, though not essential, asset.
The Successful Candidate Will:
- Be an excellent classroom practitioner with strong subject and pedagogical knowledge of primary music education
- Inspire curiosity, creativity and independence in young musicians
- Build warm, respectful and purposeful relationships with students
- Create engaging and intellectually ambitious learning experiences across singing, listening, composing and performing
- Be willing to teach elements of Performing Arts (e.g. drama) alongside Music during the school's opening phase
- Understand the importance of pastoral care and emotional wellbeing
- Value collaboration and professional reflection
- Embrace innovation whilst respecting the foundations of excellent teaching
- Contribute positively to a vibrant school community
- Enjoy helping to build systems, culture and traditions as part of a founding team
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Teaching and Learning
- Plan and deliver engaging, challenging and inclusive music lessons
- Plan and deliver elements of the Performing Arts curriculum (e.g. drama and dance) alongside Music during the school's opening phase, ahead of a dedicated Performing Arts Specialist joining from Year 2
- Foster a classroom culture built on curiosity, confidence, kindness and respect
- Deliver an enhanced English National Curriculum for Music
- Use assessment thoughtfully to support progress and inform planning
- Differentiate effectively to support individual learners
- Promote singing, listening, composing, performing and critical thinking about music across the curriculum
- Create stimulating classroom and performance environments that celebrate learning and student voice
- Ensure high expectations of behaviour, effort and scholarship
- Contribute to curriculum development and the creation of outstanding music (and, in the opening phase, performing arts) learning experiences across the Junior School
- Lead assemblies, singing and hymn practice across the Junior School
- Direct choirs, ensembles and instrumental groups, and organise concerts and performances
- Collaborate closely with colleagues to plan learning, share expertise and reflect on practice
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
- Know every child as an individual
- Support students' social, emotional and personal development
- Contribute actively to the school's pastoral systems and wellbeing programme
- Build positive and trusting relationships with families
- Promote inclusion, kindness and mutual respect throughout the school community
Wider Contribution to School Life
- Contribute fully to the co-curricular programme, including choirs, ensembles, concerts, drama productions and school performances
- Participate in school events, educational visits, performances and community initiatives
- Engage positively with professional development and instructional coaching
- Support the development of school culture, systems and traditions as part of the founding team, including establishing the Junior School's musical and performing arts life from the outset, and supporting a smooth handover to a dedicated Performing Arts Specialist from Year 2
Safeguarding
- Promote and safeguard the welfare of all students
- Follow all safeguarding, health and safety and child protection procedures
- Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and integrity
- Recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of every adult in the school community
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), PGCE or equivalent recognised teaching qualification
- Relevant undergraduate degree in Music or a related discipline
- Minimum of two years' successful teaching experience in Music at Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2
- Experience teaching within the English National Curriculum or a British-style international curriculum
- Strong understanding of child development and effective primary music pedagogy
- Confident, practical musicianship (e.g. keyboard/piano skills and vocal leadership) sufficient to lead whole-class and ensemble music-making
- Willingness to teach elements of Performing Arts (e.g. drama and dance) alongside Music during the school's opening phase, ahead of a dedicated Performing Arts Specialist joining the Junior School from Year 2
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to establish positive partnerships with students, colleagues and parents
- Commitment to safeguarding and child wellbeing
- Genuine enthusiasm for working with young children
- High levels of professionalism, organisation and adaptability
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- Experience within a high-performing international school
- Previous experience teaching Drama, Dance or wider Performing Arts
- Experience directing choirs, ensembles or instrumental groups
- An additional instrumental or vocal specialism
- Experience teaching multilingual learners or students with EAL needs
- Experience integrating technology meaningfully into music learning
- Experience contributing to co-curricular programmes, concerts and performances
- NPQ qualifications, Master's degree or additional professional qualifications
- Experience supporting diverse learning needs, including SEND provision