Music Teacher

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic classroom teacher to join our busy and successful Music Department.

Whilst the majority of the work will be classroom teaching across our all-through school, we want to develop the role to suit the skills and musicianship of the new colleague. There could be instrumental teaching as part of this role, there could be work as part of our extensive enrichment programme of choirs and ensembles. Someone who is a choral specialist could lead our choirs, both in primary and secondary. There is the potential to work with our strings team, teaching violin. There are so many possibilities.

Music at Simon Balle, as part of the Laurel Education Trust, is thriving and is a beacon of musical inclusion and excellence. Our all-through curriculum, from Reception to Year 13 is ‘spiral’ and we are so proud of what our musicians are learning and achieving. We are continually looking to improve our musical experiences and how we inspire our musicians through our teaching. Our GCSE and A level students work with the Eduqas syllabus (our GCSE points score was +1.48 in 2024). We have large classes at GCSE and A level and our school is a destination for some in the 6th form with bespoke pathways. Across our all-through school, music is a very important part of our broad and ambitious curriculum, which is progressive and sequential from Reception - Year 13. We use chromebooks (all students have a chromebook) and chromeboxes for much of our teaching with Soundtrap, Focus on Sound and Noteflight. We are developing a programme for our most advanced musicians, many of whom work towards LCM diplomas. Most years have some of our Year 13 leavers going to music college or a music conservatoire. We have recently worked with the RNCM Popular Music Team. We are developing a partnership with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Students support our ensembles, as well as taking part in our huge Rock School (which has over 12 bands rehearsing each week). Our primary wind band has 50 students taking part each week, as does our primary string orchestra. Our Junior Wind Band has 60. Our Concert Band is slightly smaller, but is growing again with our increasing numbers coming through. Both Junior Wind and Concert Band have full percussion sections. We have a Big Band and saxophone ensemble as well. We have 4 choirs across the all-through school. Our advanced musicians take part in an annual tour to Ghent - a huge music festival. This year we are launching our Simon Balle Concert Orchestra and Chorus performing 4 arrangements from the recent BBC disco prom. We are looking to develop a ‘middle school’ experience as well. Our teachers work as a team, so that all musicians receive consistent teaching and experiences.

We welcome applications from ECTs, experienced teachers, applicants looking for part time 0.6+ or full time (please state on your application) and those who can bring a variety of skills, including perhaps A level analysis and composition, to our team. Every classroom teacher is equipped with a device (Macbooks for our music team). Due to the nature of the vacancy and our rapid growth, this might be a 1 year contract that could become permanent, but nothing is yet set in stone. There are so many possibilities!

For more details of our amazing music, where 30% of the school learn an instrument and 25% are in an ensemble or choir each week, please visit https://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/music/

Our events are found here: https://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/music/whats-on/

This is an incredible opportunity to be part of an amazing school where we aim to create lifelong musicians and music is so much part of who we are.

If you have any questions or would like to visit, please email Mark Taylor, Director of Music on music@simonballe.herts.sch.uk.

As a member of the Simon Balle Community, we can offer you the following benefits in:

Health

GP helpline - appointments 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Physiotherapy with personalised treatment plans delivered face to face or on the telephone. A weight management 12 week programme in partnership with Slimming World. SAS Gym app - access to exercise programmes. Use of school pool and gym facilities and weekly staff-run swimming and fitness classes.

Wellbeing

Including Mindfulness and stress management - virtual programmes and sessions, Feeling Good app to improve mental health and performance in work and social settings. Individual counselling and therapy sessions. Wellbeing telephone support for menopause, bereavement, cancer & chronic illness, mens health and mental wellbeing plus maternity support.

We have a dedicated staff wellbeing committee and regular staff social events

Finance

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme and cycle to work scheme are coming soon. All staff will automatically be enrolled in a pension scheme with either the Teachers' Pension Service or the Local Government Pension Scheme. Flexible working to support our staff we offer flexible working opportunities; job share arrangements and part-time working wherever possible. Free car parking and free eye tests for display screen equipment users.

We offer terms and conditions in line with the School Teacher's Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), the Burgundy Book (for Teachers) and Hertfordshire's Future Workforce (for Support Staff).

A Commitment to reducing staff workload.

A comprehensive CPD programme with fantastic staff feedback.

Children of staff at Simon Balle All-through School are highly placed on our Admissions Policy

Apply now if you have what it takes to make a difference!

Simon Balle All-through School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants for this post must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with previous employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are committed to a policy of openness and equality of opportunity in the employment of staff. We will not condone discrimination on the grounds of the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. It is our central responsibility to ensure that every individual that we come into contact with is treated with dignity and respect.