Head of Bexley Music

Music Mark; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT) is seeking an inspiring Head of Bexley Music to lead and develop the music service for the London Borough of Bexley. You will drive excellence, build strong school and partner relationships, and shape the strategic direction of the organisation.

The role combines executive leadership with artistic direction, delivering high-quality inclusive music education while ensuring financial sustainability, and working with a talented team across schools and

Qualifications

• Must have significant leadership experience in music education.
• Committed to raising standards and widening participation.
• Excellent communicator with schools and partners.
• Strong leadership, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Resilient and innovative, able to work collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Bexley Music to drive excellence across the service.
• Shape the strategic direction and overall vision for the organisation.
• Build and sustain partnerships with schools, cultural organisations and regional partners.
• Champion inclusion and progression in music education while ensuring high quality delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Partnership building

Collaboration

Job description

We are seeking an inspiring and experienced leader with a passion for high-quality music education, a commitment to raising standards and participation, and the vision, resilience and collaboration skills to build strong partnerships and drive excellence.

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London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT)

Location

Belmont Academy, Belmont Road, DA8 1LE

Contract Type

Full-Time Permanent

Start Date

1st January 2027

Closing Date

2nd October 2026 at 17:00

About the Role

We are looking to appoint an inspiring and committed Head of Bexley Music to lead and develop our music service. We are seeking a candidate who is:

• Passionate about high-quality music education for all children and young people.
• An experienced leader with a strong background in music education.
• Committed to raising standards and widening participation in music.
• An excellent communicator who builds positive relationships with schools, partners, and colleagues.
• Equipped with strong leadership, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• A resilient and innovative professional who enjoys working collaboratively to drive continuous improvement.

This is a unique opportunity to lead and shape one of London’s most vibrant and ambitious music services. As Head of Bexley Music, you will play a pivotal role in driving the strategic direction of the organisation, delivering its vision and influencing music education across the borough. You will join us at an exciting point in our development, with the opportunity to build on a strong foundation of success while leading the next phase of growth, innovation and impact. Working with a talented and committed team of music educators, leaders and partners, you will have the platform to champion excellence, inclusion and progression in music education. You will develop and strengthen relationships with schools, cultural organisations, communities and regional partners, ensuring that children and young people have access to exceptional musical opportunities and clear pathways for achievement. Please note this role integrates executive leadership with artistic direction and operational delivery. The Head of Bexley Music is responsible for ensuring that the organisation delivers high-quality, inclusive music education while maintaining strong partnerships, financial sustainability, and a clear strategic vision for the future. For more information regarding the vacancy please refer to the job description or contact [e-mail]

About Us

Bexley Music, part of London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT), is the Music Service for the London Borough of Bexley and a Principal Partner in the South East London Music Hub (SELMH). The organisation delivers music provision to thousands of children and adults every week, in Bexley schools during the day and at the Music Centre at Belmont Academy, on weekday evenings and all-day Saturday. The provision at the Music Centre consists of individual and group lessons in all musical instruments and singing, as well as opportunities for playing in bands, orchestras, alternative ensembles and singing in choirs. Concerts are a regular part of the provision, taking place locally in churches, schools and other key venues in the borough and further afield, in the Orchard Theatre, Dartford, the Fairfield Halls, Croydon and in various European venues during our annual music tours. New initiatives this year are ‘Endangered Instruments’ and Chamber Ensembles support programmes.

About the Trust

London South East Academies Trust is a growing and ambitious Multi-Academy Trust, currently comprising mainstream, special and alternative provision academies, alongside an outreach service and a music hub. Our schools are located across Bromley, Bexley, Sussex, Lambeth and Surrey, serving a wide range of communities and educational contexts.

Across the Trust, our schools share a strong commitment to raising attainment, encouraging aspiration and supporting social mobility for every pupil, throughout their educational journey and beyond. We take a holistic but personalised approach to education, recognising that children thrive when their individual strengths, needs and circumstances are properly understood and supported. This enables pupils to flourish and achieve their full potential, whatever their starting point.

We believe that great schools are built by great people. As a Trust, we invest in our staff through strong professional development and leadership opportunities, clear expectations and supportive structures. We actively encourage collaboration and the sharing of best practice across schools, supported by high-quality, cost-effective central services that allow leaders and teachers to focus on what matters most: improving outcomes for pupils.

London South East Academies Trust sits within the Elevare Civic Education Group, which also includes a multi-campus further and higher education college, London South East Colleges and a charitable foundation, Elevare Education Foundation. This unique structure provides meaningful progression pathways for pupils and families, as well as broad development and career opportunities for staff across the wider Group.

Our teams are united by a shared belief in the power of education to change lives. By continuing to grow our Trust and welcoming new expertise and perspectives, we aim to strengthen our schools further and extend the positive impact we have on our communities.

London South East Academies Trust is fully committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer and to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful working environment, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome and encourage applications from all, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status or marital or partnership status.

As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we will offer an interview to applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you have accessibility needs or require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please let us know.

Please note that if a suitable applicant is identified, we may close the advert before the published closing date.

As the Trust supports children and vulnerable adults, all roles are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and, where relevant, a Children’s and/or Adult’s Barred List check. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if these checks are unsatisfactory. Self-disclosure is required as part of the recruitment process, and failure to make a full disclosure or to provide sight of a DBS certificate is likely to result in withdrawal of an offer. The Trust’s DBS policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on request.

All appointments are also subject to verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with Home Office requirements. Original documentation will be required prior to commencement of employment.

Bexley Music, part of London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT), is the music service for the London Borough of Bexley and a Principal Partner in the South East London Music Hub (SELMH).

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