Head of Music

Ark; Greater London; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization is seeking a Head of Music to lead and manage the music curriculum at Ark Bolingbroke Academy in Greater London. You will oversee the delivery of music programs, lead a team of tutors, and organize various music events, fostering a vibrant music culture within the school. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Music, experience teaching Key Stage 3 and GCSE, and strong interpersonal skills. A competitive salary and benefits are offered, alongside opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Weekly CPD sessions

Generous pension scheme

Access to Ark rewards

Interest-free loans

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in motivating children with a passion for education.
• Ability to lead and coordinate music events and performances.

Responsibilities

• Lead the effective delivery of the music curriculum.
• Manage and develop peripatetic Music Tutors.
• Oversee the organization of music events and performances.

Skills

Degree in Music or related subject

Mastery of and enthusiasm for Music

Experience teaching Key Stage 3 and GCSE Music

Demonstrable experience in managing behaviour

Excellent interpersonal skills

Commitment to professional development

Education

Degree in Music

Job description

About The Role

Head of Music Reports to: Assistant Principal/Head of Creative and Performing Arts Start date: April 2026 Salary: £41,328 - £53,606 (Ark Main Pay scale AM1‑AM6) + TLR 2B (£5,870) Contract: Permanent Closing Date: Monday, 12th January 2026

The Role

As Head of Department in a music‑specialist school, you will lead, develop and manage the effective delivery of an outstanding curriculum across Music provision, enabling the highest level of student progress and attainment from Key Stage 3 up to Key Stage 5. Bolingbroke’s unique music curriculum offers free group instrumental tuition to every pupil in Year 7 as well as an extensive peripatetic timetable. As Head of Music you will lead the professional community of peripatetic Music Tutors and promote outstanding teaching and learning and a strong school culture within a nurturing and rigorous environment.

You will lead a number of music events over the course of the year, including termly concerts on site and in local churches, the school musical production, as well as the opportunity to coordinate a number of more informal music events linking with the local community. In addition to major music events, you will also oversee the organisation of weekly music performances in assembly and termly key stage assemblies.

Ideal candidate will have:

• Degree in Music or related subject
• Mastery of and enthusiasm for Music
• Experience teaching Key Stage 3 and GCSE Music
• Demonstrable experience in managing behaviour and motivating children with a passion and belief in the potential of every pupil
• Excellent interpersonal, planning and organisational skills
• Commitment to regular and ongoing professional development and training to establish outstanding classroom practice

Benefits

• Weekly CPD sessions and twice as many training days as standard
• Dedicated line management meetings
• Encouragement to staff to develop their own ideas and projects within their departments and beyond
• Generous pension scheme
• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
• Interest‑free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support

About Us

At Ark Bolingbroke Academy, we are a courageous, compassionate community – empowering excellence. We are a value‑lead organisation, being bold within every aspect of our lives at school. Our talented teaching and support staff insist on high educational standards every single day, and their commitment is shown in our excellent results, with over 80% of our students achieving a top‑third university or top 100 apprenticeship.

We want all staff to thrive, modelling leadership and determination to the pupils and students within our rich and diverse academy, working together to fulfil our vision of creating a centre of excellence within our local community.

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non‑disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on‑going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.