Instrumental Music Teacher: Woodwind

Surrey County Council; Fairlands; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Surrey is seeking a dedicated woodwind teacher to provide high-quality music education to children and young people. The role involves teaching multiple woodwind instruments and potentially conducting whole class sessions. This position offers flexible hours, a supportive environment, and opportunities for professional development. Ideal candidates will have a recognized music qualification and a genuine passion for teaching music. The hourly salary is £29.86 with additional benefits.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous local government pension

Paid volunteering days

Comprehensive sick pay

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Ability to teach a range of students with varied musical abilities.
• ICT literate: ability to use email and web-based platforms.
• Flexible approach to teaching schedules and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality music education to students at various schools.
• Adapt lessons according to students' needs and abilities.
• Prepare students for music exams and performances.

Skills

Recognised music diploma/degree or equivalent professional experience

Passionate about music education

Ability to adapt teaching style

Knowledge of music exam specifications

Strong interpersonal skills

Education

Recognised music diploma/degree

Job description

• Salary: £29.86 per hour (inclusive of Holiday Pay)
• Category: Cultural Services
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 10 hours per week, 33 weeks per year
• Posted on: 23 September 2025
• Directorate: Resources
• Location: Surrey Arts, 14 The Pines, Broad St, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 3BH

Description

The hourly salary for this role is £29.86 inclusive of 15% holiday pay. This equates to an annual salary of £9,853per annum for working 10 hours per week, 33 weeks per year (330 hours per year) with the potential to build on these hours.

Are you a talented and creative musicianwho wants to share their passion for playing an instrument and making music with children and young people across Surrey? Come and work for Surrey Arts, Surrey's leading provider of youth music lessons, ensembles and instrument hire.

We currently have a vacancy for a permanent, salaried peripatetic woodwind teacher working both during school hours and after school hours on weekdays and Saturday mornings based in north, west and south of Surrey.Ideally, the candidate would be able to offer multiple woodwind instruments (e.g. flute, clarinet, sax – acknowledging that this would be to different standards) or offer a second additional instrument such as piano. However, for the right candidate, we would consider only one. The hours could be flexible but with a minimum of 10hrs per week for 33 weeks, but in the hope to build to 15 hours per week or more.

Rewards and Benefits

• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Annual salary paid in 12 monthly instalments meaning pay is received during the school holidays
• Able to join the Teachers' Pension Scheme, whereby Surrey County Council contribute 28.68% of your salary into your pension
• Comprehensive sick pay: 3 months full pay; 3 months half pay in a rolling 12-month period
• Savings on a range of retailers, including supermarkets, high street shops, utilities, travel, transport, health and wellbeing
• Clear salary progression based on experience and additional responsibilities
• Professional development through specialised training in diverse teaching methodologies, instrument-specific masterclasses, and pedagogical workshops
• Opportunity to contribute to Surrey Arts' youth music programs and participate in high-profile gala events and concerts
• Potential to develop specialised teaching areas such as early years music education, contemporary music, or inclusive music-making for students with additional needs

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a woodwind teacher to join our talented team of experienced and committed teaching staff. Across 33 weeks of the academic year, you will deliver high quality and innovative music education to students at various schools and venues around the county.

You will join a team dedicated to"changing lives through world class arts".Surrey Arts is an ambitious and forward-thinking organisation that places young people at the centre of our work. We are committed to developing Surrey Arts as a genuinely inclusive organisation, and one that meets the needs of the whole diverse community of Surrey.

The advertised salary is based on delivering one to one and small group music tuition. We would hope that applicants will be also be able to deliver whole class teaching or be an ensemble conductor or assistant conductor. These activities attract a higher rate of pay, and the annual salary will be increased in accordance with Surrey Arts Teacher Pay Scales.

The hours advertised may be subject to change due to small fluctuations in demand. After the first four months of employment, the annual salary will be adjusted accordingly to reflect actual hours worked.

Teaching takes place during the school day, after school and at the weekend, at variousschools and music centres in Surrey. You will therefore need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role.

Shortlisting criteria

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align withour behaviours:

• Recognised music diploma/degree or equivalent professional experience
• Passionate about the importance of music with a genuine desire to help all students express themselves musically
• Ability to teach a range of students, adapting teaching style and genre of music to deliver engaging lessons that offer challenge and independence appropriate to age and ability
• Knowledge of and willingness to learn music exam specifications and how to prepare students for exams (as appropriate)
• ICT literate: ability to use email and web-based platforms
• Understanding of safeguarding and commitment to ensuring the welfare of students
• Commitment to continuing professional development and strong interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues
• A flexible approach to working due to changes in teaching schedules and ability to travel around the county.

Application Questions

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following four questions:

• How does your knowledge, skills and experience demonstrate that you are a competent/proficient musician?
• Please describe your approach to planning and delivering paired and small group music lessons.
• How do you/would you ensure that all children and young people you work with are engaged and reach their full potential?
• Please give a specific anonymised example of how you have built positive relationships with students and/or colleagues.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

As part of your application for this role you will be required to provide your full work history and confirm any qualifications you hold.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion about the role, please email your contact details [e-mail] so a member of the team can get in touch with you.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Sunday 5 October 2025 with shortlisting scheduled for theweek commencing 6 October. Interviews will take placew/c 13 October 2025.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.