Head of Strings

Job title: Head of Strings
Job Type: Permanent, two days per week, with the potential for additional teaching hours
Salary: Competitive
Department: Music Department
Reporting to: Director of Music
Location: Highgate, North London
Start: September 2025
Closing Date: 2 June 2025 at 8:00 am

Highgate seeks to appoint a dynamic and enthusiastic Head of Strings to work in the school’s thriving Music Department from September 2025.

The successful candidate will devise, lead and oversee the shared pedagogical vision and strategic direction of the school’s string department. They will liaise closely with the Director of Music, and work collaboratively with the Heads of Section (Woodwind, Brass, Keyboard, Vocal Studies and Jazz). They will require the excellent administrative skills needed to run a large team of visiting music teachers and they will advise on lesson allocations, timetabling, organise and deliver a comprehensive and inspiring professional learning system, as well as other day-to-day matters involving pupils, parents and carers. This is a varied role, and the post-holder will also be an experienced string teacher. They will teach individual lessons and chamber music in a positive and inspiring way in the Junior and Senior School. Furthermore, the role requires the Head of Strings to be a figurehead for the HeadStart programme, collaborating closely with the Head of Woodwind and Head of Brass, and overseeing/providing group tuition every Wednesday afternoon through term time, as part of the HeadStart programme.

The HeadStart Programme

 In September 2012 we launched a new and exciting strings scheme, the Junior Strings Project (JSP) for year 3 pupils. Almost 10 years later, we extended this project to woodwind and brass and launched the HeadStart scheme, in which JSP falls under. The programme is open to all Y3 pupils introducing the widest possible selection of orchestral instruments appropriate to 6/7 year olds. Hour-long sessions operate after-school each week on a Wednesday, covering general musicianship, tuition on the instrument of their choice in small groups and ensemble work. Children will learn primarily in the individual instrumental family groups building up to forming a complete Y3 orchestra by the end of the project, that incorporates strings, woodwind and brass.  

The Department

The school has a long and distinguished musical tradition: former pupils include John Rutter CBE, Sir John Tavener, Howard Shelley OBE, Jan Latham-Koenig and Daniel Hope. The Senior School Music Department has its base in Dyne House at the heart of the School.

The Music Department has four offices/teaching rooms for the full time staff, ten teaching/practice rooms, three classrooms (including an IT music suite and a keyboard room), and a recital/rehearsal room, as well as a 300-seater auditorium refitted with the latest technology in acoustic design.

Individual music lessons are given in all the usual instruments and singing. Over 55% of the school’s pupils have music lessons, either inside or outside the School and approximately 45% have lessons in school. About 560 lessons are given per week. A number of pupils attend the junior departments of London music colleges and participate in The National Children’s Orchestra, The London Schools Symphony, The National Youth Orchestra, The National Youth Choir and The National Youth Wind Orchestra.

Main Responsibilities

As Head of Strings:

To be a figurehead for high quality playing at Highgate and setting high expectations of the pupils within the School of Strings.

To work with the Director of Music in forming long-term strategies for the promotion of strings within the school (pupil recruitment, performance profile).

To work with the Director of Music to recruit specialist teachers as required.

Management of the string teachers who teach across both schools including lesson observations/ meetings and appraisals.

Monitoring attendance of pupils at lessons.

To communicate effectively with parents and Heads of House regarding pupil progress and participation.

To oversee allocation of pupils for lessons in consultation with the Director of Music

To oversee and direct (or arrange for direction of) ensembles in both the Senior and Junior Schools, providing performance opportunities each term.

To organise masterclasses, workshops and concert visits for pupils studying.

To promote and support solo opportunities across the Senior and Junior Schools through the competitions and platform concerts and rectials.

To attend a Heads of School meeting (one per week)

To support other string teachers in their professional development through training and the department’s appraisal system.

Keeping up-to-date about developments in string teaching pedagogy.

To attend the VMT consultation evening.

As a Teacher of Violin/Viola/Cello/Double Bass:

To teach a set quota of 35-minute or 50-minute music lessons to pupils as requested by the Director of Music

To set an example of high standards to pupils by demonstrating the taught instrument in lessons

To provide a considered programme of study tailored to each individual pupil that allows for continuity from lesson to lesson

To provide 30 music lessons to each pupil each academic year

To ensure that each pupil is aware of his or her practice requirements for the next lesson and is following those requirements

To prepare pupils to perform in concerts and in other public events

To prepare pupils for public exams as appropriate

To write reports and progress grades to parents/carers (once a year each) on each pupil’s progress

Essential Criteria

Criteria
How will these be tested or verified?
Qualifications and Professional Bodies
- Must possess a qualification in his or her instrument to at least degree level or hold a BA or equivalent in academic music.
Skills & Experience
- The ability to teach a string instrument up to Grade 8 and beyond: ARSM and Dip ABRSM
- The ability and desire to emphasise the encouragement of basic musical skills, physical ease with the instrument and the enjoyment of improvisation, through individual or group tuition and ensemble playing
- The ability to teach foundation techniques, working imaginatively with pulse, rhythm and pitch to provide for development in subsequent years
- The ability to explore all genres of music in an active and stimulating fashion
- An understanding of the place of music in a school such as Highgate and support it in his/her teaching
- Ability to enthuse and recruit new pupils within the framework of a dynamic school environment
- The ability to organise music events and trips and take all necessary steps to ensure that pupils and staff are well-informed and supported in said activities
- Experience of performance at a professional standard
- The ability to plan medium- and long-term for the development of playing, both individual and ensemble, across a range of age groups
- The ability and drive to engage with professionals external to the organisation to support the work undertaken within school
- Experience in teaching individual lessons, group instrumental lessons, general musicianship and musical games
Personal Attributes
- - Setting the highest professional standards of dress, punctuality and politeness and be prepared to demand the same of his/her pupils
  - Must have an ability to relate well to both pupils and other teaching and administrative members of the Music Department and the school and communicate effectively with parents as necessary
  - Have an exemplary attendance record in his or her present and previous employment

Child Protection

In the context of his/her employment the member of staff will frequently be in the presence of children and will therefore have to have appropriate levels of training in child protection.

All members of staff must comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding & Welfare Policy which is posted on the staff intranet. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Policy. A copy of this Policy will accompany all offers of employment.

Benefits

Support | A welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment with significant assistance from a range of support staff.

Pension | The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

Professional development | Comprehensive induction. Focus on continued learning and development for all employees.

Holidays | Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector.

Location | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.

Facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and new swimming pool. Staff can borrow from 1,700 books held in the Sir Martin Gilbert Library.

Lunch | Free tea and coffee A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.

Sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.

Flexible working | Flexibility for parents, enhanced maternity pay and paid dependant leave.

Working at Highgate

A culture of community, kindness and belonging

Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.

Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.

In a recent ISI inspection (Dec 2021), it was noted that “Pupils show exceptional respect for, and appreciate diversity within the school and wider community, and their own and other cultures, demonstrating sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions.”

Staff wellbeing

Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.

The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.

We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.

More details about working at Highgate can be found here:

Work with us Aims + Ethos

Charitable work and sustainability

As an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible – through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham – an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.

Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.

As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 2nd June 2025
Timing of video interview: w/c 2 June
Timing of In person interview: w/c 9 June

Contact: James Newton, Deputy Head (Academic) and Jonathan Murphy, Director of Music, are happy to answer any questions about this post.

Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.

Apply here

Inclusion

We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro-divergence) when you submit your application.

Safeguarding

As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If, while in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community, these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.

Please read before you apply

Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities. 

Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. 

In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.

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