Downside School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, and one of England's oldest and most distinguished Catholic schools. We are situated at the foot of the Mendip Hills, twelve miles south of the city of Bath.

Music plays an integral part of life at Downside, where pupils are encouraged to learn and participate as fully as possible in a weekly routine of rehearsals, recitals and concerts.

Music scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+ are awarded each year. We have a fully funded organ scholarship (The Sill Award) which can be awarded at 13+ or 16+. Academic music standards are high.

Staff

A team of c.18 visiting music teachers (VMTs) provides instrumental and vocal tuition as well as dance and LAMDA.

If you would like any more information regarding music at Downside please contact Karen Randall. Email: krandall@downside.co.uk

Main Responsibilities

The school seeks an organ teacher to teach c. 2-4 hours per week on a self-employed basis. We are seeking an outstanding teacher, performer, and communicator with the ability to inspire the talented and the less advanced in equal measure. Ideally, the successful applicant will have a proven track record of teaching at other schools.

The post holder will nurture pupils development as organists, provide them with suitable opportunities to perform, and take a leading role in encouraging meaningful progress throughout their time at the School. Where appropriate, pupils should also be trained in service playing and choral accompaniment and encouraged to play the renowned Compton organ (IVP) in the schools Abbey Church services, and the Sweetland organ (IIP, mechanical action) in the Old Chapel for smaller-scale events. Organ pupils also have access to the Schools modern fleet of pianos, including a Steinway grand, as well as a harpsichord and a digital practice organ.

The successful applicant will have the skill and experience necessary to train more able organ pupils in broader keyboard skills such as improvisation, score-reading, transposition and figured bass, and as choral directors, in order to prepare them for future studies should they wish to continue their organ playing in higher education.

The successful applicant may be invited to cover for the School Organist, accompanying services in Downside Abbey Church on Sundays and at other events midweek, including playing for the schools Hymn Practice on a Friday afternoon.

This is a part-time position on a self-employed basis, and hours will vary from term to term depending upon pupil numbers. Self-employed VMTs invoice parents directly.

Downside School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS.

We strive to be an equal opportunities employer. By car, we are within 40 minutes of Bristol, 30 minutes of Bath and 15 minutes of Wells.

Registered Company No. 11751009 and Registered Charity No: 1184700

Downside School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, and one of England's oldest and most distinguished Catholic schools. We are situated at the foot of the Mendip Hills, twelve miles south of the city of Bath.

Music plays an integral part of life at Downside, where pupils are encouraged to learn and participate as fully as possible in a weekly routine of rehearsals, recitals and concerts.

Music scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+ are awarded each year. We have a fully funded organ scholarship (The Sill Award) which can be awarded at 13+ or 16+. Academic music standards are high.