We are seeking to appoint an Assistant Director of Music to join a vibrant and thriving department. The successful candidate will be a qualified musician who will be happy to teach academic music from Reception to Year 8, as well as support all the extra-curricular music-making within the Department and all the pupils who undertake individual music lessons.
The Department has its own well‑equipped building and continues to thrive. Over 100 boys take external music exams (mainly ABRSM) each term, with most achieving Distinctions or Merits. Exams range from Grade 1 to post Grade 8, with some boys reaching Diploma level. Each year, senior boys apply for music awards to senior schools; this year, two boys received Music Scholarships to Eton College.
Music-making is extensive at Summer Fields, with two orchestras, a wind/jazz band, and numerous smaller ensembles, and three choirs. One of the choirs is an outstanding four-part Chapel Choir that sings at all the major services throughout the school year, performs in Oxford Colleges, at charity concerts, and has toured Europe and New York. Pupils perform regularly in weekly assemblies and a wide variety of concerts throughout the year, from intimate events like the Guitar Concert to large-scale productions such as the League Music Competition and the Battle of the Bands. More than 75% of the boys learn at least one instrument, with many learning two or three. We offer a wide range of individual lessons, from tuned percussion and organ to harp and bassoon, taught by a team of over 20 visiting peripatetic staff.
The successful candidate will work alongside the Director of Music and will contribute fully to the life of a busy boarding school, including duties, games, activities and pastoral responsibilities. They must have fine keyboard skills and be confident accompanying boys in performances ranging from beginner to expert level. Ideally, they would also be a confident organist able to accompany our Chapel services and on occasions when the Chapel Choir are singing outside school.
This is an ideal opportunity to work in a prestigious independent school in a beautiful location in Summertown. Benefits include a generous flexible pension scheme with salary exchange options, life assurance and income protection. There is also access to an Employee Assistance Programme, an annual flu vaccination, a contributory private healthcare scheme; lunch during term-time, onsite parking, and discount on holiday activity clubs run on site.
Please apply by submitting a fully completed application form with a cover letter addressed to Mr David Faber, Headmaster. To satisfy the requirements for safer recruitment, we need to ask you for your full employment record. Details of any gaps between jobs or between finishing education and employment must be provided. If you have a CV you wish to send, please do so, however a completed application form with full employment history must still be provided. Applications should be saved as Word or PDF files and emailed to recruitment@summerfields.com by the closing date of Sunday 19th April 2026.
Summer Fields is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. All staff must adhere to, and ensure compliance with, the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures in the context of their role. Successful applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
