This is an exciting opportunity for a Head of Music to lead a vibrant music department at The Paragon School, Bath. The successful candidate will be an inspiring and passionate musician with a genuine enthusiasm for working with young children. They will demonstrate creativity, patience, and flexibility, alongside a strong commitment to nurturing a love of music in every pupil, regardless of ability. An excellent communicator with a collaborative approach, they will be able to foster positive relationships with pupils, staff, parents and the wider school community. A sense of humour, warmth, resilience, and a proactive attitude are essential, as is a willingness to contribute fully to the busy life of a thriving prep school.
A school that values music as well as being an embedded feature of the curriculum, outside of the classroom we offer four choirs, samba bands, African drumming clubs, instrumental ensembles and an orchestra. The school participates in Young Voices events, Voices for Life concerts projects in Bath Abbey, competes at the Midsomerset festival, presents 2 musicals every year and often collaborates with Prior Park College.
The department comprises of 7 visiting music teachers. A music administrator also manages all weekly timetabling, pay administration and exam bookings. Music is housed in a purpose-built ‘swiss chalet’ in the grounds of Lyncombe House with one large classroom and three individual practice rooms. The larger room is often used for small recitals and has a Kawai baby grand piano. The smaller rooms are all equipped with clavinova-style pianos.
The Paragon is an independent, co-educational day school based in a beautiful Georgian house a mile from the centre of Bath. Catering for more than 250 children aged three to 11, we offer a broad curriculum taught in small classes by teachers with a real passion for their subject. The school comprises Squirrels Pre-School, a Pre-Prep and Prep School. The Paragon is the junior school of Prior Park College and part of the Prior Park Schools family which also includes Prior Park School in Gibraltar.
Prior Park College music department comprises of a Director of Music, 2 Teachers of Music, 20 visiting Music Teachers and a Music Administrator. Music is integral to life at Prior, the department being situated in the main Mansion building. Performance spaces include our ornate Georgian recital room – the John Wood Chapel, the awe-inspiring acoustics of the school Chapel, as well as the purpose-built Theatre. Our Peripatetic Staff deliver a total of approximately 200 1:1 lessons per week, our 15 school ensembles and soloists perform in over 60 concerts per year. Whole year group brass schemes are run for 2-year groups (Lower 3, Form 3) on trumpet and trombone, for one term per year.
The Schools’ Mission is to steward a thriving family of communities with love for the young people they serve at their heart. These vibrant communities cultivate creativity, foster integrity, and transform lives.
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the school is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
We look forward to welcoming an enthusiastic Head of Music who is dedicated to nurturing talent and promoting a vibrant musical culture within our school.
For further details, please contact Emma in HR on 01225 835353 or recruitment@priorparkschools.com
To apply for a position with Prior Park Educational Trust, we ask that the candidates download, complete and return an application form to the above email address.
Closing Date 12:00 Monday 12 May 2025
Interview date Wednesday 21 May 2025
