RE: Curriculum Lead for Music
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and talented Curriculum Lead for Music, to lead our well-established and high-performing Music Department. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong leadership potential or previous experience providing excellent preparation for future career development. This position is being offered as a fixed term contract to cover a maternity leave.
The Curriculum Lead for Music will share our dedication to high standards of professionalism and academic excellence and will be enthusiastic about developing their own practice in a supportive and innovative environment. Music is flourishing at SJB, with an increasing number of students taking peripatetic lessons each year. Our department values a collaborative approach to teaching and learning, embracing everyone's unique personalities, skills, interests, and strategies. We seek someone with a genuine passion for Music and teaching young people, who can inspire students and is willing to go the extra mile to help them reach their full potential. While the ability to teach Music to A Level is desirable, it is not essential.
The Music Department is a vital part of our school community, offering a dynamic range of extra-curricular activities and a diverse concert program. We have both a Lower School and an Upper School Choir, with the latter performing SATB repertoire and playing a key role in the Carol Service alongside the Staff Choir. Our musical ensembles include an Orchestra, Junior and Senior Studio Bands, and various ad-hoc groups such as Barbershop, Jazz Band, Tech Club, and Songwriting Club. Students often form their own groups, including a Baroque trio and various Pop bands.
Our concert series features end-of-term showcases, SJB Unplugged, SJB Fest (Rock and Pop events), recitals, and a Year 7 Concert where all Year 7 students perform for parents and staff. Music also plays a significant role in our worship, with singing during Mass and Liturgies, and an annual Carol Service. Additionally, the Music Department collaborates closely with the Drama Department to produce high-quality performances.
The department boasts two classrooms outfitted with keyboards and PCs, featuring Sibelius and GarageBand software. We have well-attended practice rooms for peripatetic lessons, offering instruction on a wide range of orchestral instruments, as well as Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, and Voice. Additionally, we are fortunate to have a full Balinese Gamelan Orchestra, a Samba Kit, and Steel Pans, providing all KS3 students with the opportunity to explore World Music. We also borrow orchestral percussion instruments from Surrey Arts for use by the orchestra.
Location: Woking, Surrey - 15 minute walk from the train station and excellent transport links via A3 and M25
Post: Curriculum Lead for Music
Contract type: Fixed Term
Hours: Full Time or Part Time (minimum 0.8)
Start Date: January 2026
Pay Scale: London Fringe - MPS / UPS plus TLR
Closing Date: 9am on Tuesday 4 November - The school reserves the right to interview and appoint this position ahead of any advised application closing date should an appropriate candidate be found. Therefore, it is advisable to submit applications as early as possible.
About our School
St John the Baptist School, part of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust, is a highly successful, over-subscribed mixed Catholic school and sixth form based in Woking, Surrey.
We are incredibly proud of our school community and in particular our students who are hardworking, well-balanced and enjoy both learning and spending time with each other and our staff. We work in a very positive culture and strive to make all students’ time at school some of the happiest times of their lives.
Our staff are vibrant, enthusiastic, and passionate about ensuring our students get the very best deal. Standards at SJB are high and academic progress excellent. We work closely with the Xavier Teaching School Hub, Teach SouthEast SCITT and Schools Alliance for Excellence (SAfE) and lead the North East Hants and Surrey Maths Hub.
Our Ethos:
SJB is a community where every individual is highly valued and where care and concern for others is central to our work. We aim to blend academic learning with excellence pastoral care so that all students and staff thrive and feel successful.
We offer an excellent benefits package including:
• All teachers are allocated 15% PPA time; above the legal minimum required.
• An extensive range of benefits and discounts with ‘Mylifestyle’, our employee benefits hub including pre-tax car purchasing, cycle to work, dental care and many retailer discounts.
• Free use of the onsite gym (6-8am and 5-8pm weekdays)
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Excellent onsite catering facilities
• Free onsite parking
• Regular staff social events calendared throughout the year
Get in touch if you would like to come and visit us and find out more about this vacancy!
This School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
