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Head of Music Maternity Cover / Teacher of Music
Sawston Village College, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB22 3BP24 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
20 April 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
27 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Subject
- Music
Working pattern
- Full time: Monday to Friday, 32.5 hours per week
Contract type
- Fixed term - 1-year from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027, or until the return of the postholder, whichever is sooner. - Maternity or parental leave cover
Full-time equivalent salary
- £32,916 – £51,048 per annum
Pay scale
- M1 to UPS3
Additional allowances
Plus TLR 2.3 (Head of Music)
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for someone who:
- Is an excellent classroom practitioner with a passion for Music
- Can inspire and motivate pupils of all abilities
- Has high expectations for achievement and behaviour
- Is committed to contributing to the wider life of the school
For Head of Music applicants, you will also demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and the ability to lead and develop a team
- A clear vision for Music and a commitment to raising standard
* Please see the attached recruitment pack for further details about this role and our employee benefits.
What the school offers its staff
Employee Benefits
Anglian Learning offers the following benefits to staff.
- Career Average Revalued Earnings Pension Scheme (CARE)
- Free membership to all Anglian Leisure Sports Centres – Bassingbourn, Bottisham, Sawston, Joyce Frankland, Linton and Netherhall
- 20% discount on Adult Education classes run by Anglian Learning schools
- Employee assistance programme via Health Assured
- Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
- Discounted eye care vouchers
- Annual flu jab vouchers
- Perkbox staff discounts
- Investment in personal development
Further information about the job
An exciting opportunity for both aspiring and experienced leaders
We are seeking to appoint an Inspirational Head of Music Maternity Cover to build on the department’s excellent leadership and outstanding reputation across Cambridgeshire.
We also welcome applications from experience Teachers of Music who are keen to contribute to a thriving department and may be ready to take the next step into leadership.
This role offers a flexible opportunity — whether you are:
- an experienced Head of Music, or
- a strong classroom practitioner ready to develop your leadership skills
Music, and the arts more widely, are at the heart of all that we do at Sawston Village College, and this appointment is integral to our vision and ambition as a successful school.
About The Role
The successful candidate will:
- Lead, manage and develop Music to ensure high-quality teaching and learning
- Deliver a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum that engages and inspires pupils
- Raise standards and support pupils to achieve strong academic outcomes and personal growth
- Contribute to a rich programme of extracurricular music and performances
The Music Department
Music matters at Sawston Village College. Over the past years, the Department has established an enviable reputation for excellence in the County, and we enjoy consistent support from our Senior Leadership Team, the Governing Body and our Arts Development Manager as well as from parents and carers. We are pleased that our contribution to the ethos and the reputation of the College is recognised and appreciated. We have 1 full time and 2 part time members of staff in the Department alongside a large team of visiting instrumental teachers.
Accommodation and resources
In September 2004, the Music Department moved into purpose-built accommodation in the Performing Arts centre. There is a large room used for both teaching and rehearsals, a second sizeable teaching room, an instrumental teaching room, 5 practice rooms (all of which are equipped with pianos), a small Music Technology room, 2 storerooms and an office.
Pupils have ready access to a wide range of percussion during lessons, and many choose to supplement the choice by using their own instruments where appropriate. The Department has an enthusiasm for a wide variety of musical traditions so, in addition to the usual classroom instruments, there are a good number of djembes, a large set of steel pans, a good-sized Samba kit and an authentic Balinese gong.
Curriculum
Music is studied as a discrete subject by all pupils in years 7, 8 and 9. The curriculum is essentially practical, aiming to extend the experience of all pupils in the central activities outlined in the National Curriculum and to help pupils sing and play their way into an understanding of key musical concepts. Pupils are taught in mixed ability groups throughout KS3 with class sizes of between 30 and 32 students. Every pupil receives a one-hour lesson each week.
Music is a popular option at KS4. The broad scope of the OCR syllabus encourages pupils with a wide variety of musical interests and strengths to continue their study of the subject and around 40 pupils are currently working towards this examination. Results have been consistently high in recent years with a high percentage of pupils gaining grades 8 and 9. Each year a pleasing number choose to pursue the subject further when they move on to Sixth Form College or higher education.
Instrument lessons
The Department benefits from the services of an excellent team of 14 visiting teachers, some of whom come to us from Cambridgeshire Music. Around 200 pupils are receiving tuition in school this year on a wide range of instruments. Singers and instrumentalists are prepared for Associated Board, Trinity Guildhall and Rock School examinations where appropriate. We typically run two private examinations visits a year for ABRSM exams.
Enrichment and Performance
Music is highly valued within the wider life of the school, with a vibrant programme of extracurricular activities. These include a wide range of ensembles such as choirs, concert bands, jazz band, samba group, string orchestra, steel pan bands and various chamber groups. Opportunities are open to all students, with some groups by audition.
Students regularly perform in concerts and events both within school and at prestigious external venues. Highlights include performances at Great St Mary’s Church, Saffron Hall, Ely Cathedral and Cambridge colleges. The department has strong links with leading musical organisations and has collaborated on major projects, including performances with the Cambridge University Choral Society and King’s College Choir.Sawston Village College is proud of its inclusive and ambitious music programme, offering students exceptional opportunities to develop their skills, creativity and confidence through music.
Commitment to safeguarding
Anglian Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff to share this commitment and those in regulated activity will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Check and online checks. Certificate of Good Conduct and other applicable checks may be requested.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Our policies for Ex-Offenders, GDPR, Safeguarding and Recruitment can be found on our website: www.anglianlearning.org.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Sawston Village College
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1194 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Sawston Village College website
- Email address
- hrhub2@anglianlearning.org
- Phone number
- 01223712 777
Thank you very much for your interest in a position at Sawston Village College. We hope the information in this pack will encourage you to apply.
Sawston Village College is a highly successful and welcoming 11–16 academy where pupils are treated with respect and held in positive regard. Named the State 11–16 Secondary School of the Year in The Sunday Times Parent Power list (The Sunday Times, 8 December 2024), we have high expectations and standards and are ambitious for our learners. We work collaboratively to provide an inclusive, safe and calm learning environment in which all pupils can thrive. We have an inspiring and evolving campus with a brand new building opening in 2027.
Our focus is the achievement and wellbeing of our 1,198 pupils within a culture based on community, ambition, respect and endeavour. In 2025, the College achieved outcomes above national averages, including 61% gaining grade 5+ in English and Maths, 37% at grade 7 or above across all subjects and a high Attainment 8 score, enabling pupils to progress successfully to their preferred post-16 pathways.
This success is based on a firm belief that all pupils, whatever their background or ability, deserve to succeed. We are determined to recruit, develop and retain excellent staff through high-quality professional development and a caring, supportive culture. As noted by our Ofsted report in May 2023, Sawston Village College is a highly professional and friendly, caring and enjoyable place in which to work and teach.
Thank you, in anticipation, for the time you will give to your application.
Mr Jonathan Russell
Principal
Arranging a visit to Sawston Village College
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hrhub2@anglianlearning.org.
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