Head of Music + TLR 2b (£5990)

The Kingston Academy, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 5PE

24 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 2027

• Closing date

  8 June 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  15 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: Music
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £38,247.00 - £56,715.00 Annually (FTE) MPS/UPS + TLR 2b (£5990). An R&R will be considered for the right candidate.

Head of Music + TLR 2b (£5990) job summary

The Kingston Academy is seeking a dedicated, enthusiastic and highly skilled Head of Music. The successful candidate will be committed to providing the highest quality educational experience for students and will drive excellence in teaching, learning and leadership within the subject area.

The Kingston Academy is a high-performing and inclusive secondary school founded in 2015. Today, we educate over 1,400 pupils from Year 7 through to Sixth Form and are proud to serve our diverse and vibrant community.

Our Head of Music will provide strategic leadership across a vibrant and ambitious 11-18 music curriculum, ensuring that all students experience music as a rigorous, creative and enriching discipline. The role will focus on developing a curriculum that combines outstanding musical scholarship with creativity, performance and cultural understanding.

The successful candidate will lead the continued development of a broad and inclusive curriculum at Key Stage 3, alongside strong GCSE, BTEC and Post-16 pathways, ensuring students develop confidence in performing, composing and listening, with opportunities to pursue both academic and vocational pathways. Drawing on the principles of the National Plan for Music Education and the Model Music Curriculum, they will champion a curriculum that values practical music-making, musical literacy and diverse musical traditions, while fostering curiosity, collaboration and independent thinking.

Central to the role is a commitment to high-quality teaching and meaningful musical experiences both within and beyond the classroom. The successful post-holder will further enhance opportunities for ensemble performance, concerts, productions and partnerships with the wider community. The successful candidate will inspire a culture in which music is highly visible within the life of the school and where students from all backgrounds are encouraged to develop their talents, perform with confidence and appreciate the power of music to connect communities and enrich lives.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape music as a dynamic and high-profile area within the Academy, ensuring every student can experience both the joy and discipline of musical achievement.

In 2025, we were recognised as one of the Top 10 non-selective state schools in the UK based on GCSE outcomes, reflecting our strong culture of aspiration, exceptional teaching and commitment to every child’s success. The school was also named among the Top 50 happiest schools in the UK in Ofsted’s official wellbeing survey a testament to the positive relationships, high standards of behaviour and supportive environment that underpin our ethos.

We are proudly inclusive, with a specialist resource provision (SRP) for pupils whose primary need is Autism Spectrum Condition, ensuring that all young people are able to learn, thrive and belong.

Our commitment extends not only to pupils but also to the people who work with them every day. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing an expert workforce through high-quality talent development, ensuring that our staff are skilled, motivated and well supported. By investing in professional learning, coaching, wellbeing and leadership pathways, we ensure that our staff can flourish and that our students benefit from consistently excellent teaching.

We invite applications from candidates with the following attributes:

• Passionate about Music and skilled in teaching the subject at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, with a commitment to shaping and delivering a coherent, engaging and high-quality curriculum;
• A willingness to develop and enhance teaching and learning resources, alongside professional development opportunities to support excellent classroom practice;
• Strong knowledge of current developments within Music education, including curriculum innovation, musical technology and contemporary teaching approaches;
• A strong classroom practitioner who models excellent practice and supports colleagues in refining and developing their teaching;
• A proven track record of securing strong outcomes at GCSE, BTEC and Post-16 level in Music;
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire both staff and students;
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively;
• Flexible and committed to contributing to the wider life of the school through concerts, productions, enrichment and extracurricular opportunities.

More details on the person specification are provided in the Job Pack

There are many benefits to working at The Kingston Academy including:

• Generous pay-scales, regularly paying 1% higher than National Teacher Pay Scales
• 2-week October Half Term break
• Access to subsidised Cycle to Work scheme
• Weekly Professional Development sessions at whole-school and departmental level
• Professional support sessions for ECTs
• Staff Laptop or Chromebook
• Support with access to NPQH/NPQML/NPQSL qualifications
• Subsidised study at Kingston University at Masters and Doctorate Level
• Flexible working arrangements may be considered on request
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme, subsidised eye test and flu vaccinations
• Work in a vibrant, supportive school environment where staff wellbeing is prioritised

Interview Procedure

Our selection procedure will aim to identify with rigour whether the candidate fulfils the requirements of the post and will include the consideration of the candidate’s suitability to work with children and young people. The process will include:

• Teaching an observed lesson with a selected class group;
• Meeting with a panel of our pupils for informal question and answer session;
• Presentation and Interview with Head Teacher, Associate Headteacher and Senior colleagues.

Early applications are welcome, and we reserve the right to appoint before the closing date if we find a suitable candidate.

Closing Date: 9.00 am, Monday 8th June 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

For further information about this post please email hr@kingstoneducationaltrust.org.

Equal Opportunities

At Kingston Educational Trust, we believe that diversity enriches our school community and enhances the educational experience for all. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and talents of our staff and students. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for everyone. Join us in fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Statement

The Kingston Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks (with a barred list check for regulated activity), checks with past employers and eligibility to work in the UK. Identity and qualification documents will be checked prior to any offer being made.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Kingston Academy

• School type: Free Schools, ages 11 to 19
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1178 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Kingston Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-kingston-academy

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