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PPA Cover / Arts / Music Specialist

Bolshaw Primary School, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 3LW

11 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1.9.2026 Autumn term

• Closing date

  13 July 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  2 July 2026

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Job details

• Job role:
  • HLTA (higher level teaching assistant)
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time: 1 day / 7 hours - flexible morning / afternoon
• Contract type: Fixed term - 1 year
• Full-time equivalent salary: £28,598 Scale 12 (pay award pending)

What skills and experience we're looking for

PPA Cover / Music/Arts Specialist

Essential Skills & Core Competencies

• Creative Curriculum Delivery: Ability to confidently plan, adapt, and deliver high-quality, engaging curricular Music and Art lessons across EYFS, KS1, and KS2 during teachers' PPA time.
• Musical Proficiency: Ability to lead singing, introduce basic music theory (rhythm, pitch, notation), and ideally play an instrument (e.g., piano, guitar) to accompany school assemblies and performances.
• Classroom Management: Outstanding classroom management skills, with the ability to maintain a structured, safe, and productive environment while delivering practical art lessons and whole school music lessons
• Nurturing Creativity: A proven ability to foster a culture of creative risk-taking, encouraging children of all abilities to express themselves through various artistic mediums and musical forms.
• Adaptability & Inclusion: Skill in adapting creative tasks so that the arts remain fully accessible to pupils with SEND, EAL
• Assessment & Feedback: Strong skills in tracking pupil progress in creative subjects and providing clear feedback to class teachers regarding pupil engagement and skill development.
• Collaborative Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills to liaise with class teachers, senior leadership and external creative practitioners

Experience

• Primary School Cover: Proven experience working as a HLTA or Arts/ Music Specialist within a primary school setting, with a track record of successfully leading whole classes independently.
• Arts & Music Provision: Demonstrable experience leading children’s choirs, musical ensembles, or coordinating art and design projects within a school or community setting.
• Production & Event Management: Experience organising, rehearsing, and directing school performances, nativity plays, end-of-year shows or art exhibitions.
• Enrichment Initiatives: Experience developing the school’s wider cultural profile, such as establishing lunchtime/after-school arts and crafts clubs, music clubs or drama groups.
• Resource Management: Experience managing, organising and maintaining music instruments and art supplies safely and efficiently.

Qualifications & Training

• HLTA Status: Meet the Higher Level Teaching Assistant standards (or hold an equivalent/higher qualification, such as a Degree in Fine Art, Music, Performing Arts, or QTS).
• Specialist Creative Qualifications: Grade 5 or above in a musical instrument/theory, or a relevant qualification/portfolio demonstrating proficiency in the Visual Arts, Design, or Drama.
• Core Literacy/Numeracy: GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
• Safeguarding: A thorough, up-to-date understanding of safeguarding policies and child protection procedures within a primary school environment.

Desirable Attributes

• Knowledge of the National Curriculum requirements for Art, Design and Technology and Music Curriculum
• Experience in applying for or maintaining creative accreditations for schools (such as Artsmark).
• Connections with local theatres, galleries or music hubs to bring external cultural experiences into the school.

What the school offers its staff

We will offer you:

• A dedicated, supportive and enthusiastic team of staff and Governors.
• A values-based school where children’s wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do.
• A commitment to your professional development.
• A culture that embraces new approaches and promotes creative thinking.

• Amazing children who are excited about learning
• An opportunity to be part of a dynamic school committed to our children
• A friendly, supportive and positive working environment

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

Please complete the online application.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Bolshaw Primary School

• School type: Academy, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: Up to 210 pupils
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Bolshaw Primary School website
• Email address: jobs@bolshaw.stockport.sch.uk
• Phone number: 01614376886
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/bolshaw-primary-school-cheadle

Bolshaw Primary School, Cross Road, Heald Green, Stockport SK8 3LW


We are a popular, nurturing and inclusive school, where children are happy and have a desire to learn. The staff are dedicated and put the children at the heart of everything they do. We are all determined that our pupils will thrive, be happy and successful. We share a clear vision for improving our children’s life chances through providing equality of opportunity, an engaging and purposeful curriculum and high-quality teaching and learning. Our aim is to engage our pupils with a rich learning environment, allowing them to grow and become ‘successful learners,’ ‘confident individuals,’ ‘responsible citizens,’ and ‘effective contributors.’ 

‘The very caring and calm ethos that is at the heart of Bolshaw Primary School’

‘Pupils flourish and staff feel proud to work at the school’

‘This is a truly inclusive school where all pupils are valued as individuals’

Ofsted

Arranging a visit to Bolshaw Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email jobs@bolshaw.stockport.sch.uk.

School location

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