Teacher of Music- August 2025 start

Reports to: Director of Music

Responsibilities: Teaching Music to Years 7 to 13, providing opportunities for music outside of lessons and making a significant contribution to the extra-curricular music programme. Taking on the role of a form tutor in BST’s vertical pastoral system.

The Music Department

The Music Department has three full time teachers, supported by a team of 14 visiting instrumental teachers, in their own dedicated department area which has been recently refurbished. The KS3 curriculum develops students’ performing, composing and listening skills, preparing students for KS4 study where we offer CIE IGCSE. At KS5 we currently teach the Edexcel A Level specification, however, in 2025 BST will begin the transition to IBDP for Years 12 and 13.

The Music Department has a particularly strong extra-curricular offering, with a range of choirs, orchestras, chamber music, jazz and pop bands with regular performance opportunities throughout the year. The annual school musical is a highlight of the calendar, where we work closely with the Drama Department. Recent shows include High School Musical, The Addams Family, and Little Shop of Horrors.

Results in external examinations are highly impressive and students in recent years have gone on to study at high profile music colleges and universities in the UK and around the world. In addition to this, we have excellent performance spaces on the Showa campus including the 650 seater Green Hall and the 2,000 seater Hitomi Hall for our whole school concerts.

The role would suit an enthusiastic Music teacher with excellent subject knowledge and a passion for the subject, who can apply effective research-informed pedagogical strategies. Candidates should have experience with mixed ability classes, providing challenge for students of a wide range of abilities.

We require a supportive colleague who is collaborative and reflective in their approach and willing to go the extra mile. A strong commitment to extra-curricular music performances and rehearsals before and after school is a significant expectation of this position, along with occasional weekend events. 

We are welcoming applications from candidates who specialise in any instrument, however, due to the current dynamics of the department it would be desirable for the ideal candidate to have a strings or brass specialism. 

Key Areas of Responsibility

• In liaison with, and under guidance from the Director of Music, plan and teach lessons and units of work at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.
• Be an exemplary teacher, clearly demonstrating effective planning, teaching organisation, and demanding high standards of attainment and behaviour in all lessons
• Use evidence-informed strategies to plan and deliver lessons that promote progress and challenge for all students
• Guide students to reflect on the progress they have made and their emerging needs
• Give students regular feedback, both orally and through accurate marking, and encourage students to respond to the feedback.
• Use relevant data to monitor progress, set targets, and plan subsequent lessons
• Monitor individual student achievement and respond accordingly
• Have a secure knowledge of the relevant subject and curriculum areas, foster and maintain students’ interest in the subject, and address misunderstandings
• Have high expectations of behaviour, and establish a framework for adhering to the schools code of conduct
• Contribute to the relevant sections of the school’s evaluation and improvement documentation
• Attend and participate in regular meetings
• Take responsibility for improving teaching through appropriate professional development, responding to advice and feedback from colleagues

Other roles

• A strong commitment to coordinating and contributing to evening and/or weekend music events organised by the Music and Drama departments.
• Deliver assigned Wednesday afternoon Explore sessions, Duke of Edinburgh or Life Skills
• Complete duties around the school in accordance with the weekly Duty Rota
• Attend, and take an active part in, residential curriculum trips as part of the BST Outdoors programme
• Be a Tutor as part of our House system.
• Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school
• Communicate effectively with parents with regard to students’ achievements and well-being.
• Treat students with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect
• Have regard for the need to safeguard students’ well-being, in accordance with the schools provision
• Other reasonable requests made by the Head of the Secondary School and Senior Leadership Team.

How to Apply

Please see the full job description, and apply via our website directly via the following link: Teacher of Music.

Closing date for applications: February 23rd 2025

The British School in Tokyo welcomes applications from suitably skilled applicants from all backgrounds.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check or International Child Protection Check, and provision of satisfactory background checks for at least the past 5 years.

Further information about the school is available on the School’s website www.bst.ac.jp 

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