Art Teacher

About The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and inspiring Art teacher to deliver high-quality lessons for our pupils. A commitment to safeguarding and working within the school's warm, supportive ethos is essential. Help shape the future of exceptional young musicians.

Salary

Starting salary is in accordance with the Westminster Abbey Choir School Scale. The scale takes into account the requirements of working in central London and the extra "non-academic" duties undertaken as a member of the Choir School staff. New members of staff enter the scale at the point appropriate to their teaching qualifications and experience.

Pension

The school participates in the Teachers' Pension Scheme provided by the Department for Education. Staff who are not eligible to join this scheme may join the Group Personal Pension plan.

Appointment, Induction and Probation

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of their identity and right to work in the UK when attending for interview.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory health clearance, and those appointed will be required to provide documentary evidence of all qualifications claimed.

All appointments will be subject to satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS and a minimum of two references satisfactory to the Choir School. Applicants should note that the school's policy is always to contact referees for verification of references and, in addition, follows best practice to ascertain the reasons for the termination of any previous employment in all cases where a candidate has worked with children.

All new teachers will have the benefit of guidance by an experienced mentor whose role will be to help them through the first months of their employment. The school believes in, supports and resources an extensive system of professional development and training.

Further information about the role is available in the candidate application Pack.

About The Department

Westminster Abbey Choir School is a remarkable school. It exists to educate and care for around 30 boy choristers of Westminster Abbey. Unique amongst choir schools, Westminster Abbey Choir School admits only singing boys, who are boarders in the relative peace and calm of Dean's Yard in the centre of London. It is thus a small, tightly knit community, with a strong sense of shared purpose both among pupils and between pupils and teachers. The school has a warm, cooperative atmosphere in which flexibility and teamwork are key to the smooth running of the boys' busy timetable.

Boys are selected by audition and academic test at the age of seven to start at the school in Year 4. At age 13 they normally move on to one of a wide range of leading schools, to which the great majority win music scholarships.

In addition to providing outstanding musical training, Westminster Abbey Choir School also maintains a full academic curriculum leading to the Common Entrance Examination at 13+, and in some cases to academic scholarships to senior schools. High standards are expected of both pupils and teachers. This inevitably makes for a busy weekly schedule in which academic and musical commitments have to be balanced.

The school is generously staffed with eight full time and three part time academic staff, six full time and three part time support staff and over 15 peripatetic music staff. As a department of Westminster Abbey, the school forms part of the Abbey's overall administrative structure drawing on its maintenance, finance, IT and human resources departments.

In a school of this size, staff get to know each boy very well indeed and around ten of the staff live on the premises. Central to the school's ethos is an informal, supportive atmosphere in which all of its members - pupils and staff - treat one another with consideration and respect. Indeed, this culture is common to the whole community of Westminster Abbey.

The close relationship with Westminster Abbey brings a special dimension to the school. The boys sing in the Abbey almost every day of the week and develop a special affinity and love for this church, which is both an ancient place of Christian worship and a high-profile national symbol. They are regularly called upon to sing at special occasions such as the state funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of HM King Charles III. They also give public concerts both here and abroad, and make recordings. Their touring schedule is also recommencing during the academic year with our first tour taking place to America in April 2026.

Outside the normal run of singing and academic lessons, there is a busy programme of extra-curricular activities. In addition to the usual array of sports, boys may be found in a range of pastimes, from dungeons and dragons and climbing to Lego and chess. A special feature of the school year are the periods leading up to Christmas and Easter when the choristers are required to sing in Westminster Abbey. The boys eagerly look forward to these periods and the school continues with a programme of seasonal events.

The school is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Details of the safeguarding policy can be found on the Choir School website: Policies Westminster Abbey Choir School

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.