The Grange School has been one of the great success stories

of independent education over the past forty years. The school

was founded in 1933 as a Kindergarten and Preparatory
School. In 1977, the Governors took the major step of
developing secondary education and since 1978 the school
has grown steadily and developed an outstanding academic
reputation. Today, The Grange has a total enrolment of 1170
students with 430 in the Junior School (4-11 years) and 740 in the Senior School including 157 in a
thriving Sixth Form. It is consistently the best performing school in Cheshire and undoubtedly among
the very best independent co-educational day schools in the country.

Our academic results speak for themselves, as we are consistently placed uppermost in the national
independent school tables. In 2019, 44% of GCSE candidates achieved 8-9 while at A Level 64%
gained A*/A with over 80% getting into their first-choice university.

More importantly we are a very happy school. The relationship between staff and students is
exceptional; although very busy and, at times, pressurised, it is a pleasure to work and study in such
a friendly environment. Expectations of teachers and pupils are high, but this serves both to stimulate
achievement and provide reward.

We understand our chief purpose to be to help produce young people who truly flourish and find
fulfilment as adults. We try to do this by helping them to identify and develop their unique combination
of strengths, talents and passions, and to challenge them to find a purpose for their lives which such
attributes can serve.

The Grange is situated in Hartford, a thriving

village in its own right but also, in effect, an
extension of the town of Northwich. Part of
the Vale Royal of Cheshire, equidistant from
Manchester and Liverpool, with Chester only
15 miles away. It is a delightful area to
live in; nowhere is more than a few minutes
from lovely countryside; hills, coast, even
mountains, are within easy reach. Nearby
cities provide terrific opportunities that
supplement the cultural, sporting and
commercial life of the area. There is a good
variety of housing available to suit all tastes
and budgets; both staff and students travel to
the school from a wide area and a variety
of both urban and rural locations. In short,
the standard of living in the area is
attractive and sought after.
In most dictionaries the word curriculum is usually defined in terms of ‘the courses of study offered
by a school or college’. At The Grange our definition is much closer to the context in which the word
–whose original Latin meaning is ‘race track’ or ‘lap’- was originally understood in education in the
early twentieth century: the ‘course’ represented by all those experiences through which children
become successful adults in society.

Consequently, we understand that everything we do in school from which our young people learn about
the world and themselves is a part of our curriculum.

They learn from their studies, their involvement in activities outside the classroom, their relationships
with their peers and their teachers, their successes and (often more helpfully) their mistakes.

Thus, we define our curriculum in an all-embracing and holistic way. We structure it to include our
Academic Programme, our Enrichment Programme and our Personal Development Programme.

At The Grange School we value particularly an approach to our community from all who work and
learn here which is:

 Caring and respectful, embracing differences and sensitive to the needs of all.

 Straightforward, demonstrating integrity in all that we do.

 Wholehearted, showing commitment in all areas of school life

 Ambitious, aspiring to be the best that we can be.

 Adventurous, seizing opportunities and becoming resilient through challenge.

 Supportive, celebrating talent and creativity to build character and confidence.

 The Role: The role is for a self-employed Peripatetic Music Teacher (Keyboard & Piano)

The direct contact for the post holder will be the Director of Music

Qualifications: Diploma or equivalent in Keyboard or Piano. A recognised teaching

qualification would be welcome but not essential.
Rates of pay: Charges to parents are made directly by the music teacher, however they
should be in line with the rates as guided by the School.

This job description should be seen as enabling rather than restrictive and will be subject to regular review.

The Opportunity
The Grange School is seeking to engage an enthusiastic and
experienced teacher of keyboard and piano, to teach children
from both our Junior and Senior schools, on a peripatetic basis
to commence in September 2020. The successful candidate will
offer a proven track record of leading pupils to achieve
outstanding results, in terms of both general progress and formal
grade exam results, through consistently excellent and engaging
teaching.
The position would suit a musician with a contemporary or
popular music specialism.
Strong applicants for the post may possess the ability to teach a
second instrument or voice, beyond keyboard and piano, as well
as experience of leading pupils to success in exams from the
Trinity and other exam boards beyond ABRSM.
Other desirable skills sought in the ideal candidate include
knowledge and experience of programming, and/or outstanding
piano accompaniment skills. Enthusiasm for expanding the extra-curricular music programme at
both the Senior and Junior schools, such as in the area of contemporary song-writing, would be
welcomed.
The position initially comprises one to 1½ days’ teaching per week, spread across our two sites.
There is scope within the role for building on pupil uptake of keyboard lessons and/or interest in
popular music, which could lead to a potential expansion in the total teaching hours available. The
ideal candidate will be able to evidence substantial success in retaining students through to the
highest grades.
The position is on a peripatetic, self-employed basis. Teachers charge a standard rate, in keeping
with the whole-school agreed charge per hour, issue their own terms and conditions, and invoice
parents directly.
The role will include fulfilling annual reporting duties and timetabling in accordance with school
procedures, supporting extra-curricular music through attending performances and events
throughout the year, as well as maintaining regular and clear communication with parents.

Teaching & Learning

 To promote a love of music-making for every pupil, setting suitable expectations and
developing all-round musicianship through instrumental teaching.
 To manage pupil learning through effective teaching and to prepare pupils for the practical and
theory examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and/or other
relevant examining boards, where appropriate.
 To prepare pupils for other performance opportunities as required, such as Evening and
Lunchtime Concerts, school, GCSE and A level examination performances.
 To ensure continuity, progression and cohesiveness in all teaching.
 To use a variety of methods and approaches to match curricular objectives and the range of
pupil needs, and ensure equal opportunity for all pupils; in particular, to be aware of the
requirements of pupils on the SEN register, details of which should be obtained from the
Director of Music.
 To set practice targets regularly; to consolidate and extend learning and to encourage pupils
to take responsibility for their own learning.
 To work effectively as a member of the Department to improve the quality of teaching and
learning.
 To set high expectations for all pupils, to deepen their knowledge and understanding and to
maximise their achievement.
 To use positive management of behaviour in an environment of mutual respect which allows
pupils to feel safe and secure and promotes their self-esteem.
 To inform the school of any absences in line with the procedure as outlined in the Peripatetic
agreement, and to make appropriate arrangements with parents to catch up on lessons missed
wherever possible.

Monitoring & Accountability

 Peripatetic teachers are self-employed and are

responsible for the following areas which involve
contact with the parents:
o contacting the parents of prospective pupils as
requested by the Director of Music;
o drawing up a form of agreement between
themselves and the parents concerning billing for
lessons and music and requiring half a term’s
notice of termination of lessons;
o obtaining payment from the parents for any ABRSM examination entry fees;
o communicating directly with parents regarding times of lessons and any changes to the
regular routine;
o writing an annual report and attending a parents’ evening, as requested by the Director
of Music, in accordance with the Peripatetic agreement.

 The Director of Music will assist the Peripatetic member of staff to a reasonable
degree with matters of financial grievance.
 Subject Knowledge & Understanding

 To keep up to date with research and developments in pedagogy in the area of

the instrument(s) taught.

Professional Standards & Development

 To be a role model to pupils through personal presentation and professional

conduct.
 To arrive at or before the start of the lesson and to begin and end lessons on time.
 To co-operate with the school in all matters concerning Health and Safety and
specifically to take reasonable care of their own Health and Safety and that of any
other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
 To be familiar with the School and Department handbooks and to support all the
school’s policies.
 To establish effective working relationships with professional colleagues and
associate staff.
 To attend INSET meetings or training as required by the Director of Music.
 To maintain a working knowledge and understanding of teachers’ professional
duties as set out in the staff handbook, especially with regard to Child Protection
policies.
 To liaise effectively with parents and other agencies with responsibility for pupil’s
education and welfare.
 To undertake any reasonable task as directed by the Head of Department.
 To be aware of the role of the Governing Body of the school and to support it in
the performance of its duties.
 To consider the needs of all pupils within lessons, especially those who have SEN
or who are gifted and talented.
 To carry out pastoral responsibilities (as detailed in the staff handbook) when
required.

This job description will be reviewed annually and may be subject to amendment or modification at
any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures
and tasks but sets out the main expectations of the school in relation to the post holder’s
professional responsibilities and duties.
Key E = Essential, D = Desirable
Education & Experience:

Diploma or equivalent in Keyboard or Piano E

Degree at university or conservatoire level D
Experience of teaching a full range of ages and abilities E
Teaching qualification D
Significant professional performing experience E
Experience of preparing pupils for graded exams E
Knowledge & Skills:

Knowledge of diverse and interesting repertoire that will engage a full E

range of young musicians
Knowledge of relevant exam syllabuses and processes (including E
ABRSM, Trinity, LCM)
Skilled in a wide range of musical genres, possibly with a contemporary, E
popular or jazz specialism
At least a working knowledge of keyboard programming (e.g. Main D
Stage)
Links to the performing profession D
Outstanding accompaniment skills D
Personal & Professional Qualities:

A willingness to engage in the full life of the Junior and Senior music D
departments, possibly through additional extra-curricular work (e.g.
song writing)
Able to communicate effectively and efficiently with students, parents E
and colleagues
Be willing to work with flexibility as part of a large team of peripatetic E
tutors
Able to build strong and effective relationships with all pupils, regardless E
of ability or personal circumstances
Reliable, organised, open-minded and a good sense of humour E
To apply for the role of Peripatetic Music Teacher (Keyboard & Piano) please write a letter of
application to support a fully completed application form and names of two referees to:

The Head
The Grange School
Bradburns Lane
Hartford
Cheshire
CW8 1LU

Please mark the envelope ‘FAO: Mrs Lynn Geary’ in the top left hand corner. Applications are also
accepted via e-mail to recruitment@grange.org.uk

Closing date for applications is 4pm on Monday 31st August 2020. Interviews will be held week
commencing 7th September 2020.

The Grange School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young
people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate
will be subject to a DBS check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of offenders Act 1974.
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