Our Lady's Abingdon

Visiting Teacher of Cello (From September 2025)

Overview

We seek a well-qualified, enthusiastic Cello teacher to add to this key department in a visiting capacity from September 2025.  The successful candidate will be able to teach students from beginner to post-grade-8 standard.  The ability to teach other string instruments may also be advantageous.  Initially, we require someone to teach for approximately 1-2 hours per week, but opportunities will be available to recruit new pupils to lessons.  Visiting Music Teachers are self-employed and invoice parents for tuition fees.  

The Music Faculty

OLA has a busy, friendly Music Department which is staffed by the Director of Music plus twelve visiting music teachers.  We offer lessons on all major orchestral instruments, piano, organ, guitar, percussion/drum kit and singing.  As our Lower School is based on the same site, the successful candidate may be required to teach Lower School pupils as well as Seniors.  

The department has one main teaching room, a Music ICT room containing a suite of iMac computers running a range of Music software, and three practice rooms in which instrumental lessons normally take place.  The school hosts ABRSM exams two or three times per year depending on demand.  We offer Music Scholarships to particularly accomplished instrumentalists (or singers), which entitle them to free instrumental lessons.  Instrumental teachers teach these pupils as normal, but invoice the school for the lessons, rather than the parents.  

There are many opportunities for public performance, both in major whole-school concerts, and in smaller, informal performances.  Musical events are well supported; the department normally runs a Music Tour on alternate years and puts on a major school Musical in the intervening years.  The programme of instrumental ensembles on offer varies from time to time, depending on pupils’ interests and abilities, but over the past few years the school has (at different times) had an orchestra, silver band, soul band, and clarinet ensemble, flute ensemble and jazz group. 

Benefits

 

  • Lunch is provided at no cost during term time, with tea and coffee available throughout the day.  
  • Free on-site parking.

Location

The school is located in Abingdon-on-Thames, an historic market town situated eight miles to the south of Oxford with its world-renowned reputation as a centre of academic excellence. The town supports a mixed, international community which enjoys a good selection of restaurants, cafes and bars situated a just few minutes’ walk away from the river and gardens of Abbey Meadows. The town benefits from excellent bus links to Oxford, which is just a 15-minute ride away and provides a wealth of social and cultural opportunities.

Supporting documents

Deadline and how to apply

  • Application deadline: Monday 2nd of June at 9am. Early applications are encouraged and the School reserves the right to interview suitable candidates prior to the deadline. 
  • Or email a completed application form to our HR Manager at hr@ola.org.uk. Please ensure that your application form is completed in full with no gaps in your education/employment history. Incomplete applications may be discounted. 
  • Applicants will be required to prove their right to work in the UK at interview. The School cannot offer sponsorship to candidates who do not already have the right to work in the UK.

Safeguarding

Our Lady’s Abingdon is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young adults and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. 

Successful candidates are required to undertake various safeguarding checks which include an Enhanced DBS and social media check.

Full details are available on the school website.

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