Head of Woodwind

Required for: April 2026 or June 2026
Location: Dean's Yard - Westminster School
Contract: part-time (term‑time only), permanent. Approximately 7 hours per week required.
Salary: £50.41 per hour

The Final date to receive applications is midday on Tuesday 3rd March 2026. Interviews will take place in‑person on Friday 13th March 2026.

We are seeking to appoint a Head of Woodwind to oversee the development of all wind players in the School.

The successful applicant will be an outstanding musician and educator, and an inspirational communicator with a willingness to be part of a friendly and supportive team. They will be adaptable in their approach, with the ability to work across a variety of musical styles, both with those pupils who are exceptionally talented and with those who are less advanced.

The Head of Woodwind will have the opportunity, where possible, to coach and direct both chamber groups and larger ensembles whilst overseeing the administration of the Woodwind Department.

They should provide pupils with the opportunity to play in ensembles at an early stage in their development and take a leading role in encouraging meaningful progress throughout a pupil’s time at the School. This should apply in equal measure both to those pupils who are exceptionally talented and to those who are less advanced.
This is a part‑time position, and hours may vary from term to term.

Responsibilities

• Continued development of woodwind playing within the School (regardless of whether pupils learn in school or externally)
• Identifying further ways to encourage the next generation of woodwind players to apply to the School
• Working with the local community e.g. organising opportunities for woodwind players to perform at local primary schools or at local venues such as The Guards’ Chapel
• Monitoring the progress all woodwind pupils within the School
• Communicating with woodwind pupils in person and electronically via email, intranet, MS Teams etc.
• Allocating woodwind pupils to woodwind teachers
• Assisting the Director of Music in the appointment of new woodwind teachers
• Communicating with woodwind teachers and full‑time members of the Music Department
• Liaising with woodwind teachers with regard to pupils’ practice routines, departmental pedagogy, performance opportunities etc.
• Checking all woodwind teacher instrumental reports (twice a year) and adding Head of Section comments where appropriate
• Communicating with woodwind teachers regarding pupils’ specific orchestral repertoire practice
• Overseeing the progress of all woodwind ensembles
• Allocation of woodwind pupils to ensembles
• Planning and sourcing repertoire for woodwind ensembles
• Direction of larger woodwind ensembles
• Coaching of chamber music
• Weekly attendance and participation in symphony orchestra rehearsals
• Sectional coaching of the symphony orchestra
• Marking‑up of orchestral parts (e.g. transpositions, breathing, editing etc.) as agreed in advance with the Director of Music
• Preparation / reproduction of practice parts
• Preparation of orchestral / ensemble folders to allow for use in instrumental lessons
• Booking extra woodwind players for rehearsals / concerts / performances in conjunction with the Director of Music
• Overseeing the maintenance of school woodwind instruments and updating the woodwind inventory once a term
• Submitting annual woodwind inventory with termly checks
• Assisting with the maintenance of woodwind‑related orchestral and chamber music libraries
• Contributing to a weekly departmental meeting, attended by all Heads of Section
• Organising and administrating an annual Woodwind Masterclass
• Good working knowledge of the Music Database on school intranet
• To sit on the panel for the annual 13+ and 16+ Music Award audition

The Head of Woodwind is required, for extra remuneration, to attend additional rehearsals and concerts as agreed with the Director of Music in advance.

Where applicable, the Head of Woodwind may also teach pupils as a self‑employed member of the visiting music staff (VMT).

Hours of Work

The Head of Woodwind will be employed for approximately 7 hours per week, term time only. This includes:

• One hour for the weekly departmental meeting (Wednesday, 11:00)
• Symphony…