Music Teacher - Early Years

Habs has been awarded Independent School of the Year 2025, with Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools receiving both the award for Outstanding Educational Partnerships and the overall top accolade of Independent School of the Year 2025. This recognition reflects our long‑term commitment to social impact and the deep, sustained collaborations we continue to build with our state sector partners. It is an exciting time to join our community.

Are you a passionate and creative musician who believes in the power of music to shape young minds? Haberdashers’ Elstree is looking for an inspiring Early Years Music Specialist to join our thriving Music Department. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with our youngest pupils—from Nursery to Year 2—helping them discover the joy of music and building the foundations for a lifelong musical journey. At Habs, music is vibrant, ambitious, and central to school life. We are seeking someone who can bring energy, imagination, and warmth to every lesson, using a practical, play‑based approach to develop confidence, creativity, and core musical skills. Your work will lay the groundwork for pupils as they move into our instrumental programme from Year 3 and beyond. You will join a supportive and forward‑thinking team, working collaboratively with colleagues across the Junior School to create a rich and engaging musical experience for every child.

What you’ll be doing:

• Delivering engaging, high-quality music lessons for pupils in Nursery to Year 2
• Using a practical and interactive approach to develop rhythm, pitch, singing, and movement
• Nurturing confidence, curiosity, and a love of music in every child
• Supporting early musical development and preparing pupils for future instrumental learning
• Contributing to assemblies, performances, and musical moments across the Junior School
• Collaborating with colleagues to ensure a cohesive and enriching curriculum
• Supporting music teaching in Key Stage 2 where required
• Playing an active role in concerts and wider school musical events

What we’re looking for:

• A strong musician with a passion for early years education
• Experience of teaching Early Years and/or Key Stage 1
• A warm, engaging, and creative approach to teaching young children
• Confidence in leading singing and practical music‑making
• A commitment to nurturing every child’s potential
• Experience of Kodály, Dalcroze, Orff, or similar approaches would be highly valued

Habs is a community where talent is nurtured from the very earliest stages. Our Music Department offers a rich and varied programme, and this role provides a unique opportunity to shape the musical foundations of our pupils at the very start of their journey. You will be part of a collaborative and ambitious environment, with the freedom to bring your ideas to life and make a genuine impact every day.

What we offer:

• We offer a competitive salary, commensurate with the candidate’s experience
• Approximately 17 weeks holiday per year.
• Private Pension Scheme through Aegon with four flexible options and generous employer contributions.
• Additional life insurance cover and income protection.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), providing confidential support and advice.
• Financial assistance for further qualifications.
• Extensive professional development and training opportunities.
• Free lunch and refreshments.
• Free onsite parking and access to travel on the school’s extensive coach network.
• Complimentary access to state‑of‑the‑art sports facilities, including gym, swimming pool, and fitness classes.
• Wellbeing initiatives such as yoga, mindfulness sessions, and health checks.
• Access to an online GP service for quick and convenient healthcare advice.
• Access to Vivup, our staff benefits platform offering discounts, financial advice, and wellbeing resources.

Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy sooner, please apply as soon as possible. Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.