Music Teacher - Upper Strings (reference: SCC/TP/288362/4930) in Surrey

Salary: £29.86 per hour (inclusive of Holiday Pay)

Category: Cultural Services

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: 10 hours per week

Posted on: 10 April 2026

Directorate: Resources

Location: Surrey Arts, 14 The Pines, Broad Street, Guildford, GU3 3BH

The hourly salary for this role is £29.86 per hour, inclusive of 15.5% Holiday Pay. This equates to an annual salary of £9,853 per annum based on working 10 hours per week, 33 weeks per year (330 hours per year). Salary will vary depending on the actual number of hours worked.

Are you a talented and creative musician who wants to share their passion for playing an instrument and making music with children and young people across Surrey? Come and work for Surrey Arts, Surrey's leading provider of youth music lessons, ensembles and instrument hire. We currently have vacancies for 2 permanent, salaried peripatetic upper strings teachers teaching individual, group and whole classes, and working both during school hours and after school hours weekdays and/or Saturday mornings. Additional hours could be available for a teacher offering an additional instrument such as music tech or piano.

Rewards and Benefits:

• Annual salary paid in 12 monthly instalments meaning pay is received during the school holidays.
• Able to join the Teachers' Pension Scheme, whereby Surrey County Council contribute 28.68% of your salary into your pension.
• Comprehensive sick pay: 3 months full pay; 3 months half pay in a rolling 12-month period.
• Professional development through specialised training in diverse teaching methodologies, instrument-specific masterclasses, and pedagogical workshops.
• Opportunity to contribute to Surrey Arts' youth music programs and participate in events.
• Potential to develop specialised teaching areas such as early years music education, contemporary music, or inclusive music-making for students with additional needs.
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing.
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year.
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave.
• 2 paid volunteering days per year.
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources.
• Savings on a range of retailers, including supermarkets, high street shops, utilities, travel, transport, health and wellbeing.

About the Role:

This is an exciting opportunity for upper strings teachers to join our talented team of experienced and committed teaching staff. Across 33 weeks of the academic year, you will deliver high quality and inspiring music education to students at various schools and venues around the county. You will join a team dedicated to 'changing lives through world class arts'. Surrey Arts is an ambitious and forward-thinking organisation that places young people at the centre of our work. We are committed to developing Surrey Arts as a genuinely inclusive organisation, and one that meets the needs of the whole diverse community of Surrey.

The advertised salary is based on delivering one-to-one and small group music tuition. If you are able to offer a range of instruments, there would also be the opportunity to deliver whole class teaching or be an ensemble conductor or assistant conductor (subject to a post being available). These activities attract a higher hourly rate of pay, and the annual salary will be increased in accordance with Surrey Arts Teacher Pay Scales. The hours advertised may be subject to change due to small fluctuations in demand. After the first four months of employment, the annual salary will be adjusted accordingly to reflect actual hours worked.

Teaching takes place during the school day, after school and at the weekend, at various schools and music centres in Surrey. You will therefore need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role.

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Recognised music diploma/degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Passionate about the importance of music with a genuine desire to help all students express themselves musically.
• Ability to teach a range of students, adapting teaching style and genre of music to deliver engaging lessons that offer challenge and independence appropriate to age and ability.
• Knowledge of and willingness to learn music exam specifications and how to prepare students for exams (as appropriate).
• ICT literate: ability to use email and web-based platforms.
• Understanding of safeguarding and commitment to ensuring the welfare of students.
• Commitment to continuing professional development and strong interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues.
• A flexible approach to working due to changes in teaching schedules and ability to travel around the county.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.