At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire and educate aspiring guitar makers through engaging workshops and mentorship.
- Company: Join West Dean College, a leading centre for craft education in the UK.
- Benefits: Work in a stunning environment with access to expert practitioners and vibrant community.
- Other info: Part-time role with opportunities for professional development and industry engagement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of instrument making while sharing your passion and expertise.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in guitar making and teaching skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Inspire the Next Generation of Guitar Makers. Are you an accomplished guitar maker with a passion for craftsmanship, creativity, and education? West Dean College is seeking an exceptional Subject Tutor – Musical Instruments (Guitar Focused) to join our internationally respected School of Arts, Crafts & Conservation. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of instrument making by sharing your expertise with aspiring makers in one of the UK's leading centres for specialist craft education.
Working closely with the Musical Instruments Subject Leader, you will play a key role in delivering and developing our highly regarded Musical Instruments programmes, helping students build the technical skills, creative confidence, and professional understanding required for successful careers in instrument making and repair.
About West Dean: West Dean is internationally recognised for excellence in craft, conservation, design, and arts education. Set within a spectacular 6,350-acre estate in the South Downs National Park, our Sussex campus provides a unique environment where heritage, creativity, and innovation come together. Our students benefit from outstanding workshops, specialist facilities, and a vibrant creative community that attracts expert practitioners, visiting lecturers, and students from around the world.
The Opportunity: This role is ideal for an experienced guitar maker, instrument maker, or craft professional who is passionate about passing on their knowledge and inspiring the next generation of makers.
- Teaching & Learning
- Deliver engaging workshop-based teaching, demonstrations, tutorials, and assessments.
- Share specialist expertise in guitar making, construction, repair, set-up, and maintenance.
- Support students in developing exceptional practical skills and craftsmanship.
- Encourage creative thinking, innovation, and professional practice.
- Provide constructive feedback that enables students to achieve their full potential.
- Contribute to curriculum planning and programme development.
- Student Support & Development
- Create an inclusive, inspiring, and supportive learning environment.
- Mentor students throughout their educational journey.
- Support academic progression and professional development.
- Maintain engaging learning resources through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
- Industry Engagement & Recruitment
- Represent West Dean as an ambassador for musical instrument making education.
- Participate in Open Days, applicant interviews, and recruitment events.
- Build relationships with professional makers, craftspeople, and industry partners.
- Help maintain West Dean's reputation as a leading destination for specialist craft education.
- Programme Development
- Contribute to quality assurance and programme enhancement.
- Support visiting lecturers and specialist practitioners.
- Help organise study visits and industry engagement opportunities.
- Promote excellent workshop practice and health and safety standards.
About You: We're looking for a passionate craftsperson and educator who combines technical expertise with a commitment to student success.
- Essential Experience & Skills
- Significant professional expertise in guitar making and/or stringed instrument making.
- Experience teaching, mentoring, or supporting learners within a specialist craft environment.
- Strong understanding of traditional and contemporary instrument‑making techniques.
- Ability to communicate specialist knowledge clearly and effectively.
- Experience providing assessment and developmental feedback.
- Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of workshop management and safe working practices.
- Good digital literacy, including Microsoft Office and learning technologies.
- Qualifications
- Master's degree (or equivalent Level 7 qualification) in Musical Instrument Making, Craft, Design, Conservation, or a related discipline OR Significant professional experience as a practising musical instrument maker.
- Desirable
- Higher Education teaching qualification (PgCert HE or equivalent).
- Professional research, exhibitions, commissions, publications, or industry recognition.
- Experience within Higher Education Curriculum development or programme leadership experience.
- Established professional networks within instrument making, heritage, or creative industries.
Part Time - 21 hours per week.
Subject Tutor - Musical Instruments in Chichester employer: West Dean
West Dean College is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of guitar makers within a vibrant creative community set in the stunning South Downs National Park. With a commitment to excellence in craft education, employees benefit from outstanding facilities, professional development opportunities, and the chance to engage with industry leaders, all while fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Subject Tutor - Musical Instruments in Chichester
✨Get Involved in Online Communities
Dive into online forums and communities centred around digital learning and education, like EdTech chats on Twitter or groups on LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions and sharing your insights can help build your visibility and credibility in the sector.
✨Attend EdTech Meetups and Workshops
Look for local meetups or workshops focused on digital education trends. Not only do they enable us to learn about the latest in the field, but they’re also great networking opportunities to meet potential employers like West Dean or other educators who might know about upcoming part-time roles.
✨Leverage Your University’s Resources
If you’re currently studying, make sure to tap into your university's career services. They often have connections with local businesses in the education space, plus they can help us uncover part-time job openings that aren't widely advertised.
✨Showcase Your Skills through Projects
Create a portfolio showcasing any relevant projects or experiences in digital learning. Whether it's designing a learning module or contributing to an e-learning platform, having tangible examples will catch the eye of hiring managers at West Dean.
We think you need these skills to ace Subject Tutor - Musical Instruments in Chichester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience in Digital Learning:When applying for a role in digital learning like the Subject Tutor - Musical Instruments at West Dean, make sure to showcase any prior experience you have in creating or managing online learning materials. We want to see how you've made an impact in previous roles, so don’t shy away from providing specific examples or projects you’ve worked on.
Showcase Relevant Skills and Tools:Mention any specific platforms or tools you’ve used in the digital learning space. For instance, if you're familiar with LMS (Learning Management Systems) or any authoring tools, include these in your CV. This demonstrates you’re not only passionate but also ready to hit the ground running at West Dean.
Express Your Passion for Education:In your cover letter, we really want to feel your enthusiasm for digital learning. Talk about your motivations for joining West Dean and how you hope to contribute to shaping the future of education. This is a part-time role, so highlighting your commitment and drive will go a long way!
Tailor Your CV to Stand Out:Adapt your CV specifically for the Subject Tutor - Musical Instruments role by aligning your experiences and skills directly with the job description. Use strong action verbs and bullet points, focusing on your contributions in previous roles. We appreciate a clear, concise format that makes it easy for us at West Dean to see why you’re a perfect fit.
How to prepare for a job interview at West Dean
✨Showcase Your Digital Savvy
In the digital learning and education space, being tech-savvy is crucial. Make sure to highlight any experience you have with e-learning platforms, learning management systems, or educational software during your interview. Think about specific examples of how you’ve used these tools to enhance learning experiences – this will show West Dean you’re already familiar with the landscape!
✨Prepare to Discuss Educational Theories
Expect questions related to educational methodologies or theories that underpin digital learning. Brush up on concepts like constructivism or blended learning and be ready to discuss how these can apply to real-world scenarios. The interviewers at West Dean will appreciate your understanding of the educational principles that drive effective learning.
✨Flexibility & Adaptability are Key
As this is a part-time role, demonstrate how you can manage your time effectively and adapt to the dynamic demands of the position. Share examples from past experiences where you successfully balanced multiple tasks while contributing to team projects. This will reassure West Dean that you’re not just a candidate but a reliable team member who can juggle responsibilities.
✨Portfolio and Samples Matter
Even for a part-time gig, having a portfolio of your work can really set you apart. If you've designed any e-learning modules, created educational content, or implemented any successful teaching strategies, make sure you can present those. Being ready with tangible examples from your past work will help you make a stronger case to West Dean about what you bring to the table.
