Director of Music and Performing Arts
Job Reference: schooltalent/TP/33365/2208
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time, Term Time
Salary: Competitive salary
Location: Edinburgh
Closing Date: 28/11/2025
Department: Music
Region / Division: ESMS
Job Role: Teaching
Role
The Director of Music and Performing Arts will lead the strategic direction of the Music department and the Performing Arts programme at ESMS, aligning with the School’s wider strategic School Improvement Plan. The postholder will:
* Develop, implement and oversee the performance calendar and budget for all music and performing arts provision across the Junior and Senior Schools.
* Lead strategic planning and delivery of the Music and Performing Arts curriculum, ensuring innovation and high standards.
* Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships internally and externally.
* Teach 8‑10 hours per week and lead associated extra‑curricular activities.
* Support colleagues to work collaboratively to achieve the objectives of the strategic plan and School Improvement Plan.
* Use the HGIOS framework to improve the student experience in music and the performing arts.
Eligibility
ESMS is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. The successful candidate must demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Benefits
* Generous holiday allowance
* Enhanced sick pay
* Family‑friendly policies
* Use of the schools’ swimming pool and fitness room outside school hours
* Membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme (discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations)
* Fee remission from Nursery to S6
* Free school lunches
* Free Sports’ Club membership, including access to pool and fitness suites
* Generous pension
* Death in service benefit
* Employee Assistance Service
* Cycle‑to‑work scheme
* Car leasing salary sacrifice scheme
* Regular salary reviews and annual professional reviews
* Funding towards professional qualifications
Values
We look for individuals who embody and promote ESMS values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity, and who role‑model behaviours aligned with our school pillars of Ambition, Innovation and Community.
EEO & Safeguarding
ESMS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and Disclosure Scotland. All staff working at ESMS have direct access to young people, so all posts within the school are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Contact
For further enquiries, please contact the HR Team at recruitment@esms.org.uk.
Application Timeline
The closing date for applications is 12pm on Friday 28 November 2025. Interviews will be held during the week commencing 8 December 2025.
About ESMS
Welcome to ESMS, a vibrant family of independent schools set in beautiful grounds in the heart of Edinburgh. We offer a co‑educational nursery and junior school, single‑sex but closely twinned secondary education, and a co‑educational sixth form. Our schools have a legacy of more than 300 years of innovative, rounded education, underpinned by our values of kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity and curiosity.
Attached Documents
* Director of Music and Performing Arts Sep2025.pdf
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