Lead Teacher of Music

Required to start: September 2026

Lead Teacher of Music

MPR/UPR + TLR2A

Contract: 32.5 Hours Per Week

John Smeaton Academy is seeking to recruit an inspirational colleague to the role of Lead Teacher of Music. This role is of great importance to our work as an academy. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching and inspiring students across Key Stages 3 and 4 to achieve their full potential in this critically important subject. Music is currently taught to all students in Years 7-9 and is an option at KS4. Due to the size of the academy, we are looking for an experienced teacher who can grow our music offer as part of the Performing Arts department.

Potential applicants should:

Be either:

· A trainee teacher who is successfully completing placement(s) teaching at KS3 & KS4 (applicants currently in training).

or:

· A colleague with a successful record of teaching with strong examination results at one or more of KS3 & KS4 (applicants who have already gained Qualified Teacher Status).

Applicants should also have:

· A detailed knowledge of current developments in education including the effective use of the Pupil Premium.

· The ability to put vision into practice.

What we offer you:

As a trust, we have a great responsibility to ensure that professionals, at every stage in their career, have the opportunity to enjoy expert support and training. In addition to the essential training and support provided by the Early Career Framework and National Professional Qualifications suite delivered through Leeds Teaching School Hub, we are pleased to offer a generous benefits package to our team – as we work together to create a rewarding future for all including: 

· Membership of a teacher or local government pension scheme, depending on the role.   

· A commitment to continued investment in our professionals, supporting every member of staff throughout their career in the trust. 

· Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential professional advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

·£2k Cycle to work scheme.

About us:

On 1 September 2021 John Smeaton Academy joined The GORSE Academies Trust, an organisation renowned for excellence in education.  The trust has a nationally recognised track record of transforming inadequate schools and making them great again, or for the first time in their history.  Consequently, this role represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for any candidate who is eager to be a part of an organisation that seeks to secure the very highest educational standard for every student.  We are determined to ensure students at John Smeaton Academy are inspired to ‘Secure the Gift of Choice’ and we expect any successful candidate to be passionate and tenacious in their quest for all round academic and pastoral excellence.  As part of our exceptional work to date, Ofsted recognised that our academy is ‘Good’ in all areas in April/May 2024.

A unique opportunity to be part of an academy that is a Beacon for its community!

If you would like to know more about our academy, please visit our website.

How to Apply:

If you are as excited about this role as we are, you can download the , Person Specification, and Application Form from The GORSE Academies Trust website, request them by email at   [email protected] or call us on 0113 8313900.

Please note if you submit an electronic application, we will not require a hard copy. CVs are not accepted.

Closing date for applications: 27 April 2026, 9am

Interviews will take place: TBC

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will be shortlisted and invited to interview while this advert remains live, if a successful candidate is found the advert will be withdrawn.

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to full employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and barring service check. We promote diversity and aim to establish a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds.

Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK – either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.  

Please note that, as a sponsor licence holder, we only provide sponsorship for teacher vacancies.