History  Founded in 1950, Fairstead House is a co-educational day school which occupies a large Victorian House and grounds in the centre of Newmarket. It is within easy reach of Cambridge, Ely, and Bury St Edmunds, with excellent access from the A14, A11 and A142. Pupils are drawn largely from the town and the surrounding villages in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. The School consists of two sections: the Nursery for children aged twelve months to four years, and the Main School, sub-divided into the Pre-Prep (Reception, Years 1-2) and the Prep (Years 3-6) for pupils aged between four and eleven years. There are currently over 100 children attending the Nursery and approximately a further 100 in the Main School. 

Aims and Values  Throughout the School the aims are to provide a family environment in which children are encouraged, challenged, and enthused. Within this friendly, caring, and happy community, with its unique family system and ethos, pupils come to understand and respect the world around them whilst developing their confidence and a lifelong love of learning.  The School aims to excite each child's boundless sense of wonder, to capture their natural enthusiasms and to nurture and celebrate each child’s individual talents. The School also aims to encourage and develop self-discipline and to promote caring, polite and well-mannered children, to promote their emotional and social wellbeing and to provide wide-ranging opportunities to foster their leadership and collaboration skills. 

The general philosophy of the School is based on Christian values whilst children of all faiths and none are warmly welcomed. The children are encouraged to work as part of the community and to think about others. The School has links with St Mary's Church in Newmarket, where services are held at Christmas and the end of the Academic Year. 

About the Role:

Head of Music and Drama (Nursery–Year 6)

Permanent  – 0.6 FTE

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Music and Drama leads the strategic development, delivery, and evaluation of a vibrant performing arts curriculum from Nursery to Year 6. The postholder inspires a love of music and drama across the school, ensures high-quality teaching and learning, and oversees an ambitious programme of performances, ensembles, and co-curricular opportunities that enrich pupils’ confidence, creativity, and cultural awareness.

Key Responsibilities

1. Curriculum Leadership

• Design, implement, and review a coherent, progressive Music and Drama curriculum from EYFS to Year 6, aligned with the school’s aims and values.
• Ensure teaching is inclusive, adaptive, and accessible for all learners, including those with SEND or EAL needs.
• Embed opportunities for creativity, performance, composition, improvisation, and critical listening.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practice in primary performing arts education.

2. Teaching and Learning

• Deliver high-quality, engaging lessons across the full age range (Nursery–Year 6).
• Use assessment effectively to track progress, inform planning, and provide meaningful feedback.
• Foster pupils’ confidence, teamwork, and self-expression through practical, hands-on learning.
• Model excellent classroom practice and contribute to whole-school pedagogy.

3. Performances and Events

• Lead the planning, direction, and delivery of major school productions, concerts, assemblies, and special events (e.g., Christmas performances for Nursery and Pre-Prep, Informal Concerts, Key Stage 2 Productions).
• Coordinate instrumental and vocal ensembles, choirs, and drama groups.
• Ensure all performances are inclusive, well-organised, and showcase pupils’ talents at every level.

4. Co‑Curricular and Enrichment

• Develop a rich programme of clubs, ensembles, and performance opportunities.
• Promote participation in external events, festivals, competitions, and community partnerships.
• Encourage a culture where every child feels able to participate and succeed in the performing arts.

5. Leadership and Management

• Provide clear leadership for visiting music teachers (VMTs), ensuring high standards of tuition and communication with parents.
• Oversee timetabling, rooming, resources, and the maintenance of instruments and equipment.
• Manage departmental budgets effectively.
• Contribute to whole-school development planning and strategic initiatives.

6. Safeguarding, Welfare, and Compliance

• Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection, following all school policies and statutory guidance.
• Ensure health and safety procedures are followed during lessons, rehearsals, and performances.
• Maintain accurate records, including risk assessments, attendance, and pupil progress.

7. Professional Development and Contribution to School Life

• Engage in ongoing professional learning and contribute to staff training where appropriate.
• Play an active role in the wider life of the school, supporting events, trips, and community initiatives.
• Promote the school’s ethos of kindness, respect, service, and integrity through daily practice.

Person Specification

Essential

• A passionate, skilled teacher of Music and Drama with experience across primary age ranges.
• Strong musical ability (vocal and/or instrumental) and confidence directing ensembles and performances.
• Experience leading productions and managing performance logistics.
• Ability to inspire pupils of all abilities and backgrounds.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting pupil wellbeing.

Desirable

• Experience in an independent or preparatory school setting.
• Ability to accompany pupils on piano.
• Experience with music technology (e.g., recording, editing, digital composition).
• Willingness to contribute to other areas of school life.

Working at Fairstead House School

The King’s Family of Schools is committed to rewarding our employees who share our passion, vision, and values. The School is committed to investing in our employees with CPD opportunities amongst other things. The School has its own, generous salary scale. The salary for the role will be commensurate with experience and will recognise the responsibility this post entails.

• Generous fee-remission, subject to availability of places and successful admissions procedures.  Staff currently enjoy a discretionary discount on fees for children in Reception year onwards, details of which will be provided upon request.
• Access to Salary Sacrifice Schemes such as: Cyle2Work, Home and Tech Scheme, and Local Gym Membership.
• Limted free on-site car parking.
• School lunch provided when at work over lunch time and tea and coffee during your working day.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme, available to the employee and their dependents.
• Discounts at local businesses such as Sushi and Salad (Ely), Griddle Bar and Meathouse, and The Pantry (Newmarket).

Information for Candidates

Applications should be made via My New Term, you can do this by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top of the advert. The final closing date for applications will be 9am on Friday 15th May 2026.

Where Applicants have been successful in the shortlisting process they will be contacted for interview. Interviews will take place in the week commencing 18th May 2026.

We reserve the right to invite candidates for interview prior to the closing date and to close vacancies early if we have sufficient suitable applications.

Therefore, we encourage interested applicants to submit an application as soon as possible.

If you are selected for interview, you will need to provide proof of identity, birth certificate, documentation confirming your NI number or your right to work in the UK and certification of qualifications.

Shortlisted Applicants should be aware that references will be requested as part of the interview process.

Fairstead House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.