This is an exceptional opportunity for an inspiring and visionary musical leader to serve as Director of Music, playing a foundational role in shaping the musical identity and curriculum at SPGS International School Bangkok, bringing the academic rigour, artistic excellence, and intellectual ambition of St Paul’s Girls’ School to our new Senior School. Suitable for an experienced practitioner with a proven track record, this post offers the scope to formulate and articulate an ambitious vision for music education across all age groups, spanning from Year 7 through to the IB Diploma Programme in the Sixth Form. The postholder will oversee classroom music, instrumental tuition, and co-curricular performance, working in close collaboration with Junior School music educators to ensure seamless cross-phase continuity and build a vibrant, whole-school musical culture.
Reporting to the Deputy Head Pastoral, the postholder will design and deliver a rigorous music curriculum while demonstrating mastery in directing a broad range of ensembles. Possessing deep proficiency across a wide spectrum of genres, the postholder will weave musicology, composition, and practical performance into daily learning. The right candidate will excel at creating an inspiring, high-expectation environment that fosters technical fluency, creative risk-taking, and intellectual curiosity, empowering students of all abilities to achieve artistic maturity and confidence.
Beyond the classroom, the postholder will possess proven capability in planning and staging major calendar events that define the life of the school. Serving as a dedicated Form Tutor within an embedded pastoral ethos, the successful candidate will combine personal drive and organisational agility with the resilience to thrive under pressure while consistently maintaining a warm, positive, and encouraging atmosphere. This rare opportunity will suit an extraordinary educator and musician of great energy and dedication, eager to build a world-class Music Department and performance tradition from its foundations.
Key Responsibilities
The following responsibilities are not exhaustive but give an indication of the scope and accountabilities of the role. In consultation with the post holder, this Job Description will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the school.
During the opening stage, duties may be more wide-ranging and require significant flexibility.
Although the post officially begins in August 2027, we anticipate some preparation time with the appointee prior to their start date in order to ensure everything is set up for the start of term. Early engagement will be vital to help shape the Music curriculum.
Devise and execute a three-year departmental strategic plan aligned with the school’s goals
Design and continuously refine schemes of work across all key stages
Track and champion the academic growth of every student, framing academic excellence as the natural byproduct of deep scholarship
Deliver the bespoke School Directed Course alongside the IB Diploma Higher Level Music pathway
Oversee internal assessments, coursework, and entrance assessments
Articulate the Music department’s academic vision, ethos, and student outcomes with clarity and enthusiasm to both current and prospective families
Provide high-level subject mentorship for university pathways, preparing students for elite global university admission through mock interviews, specialised workshops, and stretch reading
Lead subject-specific research and innovation, incorporating emerging scholarship, global best practices, and new technologies into the curriculum
Co-Curricular Leadership
Develop a three-year strategic development plan for the co-curriculum in music that is both inclusive and offers opportunities for stretch and challenge to the most experienced musicians
Devise a meaningful programme of performances throughout the year which give opportunities to all students
Organise, maintain, deliver and promote co-curricular activities as part of the school’s programme including but not limited to music clubs, orchestra, instrumental lessons, performances and events
Be the principal conductor of the major ensembles
Ensure that student involvement is seen as part of their holistic education
Be responsible for establishing participation and excellence in choir, orchestra, bands and ensembles
Take an active role in the wider life of the school, supporting students to develop a rich depth of experience beyond classroom learning
Empower students to establish and lead their own societies, building confidence, agency, and leadership skills
Work closely with the Head of Music in the Junior School to ensure consistency and to create opportunities for students in both parts of the school to work together
Inspire departmental colleagues around a shared vision of scholarly excellence ensuring all members carry out their academic responsibilities with professional agency
Cultivate a culture of continuous pedagogical development through peer observations, learning walks, self-reflection and shared lesson planning
Support the professional growth of colleagues facilitating research initiatives, leadership pathways, and continuous learning
Oversee the quality of academic reporting within the department, ensuring written feedback provides prospective, individualised guidance
Lead the seamless induction of new colleagues, embedding them into the school's unique pedagogical and pastoral ethos
Facilitate purposeful departmental meetings
Oversee departmental finances with integrity and foresight, strategically deploying resources to maximise academic impact and student engagement
Collaborate with the school librarian to curate extensive reading lists and academic research in their discipline
Learning and Teaching
Deliver forward-thinking, innovative, well-sequenced lessons aligned with the English National Curriculum, IGCSE, IBDP, and SPGS ethos, reflecting our international context in Thailand
Embed school values into daily teaching to cultivate a vibrant culture and genuine love of learning among students
Foster a stimulating classroom environment that inspires intellectual risk-taking, open debate, and articulate self-expression
Drive every student's progress through responsive teaching and targeted scaffolding, ensuring all learners engage with and master demanding material
Lead student-centred interventions to support personal academic goals, maintaining transparent communication with parents and staff
Work hand-in-hand with parents through attentive listening and open dialogue to support each student’s academic and personal growth
Collaborate across departments to design interdisciplinary projects and share innovative pedagogical expertise
Celebrate diverse student accomplishments across academic and co-curricular life, building an inclusive culture grounded in mutual encouragement and shared success
Integrate educational technology with clear pedagogical intent to elevate critical thinking, deepen inquiry, and enrich student self-expression
Music Scholars
Select music scholars as part of the school programme by interview and audition
Devise a programme to challenge and develop music scholars
Ensure that music scholars are contributing to the musical life of the school
Oversee the wellbeing of music scholars and maintain good relationships with parents
Visiting Music Teachers
Monitor the quality of the VMT programme and deal with parent enquiries or feedback
Appoint suitably qualified and experienced VMTs to the school
Ensure that VMT timetables are correctly administered and do not disrupt learning
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Be responsible for the safeguarding culture in the music department
Create a safe, inspiring environment where students feel secure to take intellectual risks and flourish, keeping student wellbeing at the centre of every decision
Take a genuine personal interest in each student’s growth, ensuring they feel known, valued, and cared for across all aspects of school life
Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection by actively adhering to school policies, participating in mandatory training, and staying updated on policy changes
Share responsibility for health and safety, exercising due care and complying fully with school procedures and Thai legal requirements
Understand that compliance with safeguarding expectations is mandatory, with any non-compliance subject to disciplinary action and allegations managed under statutory procedures in consultation with Thai authorities and international standards
Marketing and Admissions
Demonstrate the energy, skills, and desire to promote a new school and actively engage in a range of events and activities which promote the school
Be an ambassador and advocate for the school and SPGS International
General
Act as a Form Tutor
Uphold the SPGS International School Bangkok values and ethos
Regularly review own practice, set personal development targets
Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive relations with students, parents and colleagues
Work within the school’s health and safety policies to ensure a safe working environment for all staff, students and visitors
Take part in assemblies and other whole school events
Perform ad hoc duties as they arise from time-to-time
Meet deadlines.
Responsibilities as part of general faculty expectations
Plan and prepare lessons according to school policy and departmental guidance
Teach classes assigned by the School
Set, mark, and assess work according to the school’s and department’s homework policy
Record and monitor student progress and produce personalised reports as required
Prepare students for internal and external assessments as necessary
Contribute to departmental curriculum development, resource creation, displays, societies, trips, and enrichment activities.
Professional Development
Drive your own growth through the school’s professional learning cycle, setting ambitious targets and refining your practice via coaching with the Deputy Head Pastoral
Participate fully in all required INSET days and training sessions, including mandatory safeguarding
Commit to continuous professional development by engaging with educational research, reflecting on practice, and sharing pedagogical insights across the school
Embrace a culture of open classrooms and pedagogical exchange, actively participating in peer observations to share best practice and elevate teaching across the school
THE PERSON
Qualifications, Experience, and Skills Required
Essential
Bachelor’s degree in music or a related field
Qualified Teacher Status (UK), PGCE, or equivalent teaching certification
A minimum of 5 years’ teaching experience within a Senior School setting
A minimum of 3 years’ leadership or management experience
Proven track record as a practising musician
An innovative and imaginative approach to music teaching, with the ability to deliver inspirational and inclusive lessons to students across a range of age groups and learning needs
Ability to explain complex ideas clearly and from a range of perspectives
A strong understanding of how students’ learning is influenced by their physical, emotional, and social development
Thorough understanding of the English National Curriculum
Ability to design and implement engaging and developmentally appropriate learning activities
Experience using assessment tools to track and support students’ progress
Excellent organisational and time management skills for managing day-to-day classroom responsibilities
Demonstrated experience using technology with clear intent to enhance learning experiences and support student achievement
Positive approaches to fostering positive behavior and maintaining a respectful classroom culture
Ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of students
Strong interpersonal skills for building positive, collaborative relationships with students, parents, and staff
Desirable
Recent background in UK secondary school education with experience overseas
Familiarity with assistive technologies and learning support software
Experience as a conductor or ensemble leader
Experience contributing to international accreditation or inspection processes
Experience delivering and developing IGCSE and IBDP curriculums
Personal Attributes
Deep alignment with the values and mission of SPGS International School Bangkok
Creative, energetic, and able to inspire both young learners and adults
Strong leadership grounded in collaboration, integrity, and sound judgment
High ambitions for the School and each individual child
Culturally aware, respectful, and able to build positive relationships in a diverse community
Reflective, proactive, organised, solution-focused, adaptable, and pragmatic
Confident and articulate communicator with a positive presence and sense of humour
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