Music Teacher - Piano

The hourly salary for this role is £29.86 per hour, inclusive of 15.5% holiday pay (hourly rate is anticipated to increase following confirmation of the 26-27 financial year inflationary pay award). This currently equates to an annual salary of £29,561 per annum based on working 30 hours per week, 33 weeks per year (990 hours per year). Salary will vary depending on the actual number of hours worked.

Are you a talented and creative musician who wants to share their passion for playing an instrument and making music with children and young people across Surrey? Come and work for Surrey Arts, Surrey’s leading provider of youth music lessons, ensembles and instrument hire.

We currently have vacancies for two permanent, salaried peripatetic piano teachers teaching individual and paired lessons both during school hours and after school hours on weekdays and Saturday mornings across the county. The hours could be flexible but with a minimum of 15 hrs per week for 33 weeks.

• Full time: West Surrey (Guildford, Working, Farnham, Godalming) including some after school, evening and Saturday morning.
• Full time: East Surrey (Leatherhead, Dorking, Epsom, Oxted, Redhill) including some after school, evening and Saturday morning.

Rewards and Benefits

• Annual salary paid in 12 monthly instalments meaning pay is received during the school holidays.
• Able to join the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, whereby Surrey County Council contribute 28.68% of your salary into your pension.
• Comprehensive sick pay: 3 months full pay; 3 months half pay in a rolling 12-month period.
• Professional development through specialised training in diverse teaching methodologies, instrument-specific masterclasses, and pedagogical workshops.
• Opportunity to contribute to Surrey Arts' youth music programs and participate in events.
• Potential to develop specialised teaching areas such as early years music education, contemporary music, or inclusive music-making for students with additional needs.
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing.
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year.
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave.
• 2 paid volunteering days per year.
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources.
• Savings on a range of retailers, including supermarkets, high street shops, utilities, travel, transport, health and wellbeing.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for piano teachers to join our talented team of experienced and committed teaching staff. Across 33 weeks of the academic year, you will deliver high quality and inspiring music education to students at various schools and venues around the county.

You will join a team dedicated to "changing lives through world class arts". Surrey Arts is an ambitious and forward-thinking organisation that places young people at the centre of our work. We are committed to developing Surrey Arts as a genuinely inclusive organisation, and one that meets the needs of the whole diverse community of Surrey.

The advertised salary is based on delivering one-to-one and small group music tuition. If you are able to offer a range of instruments, there would also be the opportunity to deliver whole class teaching or be an ensemble conductor or assistant conductor (subject to a post being available). These activities attract a higher hourly rate of pay, and the annual salary will be increased in accordance with Surrey Arts Teacher Pay Scales.

The hours advertised may be subject to change due to small fluctuations in demand. After the first four months of employment, the annual salary will be adjusted accordingly to reflect actual hours worked.

Teaching takes place during the school day, after school and at the weekend, at various schools and music centres in Surrey. You will therefore need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role.

Shortlisting Criteria

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Recognised music diploma/degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Passionate about the importance of music with a genuine desire to help all students express themselves musically.
• Ability to teach a range of students, adapting teaching style and genre of music to deliver engaging lessons that offer challenge and independence appropriate to age and ability.
• Knowledge of and willingness to learn music exam specifications and how to prepare students for exams (as appropriate).
• ICT literate: ability to use email and web-based platforms.
• Understanding of safeguarding and commitment to ensuring the welfare of students.
• Commitment to continuing professional development and strong interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues.
• A flexible approach to working due to changes in teaching schedules and ability to travel around the county.

As part of your application for this role you will be required to provide your full work history and confirm any qualifications you hold.

Application Questions

To apply, alongside your CV, you will be asked to answer the following questions:

1. How does your knowledge, skills and experience demonstrate that you are a competent/proficient musician?
2. Please describe your approach to planning and delivering paired and small group music lessons.
3. How do you/would you ensure that all children and young people you work with are engaged and reach their full potential?
4. Please give a specific anonymised example of how you have built positive relationships with students.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion about the role, please email your contact details to sastaff@surreycc.gov.uk so a member of the team can get in touch with you.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Monday 4th May with shortlisting completed by the 6th May. Interviews will take place in the week commencing 18th May 2026.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.