What options are there if you want to go into teaching?
There is plenty of work in performance teaching (or peripatetic teaching) both in the formal sector and informal sector.
In the formal sector there are several options. Music Hubs and Music Services (LEA or independent) tend to provide instrumental teachers for primary and secondary schools, on the whole you will be teaching large groups of the same instrument (this changes to 1-to-1 in the private sector). If you have an established reputation as a performer and you are very good, you could also be employed by educational institutions such as FE/ 6th Form Colleges and Universities/ Conservatoires – high-profile and/or professional performance are often required when applying for these posts. NB: Be aware that most music departments (especially Sixth Forms) face huge funding pressures at the moment and work may be difficult to find.
You could also work outside of the formal sector as a peripatetic working for education institutions on hourly contracts. This is rapidly becoming ‘the norm’ for employing teachers. Private tutoring is another way of making a living from teaching, for this word of mouth and a good reputation are essential. Once established, this can be very lucrative – which can occasionally lead to franchising your teaching practice.
Try contacting all the local music services (Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth) for work but make sure you have a strong reference from a recognised educator/ performer. NB: It is no longer a legal requirement for teachers to have a PGCE – although some institutions will ask for one.
Try looking for teaching jobs at www.tes.co.uk
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