Nishiazabu | Music Teacher | British International Pre-Prep

≪Job Description & Position Highlights≫

• Provide music instruction to children ages 1½ to 5, delivering arts education through singing, playing instruments, and creative activities
• The rewarding opportunity to support children’s growth and foster their creativity and expressive abilities through music
• An environment where you can develop an innovative music curriculum aligned with the UK’s EYFS and lead the school’s music education
• An environment that offers year-round professional development and career support, allowing you to gain experience in British-style international education

【Job Responsibilities】
Clarence International School is seeking a Specialist Music Teacher to lead music provision for children aged 18 months to 5 years, playing a leading role in delivering the school's innovative, arts-focused curriculum.
Working collaboratively with class teachers and the wider school team, you will make meaningful musical connections within thematic units, plan and deliver progressive, EYFS-aligned music lessons, and organise performances and musical events that enrich the cultural life of the school.

＜Details＞
1. School Development & Curriculum

• Supporting and actively promoting the vision, positive ethos and policies of Clarence International School (CIS) and working to continually elevate the quality of teaching, learning and pupil attainment.
• Contributing purposefully to achieving the priorities and targets which the school sets for itself, and playing a leading role in the implementation of an innovative and arts-focused curriculum.

2. Teaching & Learning

• Working collaboratively with class teachers to make meaningful musical connections within thematic units and enhance cross-curricular learning experiences.
• Ensuring high standards of music teaching, learning and attainment for all pupils across a range of musical strands, including singing, instrumental playing, listening and appraising, composition and improvisation, and movement to music, appropriate to the Early Years.
• Planning and preparing stimulating, rigorous and engaging music lessons that consistently challenge pupils and reflect a thorough understanding of their individual needs, abilities and developmental stages.
• Ensuring that music provision aligns with the EYFS areas of learning and supports communication and language development, physical development, expressive arts and design, and personal, social and emotional development.
• Providing timely, precise oral and written feedback that enables pupils to reflect on their musical learning, refine their techniques and make strong progress over time.
• Contributing to the ongoing improvement of the school's assessment procedures in music and ensuring they are implemented reliably.
• Maintaining high expectations for behaviour and establishing a positive, calm and purposeful music room environment that promotes creativity, active listening, independence and respect for instruments and shared space.
• Organising and contributing to performances, concerts, assemblies and community music events that celebrate pupil achievement and enrich the cultural life of the school.

3. Management & Resources

• Directing, guiding and holding support staff accountable for their contribution to music lessons and the wider musical provision, where relevant.
• Managing music resources responsibly, including procurement, tuning, maintenance and safe storage of instruments and equipment.
• Working diligently with the whole school team to ensure excellent communication, shared standards and consistent practice across the school.
• Supporting colleagues in developing their confidence and skills in delivering high-quality musical experiences within their own classrooms.

4. Other Specific Responsibilities

• Participating fully and constructively in continuing professional development (CPD) activities, with a commitment to ongoing improvement in both musical and pedagogical practice.
• Engaging actively in the review and management of performance, including acting on feedback promptly and effectively.
• Supporting local day trips, visiting musicians and community partnerships in liaison with the team and school leaders, ensuring high-quality learning experiences for all pupils.
• Registering attendance and supervising pupils before, during and after school with a high standard of care and responsibility.
• Planning and running high-quality extra-curricular music clubs, ensembles or choirs that enrich pupils' musical experiences.
• Contributing to and attending whole-school and community events throughout the year, including seasonal performances and celebrations.
• Taking on other duties and responsibilities as directed by the Senior Leadership Team.

＜Career Path＞
Clarence International School is entering an exciting phase of growth as part of one of Japan's fastest-growing international education groups, and this role offers the opportunity to shape music provision across the school's Early Years curriculum.

＜About CEA Group＞
CEA Group is one of Japan's fastest-growing international education groups, providing a continuous educational pathway from 18 months to 18 years of age through Clarence International School (Preschool), Phoenix House International School (Preparatory School) and Rugby School Japan (Senior School).
Clarence International School, the school recruiting for this position, is a British pre-prep school for children aged 18 months to 5 years, following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Since opening in 2016, the school has built a distinctive, arts-focused curriculum, exposing children to a rich variety of art forms including music, theatre, poetry, dance and storytelling.
Our pupils have successfully progressed to leading pre-prep and international schools including Phoenix House International School, The British School in Tokyo, Malvern College Tokyo, ASIJ, and St Mary's International School, and onward through the CEA Pathway to Rugby School Japan.
As Clarence International School continues to grow, we are looking for a Specialist Music Teacher to lead music provision across the Early Years curriculum, deliver high-quality music teaching, and enrich the cultural life of the school.

【Employment Type】
Permanent employee

【Salary】
4,000,000yen ～ 6,000,000yen
*Will be determined according to experience and qualifications.
*Annual salary is paid in twelve equal monthly installments.
*Bonus: None in principle (salary is paid on an annual basis). A discretionary bonus may be paid depending on performance, etc.

【Working Hours】
Term-time role; with additional time for planning, marking, CPD

【Work Location】
Tokyo
*Approx. 10–12 min walk from Roppongi Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line / Toei Oedo Line) or Hiroo Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)

【Holidays & Leave】

• Aligned with the school's academic term calendar.
• Non-working days generally include Saturdays and Sundays, Japanese public holidays during school holiday periods, and school holiday periods following the UK academic year (autumn, winter, spring and summer breaks).
• Paid annual leave and sick leave are provided in accordance with Japanese labour law and the school's staff handbook.

【Benefits & Welfare】

• Full Transportation Allowance
• Comprehensive Japanese Social and Health Insurance
• Salary and remuneration package review based on Performance Review (every two years)
• Professional Development and career development support
• Annual health check

【Essential Requirements】

• Successful and demonstrably strong teaching experience in music education within an Early Years setting or equivalent.
• Experience in planning and delivering a progressive music curriculum across multiple age groups.
• Experience in accurately assessing pupils' progress in music and using assessment to improve outcomes.
• High level of personal musicianship, creativity and passion for innovative music education, with strong vocal skills and proficiency in at least one instrument (e.g. piano, guitar, ukulele or another classroom instrument).
• Secure and up-to-date knowledge of music pedagogy and child development, particularly within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
• Excellent classroom management skills and the ability to create a structured yet creatively inspiring environment.
• Strong organisational skills, including effective resource management, instrument care and lesson planning.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally and confidently with all stakeholders.
• Native-level English proficiency.

【Desirable Experience】

• Experience of organising performances, concerts or musical events.
• Experience in an international school or British curriculum setting.
• Conversational Japanese language ability.