[Alan Tang]

Personally I would make tasks very quick. Sometimes being pace doesn’t allow those with a learning difficulty to misbehave. Try shortening what you would like them to complete such as play 1 bar, then the second bar, etc and then as a plenary they can play what they have completed it. You could try breaking it up with other types of games as well so the focus won’t be based on sitting or holding the instrument.

Good luck

[Alan Tang]

Payment is dependent on the school policy.
In my last school I was HoD and I advised the school to pay the teachers after they put a claim form in. This would lead to no issues with payment.

There are some teachers that were self-employed but they were also paid by the school but it was up to the individual to pay their own taxes.

You have done the right thing by sending your CV and generally departments will look at new teachers from about June onwards. Some schools employ directly from local council/ music services. I have always looked at different music teacher sites and located my teachers based on their distance so I know they have less travelling time to consider. I have made exceptions. Piano will always be a popular instrument but some schools may have a few teachers.

I dont teacher piano in schools as from my experience, parents are reluctant to have children out from lessons and payment is based on the work you do during term time so during the holidays you will be a little short naturally.

[Alan Tang]

I teach at a school Monday to Wednesday then Thurs and Fri I do admin/ preparing for school lessons and general stuff. I teach half day Saturday just to take a rest!!!

[Alan Tang]

I am looking to move into teaching full time but my main barriers is possibly unsocial hours. Generally, people are only available after 3.30 or 5.00 and that will only leave a certain number of hours during the week. At best if you are available to teach at 4.00 and you have no breaks then you could have 5 hours of teaching finishing at 9pm.

I am considering continuing teaching in the classroom P/T for several reasons; staying in touch with current changes in the curriculum and also recognising private students through contact with parents. My reasons for going to peri teaching are numerous but the two main reasons are these; schools today will concentrate on core subjects and sciences therefore art based subjects will be limited at GCSE and even A’level. Even if they were available class sizes would be very small and therefore will not not run. My other reason is peri teaching offers more flexibility. I have been offered some sessional, consultancy and performance work. There are few jobs that gives you that flexibility. With this variety all of it becomes more experience and professional development.

The holidays gives you more flexibility. Having spoken to other peri teachers they have a stripped down timetable but also save up money in busy periods so you are managing your finances more effectively. Thats probably the most difficult bit!!!!!

[Alan Tang]

There is always a fear that you may not get enough students. However, what I have noticed in this short time, you are not necessarily tied down by endless administrative duties that you would at school. So at the moment I find it quite refreshing