Music Department Administrator

Hours: 2 days per week, term time only, plus 4 weeks (36 weeks in total)

Salary: Salary to be discussed at interview

Closing date: Thursday 1st January 2026, midday

Interviews: To be held the week commencing 5th January 2026

Start Date: January 2026

Founded in 1802 and set in a beautiful Yorkshire valley, Ampleforth College is the world’s foremost Catholic boarding school, welcoming girls and boys of all faiths aged 11-18. Each student’s unique talents are recognised and nurtured within a welcoming community rooted in Benedictine values. At its foundation, the basic mission of a Catholic School is to invite young people into a transforming encounter with Christ through the life of the Christian Community.  This gift is realised in Catholic Education as a place where children grow in:

• self-knowledge

• self-acceptance

• self-gift

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic versatile and Administrator to join our high performing Music Department.  The Music Department at Ampleforth College is a thriving and successful faculty, offering an array of Music opportunities across a range of instruments, and we pride ourselves on delivering a wide and varied music program that caters for all abilities and aspirations. Music is at the heart of Ampleforth, above all in the Abbey Church, but also all around the campus and beyond. Over the years an ever-widening diversity of instrumental and choral music has developed, and more recently that experience has been shared with children and adults beyond the valley.

Ampleforth commitment to choral music is strong. The Schola Cantorum, the boys’ choir, was established in 1970 to help preserve the singing of music written for the Roman Catholic Church, along with the best examples from other traditions, in the context for which it was written: the celebration of Mass. Now a mixed SATB male and female group of singers, the Schola Cantorum sings Mass every Friday evening and Sunday morning. Their repertoire is broad though maintaining its primary role of preserving music of the Catholic tradition. They perform in London at least once per year and more recently have developed a partnership of reciprocating joint services with Durham and Ripon Cathedrals.

In addition, the choirs sing meditations at key moments in the Liturgical Year and are joined by professional soloists and orchestras for oratorios. In recent years there have been annual performances of Handel’s Messiah, as well as Haydn’s The Creation, Bach’s St Matthew and St John Passions, Mozart Requiem, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols. A long-standing tradition is the annual performance of Fauré’s Requiem near the Feast of All Souls.

There is a similarly important programme of instrumental music, of which the St Cecilia Concert in November and the Exhibition Concert in May are the main showcases when the large ensembles perform: College Symphony Orchestra, Pro Musica string ensemble, Junior Band and Pipe Band. The department hosts three Instrumental concerts per year with a significant number of smaller recitals including House Recitals in which every member of the House (and thus the school) performs.

About the school: 

Ampleforth is full boarding with students from all over the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. We rejoice in being culturally diverse with many different languages spoken.

Our academic results are impressive and show that every student is inspired to reach their potential. Beyond academic excellence, to ensure they leave school ready for the challenges ahead, our approach is to encourage our students to develop Benedictine Scholarship; that they would become life-long learners, who are reflective and resilient, who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, with an ability to transfer knowledge and skills across different contexts, in a discerning and critically engaging manner, through good academic habits, and a love of reading. We wish for our students to be digitally equipped for the 21st century, but mindful of any associated ethical implications regarding the use of this technology or programs. Finally, we want for our students to always be striving to give of their best.

We offer a Compass for Life, recognising that every person is of equal value and has unique talents. Our duty is to draw out these talents so that each student becomes the very best version of themselves. The principles of Benedictine community living teach us that we are made better through our relationships with others. As individuals thrive, so does the community – and our community is very strong and welcoming. Our students are inspired to become thoughtful, caring and considerate citizens.

Ampleforth has a fantastic range of benefits to offer, such as:

·         Free meal during working hours

·         Pension – Ampleforth College Group Personal Pension Scheme

·         A generous Bounty scheme for referral of new staff

·         Subsidised on-site gym membership

·         Free car parking on site

·         Cycle to work scheme

·         Employee assistance programme

·         Staff Lodging (where available)

·         A friendly and supportive working environment

·         10% Staff Discount at Ampleforth Abbey Shop and Tearooms

If you are seeking a highly rewarding position, please download and complete the attached application form and return it to employment@ampleforth.org.uk

If you would like to find out further information about the school, please see the attached applicant information pack. If you have any questions about the role, please don’t hesitate to contact the Director of Music, Edward Seymour on eos@ampleforth.org.uk

St Laurence Education Trust and Ampleforth College are committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people. They expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and will ensure that all recruitment and selection practices and procedures reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) along with other relevant employment checks.