Director of Music

St Helen's is one of the leading independent day schools in the country, educating over 1150 girls aged 3-18.

The Role

Strategy

• Provide strategic leadership of academic and co-curricular Music throughout the whole School (Nursery to Year 13)

• Develop opportunities for girls to gain experience of performing, both as solo performers and in ensembles, with particular focus on developing on orchestral playing, with the School Orchestra as the flagship ensemble

• In consultation with the Executive Team, determine the annual programme of musical events and concerts, including performances both within and outside the School  

• Act as the public face of music at St Helen’s by maintaining and developing the profile of the School’s music in the wider community 

• Lead and oversee the long-term plans for music throughout the School, including he further development of music technology within curricular and co-curricular Music

• Develop and implement an outreach music strategy for partnerships and outreach music projects with maintained and independent schools including Merchant Taylors’ and community groups

Leadership of Academic and Co-Curricular Music at St Helen’s 

• Lead the work of the staff and students through personal example as a practising performer, composer or conductor 

• Conduct the School Orchestra and take such other ensembles as may be appropriate

• Inspire and lead the School’s music performance work as a whole

• Ensure that Music Scholars have an appropriate scholarship programme in place to support their development within music

• Secure excellent standards of pupil attainment and achievement through monitoring and supporting student progress in Music throughout the School

• Ensure that the academic music curriculum is appropriately delivered through liaison with the Academic Deputy Head, Director of Studies and Head of Prep School Music 

Management and Communication

• Liaise with the Director of Communications and Marketing Department to coordinate the marketing and publicity of musical events

• Ensure that stories of musical achievements by girls and ensembles are made available for posting on the School website

• Ensure that prompt and appropriate communication with parents takes place, whether over individual concerns which may arise from time to time in relation to the work of the Department, or in relation to communicating to parents the School’s vision for music 

• Liaise with the Head of Art, Director of Drama and Director of Sport, to develop and promote collaborative projects where appropriate

• Liaise with the Director of Music and others at Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School in the planning of joint concerts, the annual Joint Musical and other musical events

• Attend meetings of the Joint Performing Arts Committee, Curriculum Admin Group Heads of Departments Committee and Co-Curricular Logistics Committee, and attend other meetings as required

• Plan and manage the overall music budget and other available resources 

• Organise and lead a programme of music tours to the UK and abroad

Line Management

• Lead, supervise and manage the Senior School music teachers, Music Administrative Assistant, Prep School Head of Music and Instrumental Music Teachers

• Motivate the team ensuring that all work is consistently performed to a high standard

• Ensure the proper induction of new staff to the Department, including Instrumental Music Teachers, NQTs and trainee teachers (where applicable)

• Manage the annual professional development review/appraisal process for the Music Department

• Identify team training and development requirements and arrange training and development as required

General

• Carry out such duties that may be reasonably required by the Headmistress

• Follow responsibilities as defined in the Health & Safety Policy

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people with whom s/he comes into contact and adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

• Support and promote and School’s ethos, aims and objectives.

• Teach  lessons as timetabled.

 Person specification

The successful candidate will have:

Essential:

• A good honours degree in Music or a related subject or equivalent qualification

• Demonstrable passion for teaching Music at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5

• Detailed understanding of current developments in the secondary curriculum and assessment

• Substantial experience of teaching in a school Music department in KS3 and to GCSE and A Level

• Good ICT skills and knowledge of the use of technology within music education

• A thorough understanding of current developments in music and performance

• Artistic integrity and the ability to inspire the musical life of the whole School leading it forward with vision and energy 

• The ability to motivate and lead a team

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• A clear motivation to work with young people

• The ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and boundaries with young people

• Commitment to further professional development

• Experience of teaching Music across the Senior School age range (Years 7-13)

Desirable:

• A teaching qualification such as PGCE (or equivalent)

• Experience of leading a Music Department in a school

• An interest in leading Music in an all-through School

• Evidence of commitment to further professional development

• A proven record of success in pursuing music professionally at a high level

The teacher should also have knowledge and understanding of:

• Effective learning and teaching styles

• Theory and practice of providing effectively for the individual needs of all children (e.g. classroom organisation, planning, teaching strategies and removing barriers to learning)

• Monitoring, assessment, recording and reporting of pupils’ progress

• An appreciation of how assessment supports effective learning

• The need for high quality pastoral support to complement the academic experience of pupils aged 3-18

• Legislation and best practice concerning Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Individual Learning Needs and Keeping Children Safe in Education

The teacher will be able to:

• Promote the School’s aims, ethos and ‘whole school’ approach to learning

• Develop effective relationships with pupils, parents, staff and governors

• Create a happy, challenging and effective learning environment

• Communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) to a variety of audiences

• Work collaboratively with others

• Work in a fast-paced and stimulating environment

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children

The teacher will be able to demonstrate:

• Willingness to participate in the wider life of the School

• Commitment to participation in the School’s expanding programme of educational visits