Director of Music

The Manor is seeking to appoint a Director of Music to work full time during term time and INSET days from September 2024.   

The Head of the Music Department directs a second member of staff, a music department administrator and peripatetic instrument and singing teachers. As a senior level position, the Director of Music will need to be available for events that fall outside the regular timetable.

Aims

To ensure that music is made accessible to and enjoyable for every child in the school regardless of individual ability.

To develop in a systematic manner the skills required in the National Curriculum.

To encourage a sense of involvement throughout the department, so that peripatetic teachers can take a full part in the children’s overall musical development.

To understand and develop opportunities for music to be integrated where appropriate with other subjects, especially Drama and year group plays.

To challenge the able and prepare them for possible scholarships.

To regularly and appropriately plan and inform all Music Department staff of future events.

Responsibility

Education

To meet regularly with colleagues, making sure that class teaching is properly coordinated, with a suitable progression throughout the school. 

To organise the recruitment and appointment of Peripatetic Music Teachers, ensuring that new members of staff to the department have undertaken all the required checks to allow them to start teaching unsupervised (eg DBS, Safeguarding Training).

To meet regularly with and to forge strong links with the peripatetic teachers, ensuring they are aware of key school policies and ensuring they have clear guidelines about school expectations. Also to monitor and observe each teacher and to encourage them to run weekly ensembles in their instrument/s.

To be aware of all music resources in the school, up-dating these when advisable, and bringing them to the attention of all staff concerned.

To maintain a full programme of extra-curricular activities, such as orchestras, choirs, recorder groups, theory classes and chamber music ensembles (including Hymn Practices for all children.

To develop opportunities for pupils to perform at external events

To collaborate with teachers in any stage production which involves music.

To attend relevant courses and keep up-to-date with new material as it is published.

In conjunction with the Deputy Head Pastoral, to organise termly Chapel Services including contributions from the Chamber Choir and arranging for a pianist to accompany them.

Attend all relevant Parents’ Evenings.

To allow a sufficient amount of time to ensure planning, preparation and facilities are ready for a new term.

 Administration (with the assistance of a part-time Music Department Administrator, who works under the direction of the Director of Music).

To arrange individual music lessons in response to parents’ requests (as long as the lessons are considered appropriate for any particular child) and ensuring there are places available.

To coordinate the timetabling of Peripatetic Music Teachers, ensuring they are kept up to date with key school events and ensuring they are aware of protected lessons so they can schedule their timetables accordingly.

To ensure all facilities fees for visiting teachers are accurately recorded and passed on to the Assistant Bursar at the end of each term.

To organise regular entries for Associated Board examinations, subsequently preparing timetables and supervising their operation.

To create regular opportunities for talented children to perform in public, as soloists or members of small groups (whilst maintaining the policy that music at Primary level should remain a subject in which all can participate).

Ensuring parents are kept informed of music events and that letters are prepared in a timely manner, giving sufficient notice to attend such events.

Coordinating catering requests for music events.

To liaise as appropriate with Heads of Music in Senior schools, especially in the area of music awards offered at 11 plus.

Maintenance of Departmental Budget.

Organise regular concerts for children

To monitor and supervise all instruments and instrumental hire within the department.

Inform Bursary Administrator of all termly hire cost at the end of each term.

Chair a weekly Departmental Meeting

Organising a meeting at least annually of all peripatetic staff in order to discuss prevalent issues. 

Organisation of events for peripatetic staff to assist them to recruit new instrumental pupils.

Other duties

Playing the music (piano or CD as appropriate) when children and staff enter and leave the hall for assemblies.

Playing the piano for assemblies.

In consultation with the Head and Deputy Heads, organise and prepare the Y3-6 Carol Service, including ensuring arrangements for the provision of chairs, music stands etc.

Checking peripatetic teachers’ reports.

Teaching Commitments

The teaching of class music throughout the school

Extra-curricular:

Oversight and leadership of a wide range of extra-curricular Music groups.

Playing the piano (and organising a band where appropriate) for plays.

(Please note, the extra-curricular events form part of the contractual hours).

For more information and to apply for this role, please download the Application Pack and Application Form which can be found on our website:

 https://www.manorprep.org/about-us/vacancies

The closing date for applications is 3pm Tuesday 7 May 2024

Interviews will be held on Monday 13 May 2024

The Manor Preparatory School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility and staff are expected to attend regular training sessions and to follow the school’s safeguarding procedures.

Our Safer Recruitment process and procedures are in line with Safer Recruitment requirements and Keeping Children Safe in Education.

We are an equal opportunities employer who welcomes applications from all sections of the community.