Head of Music

Head of Music at Surbiton High Girls' Preparatory School

Location: Surbiton, Surrey

Salary: Competitive - based on the Surbiton High School Pay Scale, plus TLR

Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 8:00am, Friday 26 August 2022

Interviews to be held week commencing: 4 September 2022

Job Purpose: To teach and lead the Girls’ Prep School Music Department in achieving outstanding teaching and learning, and to inspire, encourage and empower our students to achieve their very best in the subject of Music.  The Head of Music will be responsible for the organizational and administrative tasks of the department. 

Tenure: Permanent, Full-Time 

Key Responsibilities: 

Teaching and Learning  

• Lead by example - model outstanding teaching and learning and be fully involved in curricular and co-curricular Music. 
• Lead the Department in pursuit of continuous improvement through innovation, strategic planning, and sharing of best practice.  
• Monitor the quality of teaching and learning through regular observations of department staff, work scrutiny and pupil feedback.  
• Challenge teachers who underperform and use coaching strategies to help them improve, acting as a conduit with SLT via line manager to ensure correct support is provided. Coach and support members of your team to ensure skill/knowledge base along with willingness to improve/develop is high.  

 Results  

• Tracking and monitoring student progress and achievement within the subject area across all Key Stages using baseline data.  
• Promote the use of target-setting and AFL to inform teaching and learning.  
• Ensuring the development of teachers in aspects of supporting pupil progress.  
• Review, analyse and evaluate results throughout the year.  
• Ensure reporting on pupil progress follows the School’s policy.  

Curriculum  

• Work collaboratively with the Head of Music at the Boys’ Prep and Senior School Music Department on continually developing and updating the Schemes of Work.  
• Use areas of strength and expertise amongst team and beyond SHS to develop curriculum delivery.  
• Keeping abreast of, and communicating to the Department, changes in policies, guidelines, and other national initiatives.  

Co-Curricular 

• Working collectively as a team, identify suitable co-curricular activities that enrich the curriculum and broaden the pupil learning experience. Establish and maintain an effective working partnership with the Head of Prep Schools’ Music and Head of Instrumental Music. 
• Plan, with the Assistant Director of Music (Co-curricular), a co-curricular timetable which is effective and achievable, reflecting and best using the resources available to the department, including staff, teaching space and equipment. 
• Monitor Preparatory School’s activities affecting Individual Music Lessons by managing the calendar which details times at which individual music lessons may not take place and ensuring that policies agreed with SLT are followed. 
• Manage the following aspects of the Preparatory Instrumental Programme (providing free instrumental lessons to pupils in Years 3 and 5):  
  • all communication with parents 
  • hire of school and external instruments 
  • maintenance of school instruments 
• Monitor and develop/support the contribution made by members of your team and relevant VMTs (Visiting Music Teachers) to co-curricular activities. 

Values  

• Engage in on-going personal and professional development to provide high quality and innovative educational leadership.  
• Effectively communicate whole school changes to team, coaching team members to develop their understanding and skill base surrounding new teaching strategies.  
• Be aligned to the School’s values and be a respected and well-informed conduit to whole school change.  
• Ensure Department compliance with agreed school policies for assessment, recording, contacts with parents etc.  
• Promote the School’s ethos of May Love Always Lead Us and the Best in Everyone.  
• Implement all school policies.  
• Work co-operatively with SLT and all colleagues.  

Staff and Resources  

• Demonstrate and role model constructive leadership behaviours including: 
  • Providing encouragement, support and assistance to colleagues at all levels.  
  • Managing the performance of all staff in line with current legislation and United Learning policy and procedure.  
  • Being aware of and able to positively influence staff morale 
• Purchase or production, organisation, cataloguing and repair of the department’s resources for lessons, rehearsals and performances, which include sheet music and musical instruments 
• Planning and organisation of performances, which includes directing and supervising pupils and advising other staff members 
• Administration of Individual Music Lessons and Prep Instrumental Programme Lessons and communicating with parents concerning the Prep music department’s activities 
• Ensure effective Department communication, both informally and through regular Departmental meetings.  

 Subject Specific  

• There may be particular responsibilities linked to the subject that may be added when necessary.  

General 

• Carrying out any such duties as may be reasonably requested by the Principal. 

For the full Job Description and Person Specification, please see the attached document

To Apply:

Please apply online by clicking on the following:

https://unitedlearning.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/2736313?cid=1567 

For any queries relating to the role or your application, please email recruitment@surbitonhigh.com

 

Surbiton High Prep Schools are culturally diverse and are fully committed to celebrating, respecting and learning about inclusion and diversity throughout the community.

Surbiton High 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 the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

Please note that the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the recruitment process.