Head of Music

ST JOHN’S SCHOOL NORTHWOOD

A Merchant Taylors’ School

Potter Street Hill, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 3QY

 

A thriving I.A.P.S Day School of 350 boys (3-13),

attractively situated on a 35 acre site in London’s Green Belt.

St John’s is looking to appoint a dynamic and inspirational individual to lead our exceptional Music Department and deliver a curriculum that is exciting, innovative and diverse. The successful candidate will ensure that the provision of music across the School continues to be outstanding. They will be an experienced professional with a sound knowledge of the complexities of teaching, learning and curriculum development for the 3 to 13 age group.

The successful candidate will teach curriculum music, manage the peripatetic staff,  lead a range of extra-curricular ensembles and organise the various concerts and performances. An interest in Drama would be of benefit.

Subject Leaders (specific responsibilities are identified below this general statement)

Job Purpose

To inspire an active interest in their subject area throughout the school.

To ensure that the curriculum given to pupils is of the highest quality.

To ensure that there is continuity of progress of pupils’ learning in the subject.

To ensure that appropriate assessment is made of pupils’ attainment. 

To assist the strategic and operational management of the school through liaison with the Senior Leadership Team, participation in monitoring and evaluation exercises and contribution to academic policy making e.g. through membership of Academic Policy Committee.

Objectives

To ensure that there is a balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all abilities of pupils.

To ensure that all pupils achieve the highest standards possible in the curriculum.

To prepare pupils effectively for the next stage of learning in the subject (e.g. GCSE).

Principal Responsibility Areas

A    Co-ordination of subject curriculum throughout the school

B    Leading and managing staff

C    Managing resources

D    Health and Safety

Key Tasks

A1. To advise the Headmaster on current issues regarding the curriculum.

A2. To ensure where appropriate that pupils are prepared for entrance examinations and scholarship examinations to senior schools.

A3. To monitor and evaluate schemes of work to ensure that they provide the challenge to pupils and show continuity.

A4. To liaise with Junior and Pre-Prep subject co-ordinators.

A5. To deal with parental queries regarding teaching and learning in their subject.

A6.  To ensure the Departmental Schemes of Work are up to date.

B1. To monitor the teaching by regular scrutiny of planning documentation, classroom observations and work sampling (including marking). 

B2. To appraise departmental staff where appropriate.

B3. To co-ordinate INSET needs for teaching throughout the school.

B4.  To advise members of department on professional development.

B5. To administer where appropriate internal school examinations.

B6. To analyse where appropriate of internal and external exam results.

C1. To manage departmental budget.

C2. To ensure that resources including ICT are ordered, stored and maintained. 

D1. To ensure that thorough risk assessments are carried out for areas (e.g. classrooms) for which subject leader is responsible.

Specific responsibilities for Head of Music:

Teach the music curriculum as required.   

Produce the Autumn Concert, Carol Service, House Music Competition, Court Visit Concert and Summer Concert.

Co-ordinate the delivery of peripatetic music tuition including timetabling (currently over one hundred boys receive instrumental tuition from ten visiting staff).

Organise and rehearse the choirs, orchestra and various ensembles and promote their involvement in joint school events with Merchant Taylors’, St Helen’s and within the community.

Co-ordinate Associated Board Examinations and accompany pupils where necessary.

Promote the involvement in annual competitions such as the Watford Festival of Music. 

Accompany singing in assemblies.

Organise outings to musical events.

Purchase and care for musical instruments and resources according to the department  budget allocation and administer the instruments for hire.

Identify and encourage individuals for Senior School Music Scholarships.

We have a very well-resourced, attractive music department with an excellent teaching area and practice rooms.   These adjoin our assembly hall, which is equipped with a first class stage and excellent lighting and sound equipment.

The successful applicant needs to be an energetic and well-qualified practitioner.   Music plays a very important part in the life of the School, the new Head will be taking over a thriving department. It would be ideal if the applicant had experience of teaching in preparatory schools, but we would be happy to consider any applicant with relevant qualifications and experience.  

Interviews will be held during the week commencing Monday 11th February 2019.

Website: www.st-johns.org.uk

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced check for Regulated Activity from the DBS.

(A Merchant Taylors’ Educational Trust School)

(Charity Number 1063738)