Music Graduate Assistant

Queen’s Gate School is looking for a graduate musician to join the Music Department and take a key role in the running of this busy department on a fixed-term part time basis (0.5 FTE) for the academic year 2024/25. This is a superb opportunity for a graduate wishing to gain experience in the education sector, and/or who may be considering a career in music education or the wider education sector. It would also suit someone looking to combine professional performance work alongside regular paid work relevant to their expertise. The successful candidate will have an active role in shaping the musical development of our pupils, as part of a progressive and forward-thinking department.

Queen’s Gate School has a busy and thriving Music Department, offering a range of outstanding opportunities to the pupils that study here. The Department aims to foster a love of music in every pupil with the intention of encouraging a culture of aspiration and high standards alongside enjoyment for music.

The department is currently staffed by three members of staff: The Director of Music, and two part-time teachers, one working in the Senior School and one in the Junior School. There are also 15 Visiting Music Teachers who teach approximately 270 individual lessons each week. Over half the school currently have instrumental lessons.

We have 15 weekly ensembles running, with six choirs, school orchestra, instrumental ensembles and rock bands rehearsing each week. There are over 25 musical events each year, taking place in and outside of school.

The precise duties of the role will be tailored to the strengths and experience of the successful applicant, but a draft overview is provided below. The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, well-organised, and keen to engage young musicians of all abilities. The role will offer some flexibility in terms of the candidate being able to alter their days should they have performing commitments to accommodate. Likewise, the School may sometimes ask the candidate to work slightly altered hours to reflect events such as end-of-term concerts.

Duties are expected to include:

• Teach a small number KS3 lessons under the guidance of the Head of Music
• Provide specialist and non-specialist coaching in a range of musical disciplines; the precise nature of these contributions will, where possible, be built around the post-holder’s interests and expertise and offer an opportunity to build upon their leadership and conducting skills; experience and ability as a pianist/accompanist is welcomed
• Provide administrative support to the Music Department: internal communications, signposting, instrument inventory, instrumental lesson administration, assist in the administration and delivery of external examinations, assist with advertising and social media
• Support the logistic preparation for rehearsals and events: room/ensemble set up, basic IT set-up, preparing and organising resources
• Front of House/backstage assistance for music events/concerts
• Participating and helping to organise appropriate trips and visits, including tours abroad
• Support other School events (e.g. Open Events and Admissions Events) as required.

To apply for this role, please complete our application form which can be found on our website: www.queensgate.org.uk/about-us/employment-opportunities

Please return a completed application form, along with a covering letter to the Principal, to recruitment@queensgate.org.uk

The closing date for applications is 12.00pm on Monday, 3 June interviews will follow that week and the next.

Queen's Gate is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask shortlisted applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are

"spent" unless they are "protected" under the Disclosure and Barring Service (“DBS”) filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants, for which all such applicants will be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media accounts, as part of their application. Prior to employment commencing, successful

applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the DBS.

Successful applicants will also be required to produce evidence of qualifications, identity, and the right to work in the UK. Two references will be taken up, one of which will be with the most

recent employer. They will also be required to complete our Health Questionnaire.

All those working at Queen’s Gate share in our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people in our care. This will include completing regular training and maintaining a good awareness of key policies and procedures relating to our safeguarding duties. Where a role has specific or additional responsibilities in relation to safeguarding, this will be detailed within the job description.