Director of Music

This is an opportunity to apply for the post of Director of Music in an outstanding Catholic school with a long and proud tradition, which has consistently adapted and developed to meet the needs and ambitions of its pupils and parents.

It is the only Catholic secondary Cathedral Choir school in England; all of the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Choristers (boy choristers, girl choristers, Youth Choir for retired choristers) are educated at St Edward’s College or its sister primary school (adjacent), Runnymede St Edward’s Catholic Primary School. The school is in membership of the Choir Schools Association.

St Edward’s also has special DfE permission to select 20% of its intake on the basis of musical aptitude (this includes the Cathedral Choristers). The Choristers form the second most prestigious professional Catholic Choir in the country, after Westminster Cathedral Choir. The Cathedral has its own music staff, with whom the Director of Music (DoM) will liaise and co-operate closely and collaboratively so that music is well-served in both Cathedral and school. Relations between Cathedral and school are excellent.

The school has played an important role in Catholic education in the City of Liverpool since the mid-19th Century. Founded in 1853 as the Catholic Institute by Fr James Nugent, it was taken over by the Congregation of Christian Brothers in 1902 and remains in their trusteeship; although they are no longer involved in the teaching or day-to-day management of the College. In 1920 the school was renamed St Edward’s College and in 1938 moved to our present extensive site in West Derby. In 1947 it became a Direct Grant Grammar school, switching to Independent status under the Assisted Places scheme in 1979. In 1991 the College became fully co-educational after a period of admitting girls to the Sixth Form, and to enable it to serve more fully the City and Archdiocese of Liverpool, it moved into the Maintained sector as a Grant Maintained school in 1997. For the last nine years it has been an Academy. The College has been the Cathedral Choir School of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral since 1974 and has developed the Cathedral’s first Girls’ Choir which shares liturgical choral duties with the Boys’ Choir. 

The College has an enviable reputation not only in Liverpool but also in the wider education world for its academic achievement, its sporting success in many disciplines and the quality of its music education. Most importantly, it is renowned for the young adults it produces who are aware of their own potential as unique individuals but even more aware of their responsibility to others. This is well illustrated by our alumni who are prominent in so many fields and examples of whom can be found on the College website. Their appreciation is illustrated by their willingness to be involved in many aspects of College life and their support for regular Alumni events.

We are looking for an outstanding candidate who can build on our current success, retain links with our traditions and maintain our position as an outstanding school confident of moving into the future and facing whatever challenges the changing education landscape brings. We are seeking an experienced, innovative, highly professional and capable musician to take our music provision (both curricular, extra-curricular and in its relationship with the Cathedral) to new heights of excellence; in range, quality and outcomes. Our new DoM will be a person of considerable ambition and drive, with excellent organisational, teaching and inter-personal skills. 

In return we can offer you a wonderful pupil body who are confident and hardworking; a staff who are experienced and dedicated to the success of St Edward’s College and always ready to “go the extra mile”; a supportive Governing body who bring a wide range of experience to their role; and parents who appreciate the excellence of the education their children are receiving and who are supportive of the College.

The Director of Music is responsible for teaching and learning in all subject areas within the Faculty. This is therefore a very important post for the academic life at St Edward’s College. The Director of Music is the champion and guardian of Music, is the chief leader of improvement, and is committed to high standards and collegial working.

The Director of Music will ensure that the content, tone and methodology of the teaching of the subject/s within the faculty are in harmony with the Catholic ethos of the College. 

The successful candidate will be:

• An experienced and enthusiastic musician with the ability to teach up to and including A Level, with track-record of excellence in this sphere.

 • Well qualified, enthusiastic, innovative and passionate about the study of Music.

• Willing to develop the particularly valuable extra-curricular side of Music at St Edward's College.

St Edward’s places great importance on developing and challenging its staff. There will be significant opportunities for you to demonstrate your ability to lead – we are looking to appoint a Director of Music who demonstrates outstanding potential and aspiration, both for the students and him/herself.

More in-depth information and details of 'how to apply' can be found in the Recruitment Brochure.

Applications will be accepted directly to 23 April 2021.