Teacher of Music

  Teacher of Music

This is an exciting opportunity for an inspiring Teacher of Music to oversee and develop Pre-Prep music, and be part of our strong performing arts team here at The Beacon. You would be teaching across Early Years, KS1 and some KS2, and an ability to play the piano is essential and an interest in drama would be an advantage. Above all, you would have a love of teaching music to the very youngest boys at The Beacon, and take pride in watching them develop their ability in music. 

The Beacon is a large prep school for boys aged between 4 and 13, set on a 16 acre site near Amersham, some 30 minutes from London by train, with superb facilities and resources that support a forward-looking educational environment. The school has invested in an advanced wireless environment to support teaching and learning, and offers a very positive, happy working environment that is sharply focused upon the needs of the pupils. 

The Beacon enjoys a tradition of outstanding musical achievement with more than 70% of boys learning an instrument, over 30 peripatetic staff and over 400 lessons of individual lessons of music and drama taught each week. The department is busy and very high standards are maintained with all boys passing grade exams, some at high levels.  Boys are prepared for Music Scholarships to senior independent schools and the school has a proud tradition of awards, including a Music Exhibition to Eton College this year. The Beacon has a high level of commitment to music with a purpose built department that includes eight tuition rooms, a large music teaching room and a Music Technology Suite with nineteen Mac computers. There is a strong culture of performing arts in the school.

This exciting appointment will be of interest to a person who has a passion for their subject, and enjoys working with younger boys and who would like to be a part of a vibrant performing arts department. 

The main areas of responsibility are:

Academic

· Together with the Head of Performing Arts, to prepare and develop schemes of work for their classes

· To deliver class music and singing throughout the Pre-Prep (Reception to Year 2) and teach some lower KS2 music classes

· To deliver Music and Movement sessions to Reception classes, and run a weekly hymn practice

· To assess boys’ work and progress in line with the school and departmental policies and to record assessments in a clear and informative manner

· To report progress to parents at parents’ meetings, through interim grades and in written reports

· To work closely in a team with other teachers and assistants, the Head of Performing Arts, the Head of Pre-Prep, and all members of the School Leadership Team

· To liaise with the staff in the Learning Support Unit to ensure that the needs of all boys with SEN are met 

· To maintain records and notes on academic issues in the electronic profiling system

· To encourage and stimulate the boys to achieve excellence in all their endeavours and to expect high standards

Pastoral

• To look after the well-being and pastoral needs of the boys in their classes
• To reinforce the aims of the school
• To monitor closely the behaviour of the boys in their classes and deal with any inappropriate behaviour, in consultation with the Head of Performing Arts and Head of Pre-Prep if necessary
• To encourage and reward the boys for good behaviour, using a variety of different and appropriate methods
• To communicate effectively and regularly with parents and other staff
• To liaise with the Head of Performing Arts and the Head of Pre-Prep, where necessary, and to liaise with the School Counsellor, where necessary
• To maintain records and notes on pastoral issues in the electronic profiling system

Departmental

• To work closely with the Head of Performing Arts to ensure that all departmental requirements are being met
• To keep the Head of Performing Arts informed of any issues arising concerning boys in the class or their parents
• To attend staff meetings, Parents’ Evenings, INSET sessions and curriculum meetings that are relevant to the department, including ‘twilight’ sessions
• To liaise with other teachers in the department in order to ensure effective continuity at the end of the year
• To review resources and make requests for items as part of the annual budget bidding process

Additional Duties

· To undertake break time and lunchtime duties on a rota basis

· To supervise boys during assemblies 

· To assist with the organisation and running of trips and events when necessary

· To contribute to the music clubs and also run the Little Voices singing club

· To lead preparations for the Pre-Prep Harvest Festival, Christmas productions, concerts and events

· Any other such duties as required for the smooth running of the school 

In all areas of school life, staff are expected to lead by example and demonstrate and uphold the values that we wish the boys to learn.