Director of Music, Starting September 2024, Part Time (3 days per week)

This is an opportunity to join our friendly and dynamic school where all can thrive, and staff are highly valued.

As Director of Music, you will support our vision to ensure music is an exciting, vibrant part of school life. Leading our musical community, teaching boys from Reception to Year 8, overseeing the running of the department and managing the music curriculum throughout the school.

The successful candidate will:

• Have an Honours degree in music with QTS or PGCE Training.
• Have excellent keyboard skills
• Be an outstanding classroom practitioner and demonstrate differentiated teaching strategies and monitoring and evaluating procedures relating to pupils’ work.
• Demonstrate strong organisational skills and be an excellent communicator.
• Have experience of preparing pupils for music scholarships, exams, auditions or performances.
• Be a good manager of people showing understanding and compassion while being clear with strategy and decisions.
• Have an understanding of a variety of different instruments and be able to enthuse and excite children to learn and play instruments of all types.
• Be an experienced director of orchestra, choir and ensembles with the ability to conduct and manage rehearsals and performances.
• Have evidence of a commitment to their professional development.
• Have evidence of ICT confidence and competence.
• Have a clear understanding of and commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of children.

Key roles and responsibilities:

Oversee the development of Music in the whole school from Reception to Year 8.

Be involved in the interviewing of peripatetic teachers (VMTs), managing and liaising with them on a daily basis regarding the rota of lessons and ensuring their compliance documentation is up to date.

Oversee the organisation and running of the Associated Board Examinations, in so far as they involve Tower House pupils; ensuring that peripatetic staff are made aware of dates as early as possible, that each pupil knows when to attend and that he is supported by appropriate accompanist.

Take responsibility for the organisation and planning of concerts and other musical events including the harvest festival, remembrance service, nativity, carol service, creative arts concert, summer celebration, open mornings, small scale specific instrumental concerts and speech day.

Play the piano for assemblies and organise rehearsals for choir, orchestra and swing band. Supporting class assemblies by offering advice to class teachers and offering appropriate resources and attending rehearsals.

Develop participation in the school orchestra, choir and swing band and to lead and manage these and other musical groups. Actively promoting interest in the subject outside the timetabled confines of the department, through special events, clubs, courses, activities etc.,

Promote music throughout the school and encourage enjoyment through wide participation in the learning of individual instruments.

Order and organise resources within the confines of the allocated budget; taking responsibility for the storage and safe handling of equipment and materials.

Have excellent classroom management; establishing and maintaining a good standard of behaviour through well-focused teaching and positive, productive relationships.

Write progress reports for each taught subject, for each pupil, at the end of the academic year.

Establish a strong partnership with pupils, parents, and staff.

Have a passion for learning and developing your own development.

Have excellent communication skills with pupils, parents, and staff.

Maintain a safe environment that supports learning, where pupils feel secure.

To critically evaluate own teaching for ongoing effectiveness and improvement; keeping up-to-date with subject development and to take part in relevant CPD for this purpose, disseminating to other staff where appropriate.

Being Part of the THS community:

Tower House is a very close knit community and our relationship with our parents, neighbours and local business is vitally important. We expect a candidate to:

•  Play a full and committed part in the THS Community: leading assemblies and taking extra-curricular activities both musical and non-musical.
• Participate in the general day to day activities of the school as a whole and undertake a share of staff duties.
• Attend assemblies, whole school staff meetings, parents’ evenings, Open Days, and INSET days
• Support pupils and colleagues by attending a range of school productions, functions, and charity events
• Cover for absent colleagues
• Be proactive in matters relating to health and safety
• Attend occasional evening or weekend events. 

Staff benefits:

In our experience, happy staff make a happy school. Our staff are our single biggest asset and the success of our students depends on them, so we take care of and invest in them. A few of the things we offer are:

• Professional learning teams – like minded colleagues meeting to discuss how to improve practice.
• Generous non-contact time in your timetable
• Generous pay
• Generous Pension Scheme contributions
• A supportive and open leadership team
• Free school meals, tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the teaching year.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Eye care voucher scheme – all members of staff are eligible for a free eye test.

 We really value our staff and will do whatever we can to meaningfully demonstrate that.

Applications will be considered as they are submitted. The School reserves the right to commence or complete the recruitment process at any time prior to the closing date so early application is recommended.

Prior to interview, an online search will be conducted to identify any past or current incidents or issues that might affect your suitability to work with children and undertake this role. This is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Please note this online search will be carried out only on publicly available information and limited to issues relating to your suitability to work with children and/or in a school.

Tower House School is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and with the Disclosure and Barring Service.