Job Description
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Commencing September 2025
Closing date: Tuesday 29th April 2025
Application Forms available www.shsg.org
We are seeking an inspirational and enthusiastic Head of Music to join our successful Creative and Performing Arts Faculty.
The ability to teach all Key Stages up to A Level is essential.
You will be leading the music department within a successful Creative and Performing Arts Faculty, which also includes Art, Drama and Design Technology. We value collaboration and innovation to create a rich and inspiring learning experience for all students. The department offers a strong extra and super-curricular programme, including ensembles, choirs, instrumental lessons, concerts, and musical productions. Students have opportunities to develop their performance and composition skills beyond the classroom, with regular performances at external venues and competitions. The department is equipped with specialist music classrooms, practice rooms, a recording area, and a suite of computers.
We offer music at both GCSE and A Level, with consistently strong results that reflect the dedication of both students and staff. In 2024, 100% of GCSE students achieved grades 9-7, with 85% securing grades 9 or 8.
As Head of Music, you will have the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of the department, develop the curriculum, and expand our extra-curricular offer. The role also includes working closely with peripatetic music teachers and external partners to enhance students' musical experiences. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and ambitious teacher to lead and develop a thriving music department.
The successful candidate should:
Be an inspirational classroom practitioner with an irresistible enthusiasm for their subject. As a reflective practitioner you will be constantly looking to develop your practice through collaboration, experimentation and hard work.
Be a motivational leader who can galvanise the team to deliver the very best experiences to our students
Be a team player working closely with the Director of Faculty to develop the experiences of music for all our students
Be creative and innovative constantly looking for new ways to challenge our high ability students across all Key Stages
Be able to further enhance the quality of education with the Music department by evaluating the quality of learning and teaching within the department, working with colleagues to devise and implement strategies to address areas of need and utilizing the school's performance management and CPD procedures appropriately.
Secure the highest standards of pupil progress and achievement within your department by implementing appropriate monitoring, tracking and intervention measures and supporting the team to carry out these measures.
The successful candidate may offer some, or all, of the following:
Extensive high level knowledge of music
Experience leading, and encouraging participation in, a wide variety of extra-curricular ensembles
Experience as a conductor and/or Musical Director for concerts and whole-school productions
Ability to teach Music Technology at A level
Ability to build effective relationships with pupils, parents, and staff
Confident grasp of relevant music software packages
Competent pianist
We can offer you:
Highly motivated, curious, and industrious students
A strong, highly qualified staff team and an ethos of tolerance and respect with a family community spirit
A commitment to ongoing professional development and staff wellbeing
An environment which promotes innovation
Southend High School for Girls is a highly successful and oversubscribed girl's grammar school rated
'outstanding' by Ofsted
This is an exciting time to join the school as it continues to move forward under the leadership of its Headteacher,
Mr Jason Carey
Please submit your application form and covering letter to recruitment@shsg.org
For all enquiries please contact Sinead Carter HR Assistant by e-mail at recruitment@shsg.org
Shortlisting TBC
Interviews to be held TBC
We reserve the right to call applicants to interview, and appoint, prior to the closing date
All staff at Southend High School for Girls have a responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check. This is a customer-facing role needing fluent spoken English.
Information about the School
“Pupils flourish and excel at Southend High School for Girls.”
– Ofsted, July 2024
Southend High School for Girls (SHSG) is an outstanding grammar school with academy status, proudly educating generations of students for over a century. We blend tradition with innovation, creating a dynamic learning environment where students are safe, happy, and successful.
Our school is a family-orientated community where pupils thrive. Students achieve exceptionally high outcomes and benefit from an ambitious curriculum and an exemplary careers education programme. As one pupil told Ofsted, “The school will literally help you do anything you want to do.”
We offer a vast range of clubs, trips, productions, and leadership opportunities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and World Challenge. Students are encouraged to lead and contribute, with many acting as ambassadors and house captains.
SHSG is proud to be a member of NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education), reflecting our commitment to stretching and challenging all learners. Our curriculum goes far beyond the National Curriculum, with students in Key Stage 3 studying three separate sciences and two languages, and engaging in ‘super-curricular’ tasks that promote independent research and critical thinking.
Staff are passionate, well-supported, and receive high-quality professional development. Our shared ethos of high expectations, mutual respect, and continuous improvement makes SHSG a truly special place to work.
If you are enthusiastic about education and excited to join a high-performing, caring school community, we warmly invite you to explore our current vacancies and consider becoming part of the SHSG family.