Head of Music (Maternity Cover - 1 Year Fixed Term)

Job Description

Head of Music (Maternity Cover- 1 Year fixed term)

Main Pay Scale/ Upper Pay Scale

TLR2B (£5,361 pa)

Full time

September 2024

We are seeking a passionate Music Teacher who is looking to gain leadership experience or an existing Middle Leader who would like a new challenge working within a thriving music department alongside a cohort of outstanding young musicians.

The Music Department

Westcliff High School for Girls places great value and importance upon a good musical education. The resources and
accommodation for Music are excellent and we are based in our own purpose-built facility.
Music in the Curriculum
All pupils have the opportunity of fully developing their musical potential, whether as performers, composers or informed
listeners.
All pupils study Music in Year 7, 8 and 9 once a week, exploring a wide variety of musical styles through listening,
composing, and performing. The lessons adopt a creative and practical approach, in order that pupils learn about the subject
through direct experience and gain an appreciation for a wide range of genres and cultures.
GCSE Music and A level Music are both popular choices of subject with many pupils continuing their study of Music at
University or Music College. At Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11), students delve into the depths of music history and theory and
develop important skills in composition and performance. The three components - performing, composing, and appraising -
are all interrelated, and students develop their knowledge and understanding of the four areas of study through a variety of
musical contexts, elements, and language: Musical Forms and Devices, Music for Ensemble, Film Music, and Popular
Music.
In Year 12 (KS5), students study the Eduqas AS Music qualification, following onto the full A2 qualification in Year 13. There
is also the option to study for an addition AS qualification in Music Technology over 2 years.
Musical Instrument Tuition
Over 10% of our pupils take part in school-based Music tuition. Lessons from peripatetic staff are available on the full range
of orchestral instruments, including percussion, as well as piano, classical, bass and electric guitar, drum kit and singing.
Concerts
The Department has an extremely busy extra-curricular timetable. In the Autumn Term the Music Department hosts a Live
Lounge and Winter Concert, which showcases the Department's many ensembles and talented soloists as well as a Carol
Service at a local church. The Department is also involved in performing at numerous festive events around the Christmas
period including Carols in the Afternoon for the Mayor. The Spring Term is focused around the annual whole school
production and House Music competition. A Summer showcase is held towards the end of the school year and, in addition to
this, there are also A level recitals.
Music Technology
Across the two Music classrooms, there are 28 Apple iMacs with access to Sibelius Ultimate, Logic Pro X and GarageBand.
There is also a fully equipped recording studio with facilities for recording various types of performances.
Stage Productions
Music is a prominent feature of dramatic productions, in the form of both incidental music for plays and the presentation of
fully staged musicals. The productions feature state of the art sound and lighting and are of the very highest caliber and
NODA award winning. Recent productions have included Sister Act, 9 to 5, Little Shop of Horrors and Legally Blonde the
Musical. Our production of Legally Blonde the Musical and 9 to 5 were listed as finalists for the NODA East Region Best
Youth Production and Little Shop of Horrors was the winner of this category.
Ensembles & Choirs
Numerous ensembles meet weekly, enabling participants to develop their musicianship skills as fully as possible. Ensembles
include:
Jazz Band (advanced)
Big Little Band (beginners)
Woodwind Ensemble
String Ensemble
Ukulele Ensemble
Gospel Choir
Westcliff Singers (Years 9-13)
Junior Choir (Years 7 & 8)
WHSGlee (Musical Theatre)

JOB DESCRIPTION

VISION AND PURPOSE

• To liaise with colleagues within Westcliff High School for Girls and within the South East Essex Academy Trust to support strategic development, share good practice and plan collaborative activities.
• Uphold the school's values of Scholarship, Leadership, Enrichment, and Kindness.
• Ensure high quality teaching across the department.
• Raise student attainment.
• Maximise the learning experiences and achievement of students.
• Monitor and report on student progress.
• Plan and contribute to activities within the department.
• Undertake the role of Form Tutor, as required.
• Play a full part in the school and ensure that the vision and values of the school and the trust are upheld at all time.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• To be accountable for the highest standards of student achievement across the Music department by monitoring, supporting and evaluating pupil achievement and setting targets for improvement.
• To be accountable for leading, developing and enhancing the teaching practice of all teachers of Music, evaluating the quality of teaching and securing and sustaining effective teaching of Music.
• To ensure all colleagues within the Music department adapt lessons for students with SEND needs in relation to their IEP or via guidance given by the SENDCo.
• To lead the development of appropriate syllabi, resources, schemes of work, marking policies, assessment and teaching and learning strategies in the Music department.
• To be accountable for the strategic direction, leadership and management of the Music department, the development and implementation of Music policies, plans, targets, and practices within the context of the school 's aims.
• To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, and sequenced Music curriculum that enables all students to make significant progress.
• To effectively line-manage and deploy teaching and support staff, and financial and physical resources within the Music department to support the designated curriculum portfolio.
• To ensure the effective self-evaluation and progress of the Music department in line with the School Development Plan.
• Lead and encourage staff to take active responsibility for their professional development within the department.
• Liaise with other middle leaders and teachers to share and collaborate in approaches that will support success across departments.
• Work with the Assistant Headteacher responsible for the area of Music to ensure that the performance of staff is reviewed and celebrated, and that under-performance is addressed using informal and formal mechanisms.
• To keep up to date with national developments in Music teaching practices and methodology.
• To make appropriate arrangements for classes during staff absence.
• To participate in the interview process for teaching posts when required and to ensure effective induction of new staff in line with school procedures.
• To be responsible for the day-to-day management of staff within the Music department and act as a positive role model.
• To promote teamwork and to motivate staff to ensure effective working relations.
• To ensure the Behaviour Management Policy is implemented in the Music department so that effective learning can take place and provide support to colleagues where necessary.
• To monitor pupil attendance together with pupils' progress and performance in relation to targets set for each individual; ensuring that follow-up procedures are adhered to, and that appropriate action is taken where necessary.
• To participate in the school's ITT programme.
• To play a full part in the life of the school community, to support its distinctive mission and ethos and to encourage staff and students to follow this example.

TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach assigned students, ensuring a high-quality learning experience for all.
• Plan and prepare curriculum lessons in conjunction with school and departmental requirements and policies, including external syllabus requirements.
• Assist in the development of curriculum plans, syllabi, resources, schemes of work, and policies.
• Set and mark work in accordance with the school's assessment and marking procedures.
• Contribute to the review and quality assurance of curriculum plans as directed by senior leaders in the school.
• Contribute to the school and departmental improvement plans and their implementation.
• Maintain student records through the school's assessment procedures and use these to inform teaching.
• Where necessary, liaise with colleagues to ensure effective provision e.g. coteachers, associate support staff, trainee teachers.
• Communicate effectively with parents when required including during parent's consultation evenings.
• Collaborate and work with colleagues and other relevant professionals within and beyond the school effectively to promote a high quality of education for all students.
• Where necessary, collaborate with persons or bodies outside the school and participate in meetings arranged for the purposes of pupil progress.
• Initiate any necessary interventions to enable students to progress, including where relevant operating in line with a student's Individual Education Plan.
• Proactively seek opportunities to develop professional practice through further training opportunities.
• Undertake the role of form tutor, as required including the delivery of PDE resources.
• Liaise with school and Pastoral Leaders to ensure implementation of the school's pastoral system, for example strategies to promote attendance and behaviour.
• To participate in the life of the House System.
• Comply with any reasonable request from the Headteacher or other school leader to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

Information about the School

Westcliff High School for Girls is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects its entire staff to share this commitment. All post-holders working in our schools will be considered to work in Regulated Activity and will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance all shortlisted candidates may be subject to online searches that may include social media. For further information please contact HR@seeat.org.