Head of Music

Job Description

THE STANWAY SCHOOL

HEAD OF MUSIC

Pay Range: Teachers Main/Upper Pay Scale + TLR 2B

Actual Salary from: £31,650 - £49,084 (M1-U3)

Start Date: 1st September 2025

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a qualified, enthusiastic and organised Head of Music to continue to lead a dynamic, supportive and successful team and to further develop the delivery of the 2 courses - GCSE Music and a vocational equivalent - at The Stanway School.

Lead our vibrant Music Department at Stanway, where you'll find purpose-built, modern classrooms equipped with two cutting-edge teaching spaces and a spacious ensemble room perfect for orchestras and larger groups. Benefit from a recent £40,000+ investment in a suite of Macs for each teaching space, unlocking exciting curriculum opportunities. Our facilities also include six dedicated practice rooms and a professional recording space. Drive a rich extracurricular program with numerous clubs, peripatetic opportunities, and regular performances, including our popular "Stanfest" outdoor festival, Christmas concerts, KS2 primary showcases, and ambitious musical theatre productions. With strong senior leadership team backing, you'll champion the arts and inspire the next generation of musicians.

At Stanway, students don't just succeed in the classroom. We offer a diverse range of clubs catering to various interests, from sports to board games. We also provide

exciting opportunities in music and drama, with regular performances, trips and visits for every year group. Through The Stanway Experience, all students have the

chance to travel abroad, participate in residentials, and engage in various cultural events.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive an overwhelming response.

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Taking overall responsibility for KS3 curriculum design and implementation, GCSE Music, and another vocational qualification for KS4
• Carrying out the functions of a teacher in accordance with the Teacher Standards and the stated aims and objectives of The Stanway School and the Department.
• To be accountable for the highest standards of pupil achievement within the Music Department, monitoring and evaluation of pupil achievement and setting targets for improvement.
• Maintaining/increasing current provision of extra-curricular clubs / trips.

(The full details can be found in the attached Job Outline and Person Specification).

We're looking for you if you have:

• Qualified Teacher Status
• A degree in the specialist subject
• The ability to teach great and inspiring lessons
• Experience of supporting staff and students in maintaining high standards

Why work for The Sigma Trust, The Stanway School?

We can offer you:

• A Competitive Salary
• Robust school CPD training programme that enables you to flourish
• Opportunities to work with colleagues across the Trust to share resources, ideas and build collaborative relationships

Employee benefits include:

• Excellent pension scheme
• A Health Cash Plan
• Free membership to Perkbox, offering discounts and savings
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free and confidential advice
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eye care plan
• Annual free flu vaccination
• Discounted gym membership at selected local gyms
• Discounted cinema tickets
• Eligible for Blue Light Card

Please note that an integration period applies to all new staff joining the Trust, to support introduction into the organisation.

Additional Information:

For additional information about the Trust and this school, please visit our website www.sigmatrust.org.uk

To Apply

To apply for this post, please follow the URL link provided below:

https://careers.sigmatrust.org.uk/Apply/U2l0b7f2nbWEgQXBwbGljYXRpb24gRm9ybSBOb3ZlbWJlciAyMDIzfDQxfDY4MTI3NnwxfHxGYWxzZXwyMTIyfDM4Mjk1ODR8MA%3d%3d?i=2VnYB97KFWQ%3d

Please note that only fully completed application forms will be accepted and any CV's and accompanying covering letters will be disregarded. A Notes for Applicants document is attached for further information.

Closing date: Midnight, Friday 21st March 2025

Shortlisting will take place on Monday 24th March 2025

Interviewing will take place on Monday 31st March 2025

The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision 'To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts', where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.

Information about the School

About The Stanway School The Stanway School is a heavily over-subscribed 11-16 comprehensive school with over 1,300 students currently on roll, the vast majority of whom live in Stanway and the surrounding villages to the west of Colchester. The school is a specialist school in Humanities and Maths & Computing. We have undertaken a huge rebuilding programme and the Creative Arts block, the latest phase of our expansion project, opened in September 2018. By 2021, all year groups will be full with 280 students following this expansion of the school buildings. This is an exciting time to join an already successful school that is looking to continually improve practice: staff are enthusiastic and many take part in voluntary research groups into key areas of school life; students are well-behaved and achieve results above expectation; the culture of the school is calm and purposeful. In March 2012 The Stanway School converted to an academy and in September 2016 joined the newly formed Sigma Trust, a partnership of schools located in North East Essex covering both Colchester and Tendring.

Jonathan Bland Headteacher The Stanway School

Safeguarding The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.