Job Description
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Head of Music
Main Pay Scale/ Upper Pay Scale
TLR2B (£5,886 pa)
Full time
April/September 2026
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.
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 History 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 History, evaluating the quality of teaching and securing and sustaining effective teaching of History.
- To ensure all colleagues within the History 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 History department.
- To be accountable for the strategic direction, leadership and management of the History department, the development and implementation of History policies, plans, targets, and practices within the context of the school 's aims.
- To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, and sequenced History 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 History department to support the designated curriculum portfolio.
- To ensure the effective self-evaluation and progress of the History 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 History 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 History 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 History 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 History 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.
For further information and to apply please visit
https://mynewterm.com/jobs/136490/EDV-2025-WHSG-65652
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.