The Music department, as part of the Performing Arts faculty, comprises of 2 full-time teachers and 1 part-time teacher, including a Curriculum Leader and a Music Technician. Our teachers are all passionate and skilled with our own area of expertise. We work collaboratively to support each other both with the demands of our work and our wellbeing.

Music is a valued subject in the school and is a popular KS4 Option both at GCSE and BTEC level. We are also running a KS5 course in Digital Music Production. The successful candidate will be able to teach KS4 in at least one of these specialist areas, across a wide range of abilities and be an inspirational practitioner.

At KS3, in Year 7 and 8, students receive one hour of music a week. Students develop their knowledge, understanding and practical skills in line with the National Curriculum and enjoy a diverse and engaging curriculum full of musical exploration, practical opportunities, and skills development. The successful candidate will be confident in delivering at this level in all areas.

At KS4, our students currently follow OCR GCSE Music and BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice.

The successful candidate will have a passion about learning, be an excellent teacher, and have great subject knowledge with both theory and practical aspects of music. A proficiency in the teaching and use of music technology is preferred, but not essential as training can be provided.

The Music department consists of 3 specialist music classroom which are extremely well resourced with a multitude of instruments. Each classroom has 18 keyboards permanently set up. Each classroom also has 25 new iMacs which we run Garageband and Logic Pro X. Music making, ensemble work and singing is at our core especially at KS3. We also have 5 practice rooms and a recording studio as part of our provision.

The use of music technology and DAW sequencing is used from Year 7 upwards.

Extra-Curricular music is well attended at AVA. We have 7 visiting peripatetic staff who teach a large range of instruments. We have regular concerts and performance opportunities throughout the year and an annual school production. The successful candidate will be invested in contributing to the continuing growth of extra-curricular music at AVA and be able to lead and support on this. They will also be expected to teach some Drama.

The successful candidate will value developing key employability and life skills such as analysing evidence, considering impact, critical thinking, research, reciprocation and value developing literacy.

Quotations from the Ofsted visit May 2024: 

• "Staff feel positive about the school's approach to workload." 
• "Leaders and governors prioritise making the school's improvement sustainable. As a result, everyone within the school is committed to achieving success for pupils."
• "Pupils of all ages enjoy their time at school here. They are polite and courteous."
• "The school is ambitious for every pupil to learn and achieve."
• "Pupils achieve well and perform well in national tests and examinations."
• "Pupils' conduct supports the learning ethos of the school."
• "Staff set clear boundaries for how pupils are expected to behave."

Prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible as the school reserves the right to close the advert should we feel able to appoint an appropriate candidate.

Our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children will be reflected throughout the recruitment process and the successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and an online screening check.