Katherine Warington School is seeking to appoint an exceptional Head of Music to lead and develop our thriving Music provision. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious, committed and creative teacher to shape the future of Music within a growing and dynamic Performing Arts Faculty.

We are looking for a subject leader who is passionate about high-quality Music education, able to inspire students of all abilities, and eager to contribute to the wider cultural life of the school.

The main purpose of this role is to ensure high standards of achievement in the subject and to lead teaching and learning within the curriculum so that students make appropriate progress for their stage. To carry out this role effectively you need to be aware of, and support, the vision, aims and ethos of the school, enabling every student to make outstanding progress whatever their starting point.  

Key accountabilities:

• Lead the continued evolution of Music across KS3 and KS4 with the aim of ensuring that standards of attainment meet the school’s high expectations 

• Lead the introduction, development and building of KS5 Music

• Work closely with and support the Head of Performing Arts in driving faculty-wide improvement.

• Oversee and lead the Music extra-curricular programme, including ensembles, choirs, bands and concerts (with support from the Head of Faculty and wider Performing Arts team). 

• Coordinate the day-to-day organisation of the peripatetic timetable, ensuring smooth scheduling, communication and rooming. (The Head of Performing Arts manages the peri staffing, finance and contractual elements.)

• Ensure high expectations of progress, behaviour and engagement in Music lessons.

• Use assessment and data intelligently to plan for progress and raise student achievement in line with school policy and practice 

• Promote a positive Music culture across the school and contribute to whole-school events, productions and performances.

• Develop innovative approaches to the curriculum in order to ensure appropriate access and achievement for all learners 

• Monitor the work of the department, holding members of your team to account on their roles and responsibilities 

• Prepare the departmental development plans to reflect departmental priorities and school’s development plan 

• Lead curriculum development within the subject and act as a source of advice, guidance and authority on the subject within the school 

• Establish and maintain a climate within the subject which is inclusive, safe and secure, and where positive behaviour and regular attendance are learned and taught by all 

• Devise and implement schemes of work for all subject courses in each Key Stage, ensuring that these support good learning and student progress 

• Manage informal and formal assessment within the subject, implementing school assessment policies and leading the use of assessment information to enable teachers to set appropriate progress targets and review and evaluate student progress 

• Contribute to the selection for appointment and professional development of teachers and support staff including the induction and assessment of new and newly qualified teachers to work in the department. Through excellent practice, well developed teaching skills and curriculum knowledge, provide coaching and mentoring support for colleagues in the subject area 

• Manage the budget allocation for the subject area, ensuring that resources are deployed to support student progress 

• Ensure that each external examination syllabus is appropriate, and that the specification(s) are known and understood by all staff teaching the course and to liaise with the exams officer as necessary 

The key accountabilities of the post outline the main areas of the role; they are not a comprehensive list of tasks to be undertaken.

Professional Standards 

1. Support the aim of the school and endeavour to promote our development as a learning community 

2. Set a good example to students in terms of appropriate dress, standards of punctuality and attendance 

3. Promote the aims of the school by attendance at and participation in events such as open evenings and options evenings 

4. Take responsibility for your professional development and participate in staff training when provided 

5. Participate in school and department evaluation and programme for monitoring teaching and learning 

6. Undertake duties as prescribed within school policies 

7. Ensure that all deadlines are met as published in the school calendar 

8. Be proactive and take responsibility for matters relating to Health and Safety 

9. To line manage your department including recruitment; induction; training and development; 1-1 meetings; appraisal meetings; absence management; performance and conduct, liaising with HR as necessary

Review of duties 

The specific duties attached to any teacher are subject to annual review and may, after discussion with the Headteacher, be changed. 

We Can Offer: 

• A forward-thinking, supportive Performing Arts Faculty with a clear improvement plan and strong leadership structure.

• A growing school with passionate students who value the arts.

• Excellent facilities including specialist music room fitted with iMacs with Logic Pro, practice rooms and a main hall/ theatre space

• 5 Peripatetic music  Staff with over 60 students currently in Peripatetic music lessons

• Opportunities to lead concerts, performances and collaborate on school productions with the Performing Arts Team.

• A culture of ongoing professional development and leadership growth.

Person Specification