Head of Music

Greenshaw Learning Trust is a highly successful Multi Academy Trust that provides excellent quality, comprehensive, non-selective and inclusive education through primary schools and secondary schools. Our schools are based in London, Surrey, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Plymouth. We also have three shared service hubs with remote / hybrid working opportunities where appropriate. We are building a family of like-minded schools that collaborate to provide mutual support, share their good practice and learn from each other, whilst retaining and developing their own distinctive character. We thrive from collaboration at every level. We encourage a culture of sharing ideas and learning from one another. As a Trust of schools, we are ‘Always Learning’.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate Music Teacher to join Greenshaw High School and become the lead member of the Music Department.

Due to the structure of our music department no previous department leadership experience is required for this post.

About the Music Department

The role of leading the curriculum in Music is a critical one to the success of the school. The post holder should have the highest ambitions for learning across the department, and show a commitment to Music as an important part of students’ lives, both inside and outside of school.

We teach music to all pupils in Key Stage 3, and offer a GCSE music course. We host peripatetic teachers from the Sutton Music Service who teach a range of instruments. We have an annual music concert in the summer term, as well as pupils playing music at the start of every assembly. Alongside our other work developing the skills and performance there are further opportunities for the right candidate to build a school choir, or other ensembles, in what is increasingly being a pupil demographic that contains young people developing their music skills outside of school, sometimes to very high levels.

The music department currently has a keyboard suite and practice room, as well as a range of Apple editing facilities. These have been factored in with a like for like replacement in the temporary facilities, and with the new build there is capacity for additional investment. Put simply, we would love our music offer to continue to develop and - within reason! - would seek to ensure that resources would never block this ambition.

Main Responsibilities 

The main duties and responsibilities will include:

• To lead the curriculum development of music throughout the school;

• To ensure that challenging programmes of study are in place to meet the needs of all students and that these are informed by the Principles of Great Teaching. Procedures should be in place to regularly review these programmes in light of lessons learned;

• To embed the school’s Principles of Great Assessment by developing and maintaining the systematic use of formative assessment that informs teaching and learning;

• To embed the school’s Principles of Great Assessment by developing and maintaining valid and reliable forms of summative assessment that ensure inferences about student learning are as accurate as possible;

• To monitor and evaluate the progress of all students in Music to ensure that different groups of learners are making appropriate levels of progress and to take steps to address areas of concern as soon as possible;

• To make sure that the highest standards of behaviour in lessons and around the school are being consistently maintained as defined by the Behaviour Policy;

• To develop a common understanding and practice of the Principles of Great Teaching and ensure that these are used to evaluate the quality of teaching and learning;

• To keep up to date records of the strengths and areas for development for individuals and the department, and to provide appropriate professional development to meet these needs via Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy;

• To administer all tasks necessary for the proper functioning of the department, including the monitoring and use of resources, the placing of orders, record-keeping and the organisation of examinations;

• To be responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the department’s facilities, including the teaching classrooms, the resources and set texts;

• To develop cross-curricular links as and when appropriate, such as through the use of direct vocabulary instruction and building students’ academic background knowledge through extended reading;

• To share in the development of whole school polices and to support their implementation.

• Undertake the role of form tutor;

• Commit to and support the school’s policy and practice in relation to safeguarding and child protection

• Undertake such duties and responsibilities as may be reasonably requested by the Headteacher in accordance with the relevant Pay and Conditions document

What’s in it for you:

• Professional development and career progression
• Generous pension scheme
• An Employee Assistance Programme
• Gym Discounts
• Free eye tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Green car scheme
• Being part of a great team and expanding organisation

Please download the recruitment pack for further information.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 29th September 2024. We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date.

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone can thrive.

If you require any support or adjustments to interact with us, please let us know. Greenshaw Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment.