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Choral and Liturgical Music Director

Choral and Liturgical Music Director

Downside School

Somerset

  • Expired
Salary:
Competitive salary
Job type:
Full Time, Part Time, Permanent
Apply by:
11 October 2024

Job overview

Choral and Liturgical Music Director

The Choral and Liturgical Music Director at Downside school is responsible for overseeing all aspects of choral and liturgical music at Downside School, particularly the Schola Cantorum, the choir of the Abbey Church. The role involves the planning, preparation, and performance of music for school Masses and other liturgical celebrations, as well as fostering a love for sacred music among pupils and developing their vocal and musical talents.

As an experienced Teacher you will teach part time within the curriculum across the age range, which may include exam classes. You will help to promote Music by means of academic enrichment and enjoy seeking opportunities to develop teaching and learning within the subject.

Please be aware, we are also advertising for a Director of Performing Arts. Only one appointment will be made from these two roles, based on the skills and experience of the successful candidate. We will also consider a part-time working arrangement for the right candidate. Please indicate your preference on the application form.

We are looking for someone who:

  • has a passion for Music, and has demonstrable experience in choir management, co-ordination of liturgical music, and leading congregational singing.
  • has a familiarity with Catholic liturgical repertoire and traditions, and an appreciation of the ethos of a Catholic and Benedictine boarding school.
  • enjoys engaging with pupils outside of the classroom, for example helping to deliver our co-curricular programme and tutor responsibilities, which are a requirement of the role.
  • engenders an atmosphere within lessons which is conducive to active learning and encourages pupils to learn collaboratively.
  • is dynamic, creative, and inspirational, motivating pupils to strive for the best.
  • demonstrates excellent Music subject knowledge and who is committed to their own professional development.

We can offer:

  • a competitive pay scale.
  • a free employee assistance programme.
  • a supportive, skilled, and innovative staff team.
  • an inspiring, intellectually rewarding work environment.
  • pupils with highly developed social skills and self-confidence.
  • plenty of opportunities for CPD, and pastoral and wider-curricular involvement.
  • an excellent catering facility, which offers all our staff a complimentary lunch.
  • complimentary access to onsite leisure facilities including indoor swimming pool, gym and squash courts.

Closing date for applications: Friday 11 October (9:00am)

Interviews will take place shortly after the closing date.

To Apply

Please visit our website at Working at Downside - Downside School where you can download a job description.

Please complete your application through our applicant tracking system, CV Minder.

Applications must be completed in full to include full employment history, education history and contact details for referees to cover the last 5 years of employment.

Online applications are encouraged, alternatively, you can call us on 01761 235100 or email hr@downside.co.uk to request an application form.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Downside is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, and one of England's oldest and most distinguished Catholic schools. The School is situated at the foot of the Mendip Hills, twelve miles south of the city of Bath.

Downside School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be DBS checked. We strive to be an equal opportunities employer. Registered Company No. 11751009 and Registered Charity No: 1184700

Attached documents

About Downside School

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  • Downside School
  • Stratton On The Fosse, Radstock, Bath
  • Somerset
  • BA3 4RJ
  • United Kingdom
+44 1761 235100

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A clear and positive attitude to learning permeates the whole school, enabled by excellent relationships between staff and pupils’ and that our pupils are ‘enthusiastic and highly motivated learners, able to work independently’. Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)

At Downside, we are committed to working in partnership with families and to providing an environment which nurtures young people of integrity who can think for themselves, stand up for their beliefs, and act to make a positive difference in the world.

Founded in 1606 and based just 25 minutes from the famous World Heritage City of Bath, we are a forward-thinking independent school and one of England's oldest and most distinguished Catholic schools. Our vision is to be a bright light in the world of education, illuminating the lives of young people and inspiring service in the world through experience of Benedictine culture. It enables pupils and staff to develop their own identity through experience of a community with Christ as its centre.

The School is set in 500 acres of beautiful English countryside with extensive facilities including an indoor swimming pool, a Mac Suite dedicated to music, a 24/7 Health Centre, and a Performing Arts Centre housing a 400-seat Theatre, a Recording Studio, a print screen room and a Mac suite for art.

We are uncompromising in the pursuit of academic excellence. We aim for the highest standards in our extensive and exciting co-curricular programme with over 100 activities, and we provide plentiful and varied opportunities for service and leadership.

The School endeavours, in addition, to provide our pupils with what may be referred to as a sense of ‘the poetry of life’, a sense of its beauty, form, mystery and joy. Everyone who comes here remarks on the happy atmosphere. It is truly a remarkable, inspiring place.

Please visit our website to find out more about our School: www.downside.co.uk/working-with-us

TEACHING AT DOWNSIDE

We are committed to high academic standards and constant development of the quality of teaching and learning. We have a Quality Assurance cycle, which allows us to monitor the quality of teaching and learning through lesson observations, learning walks and pupil feedback. Our tracking and monitoring systems are rigorous so that all pupils are supported in their learning, and colleagues are supported in their teaching.

Working at Downside is a truly rewarding experience. In keeping with our Benedictine ethos, Downside is a welcoming, caring community where each person is valued. Pupils are highly motivated, keen to learn and respectful of staff and their peers.

Our Induction Programme is comprehensive and fully supportive of all new staff, including the provision of training, where necessary. We are keen to support ambitious teachers, and CPD opportunities for individuals are identified in Faculty Development Plans and prioritised. Downside School is a member of the Canford Group, which includes most of the main independent schools in the South West. We are also closely linked with the other Benedictine Schools in England and Ireland. We expect all teachers to engage fully in co-curricular activities and the boarding life of the school.

At Downside, staff enjoy teaching polite and well-educated pupils, unique surroundings, and benefit from a generous salary scale, complimentary lunch and extended School holidays. Although it is difficult to quantify the hours which any individual Teacher may devote to their work in order to carry out their professional duties in a boarding school, the following guidance may be helpful:

The School timetable is taught Monday-Friday, and two periods on a Saturday morning, plus a 35 minute period of SMSC, followed by matches and activities in the afternoon. Games and activities, tutor periods, and hymn practice are incorporated into the weekly timetable. Department meetings can occur at the discretion of the Head of Faculty.

Academic timetable allocation:

Full time Teacher 15 double periods

Head of Faculty 13 double periods

Pastoral responsibilities: to provide support and guidance for a tutor group (typically 12 pupils), including one period (35 minutes) of PSHEE (Physical, Social, Health and Economic Education) and three tutor sessions, PSHEE has a specific programme and is treated the same as an academic lesson. All tutors attend Hymn Practice on Friday at 16.00 and School Mass on special occasions during the working week. Tutor periods are normally 12.35pm – 12.40pm Monday to Saturday and two afternoons a week, on Monday from 5.00pm to 5.35pm and Friday from 3.30-3.55.

6th Form Tutors deliver their PSHEE on Wednesday P5 rather than Monday 5pm. There is an additional tutor period on a Saturday from 11.25am -12.00pm. Tutors are also required to undertake one evening duty a week in House from 7.00pm – 9.00pm. There may be a requirement for flexibility around tutor timings to meet the needs of the school and timings are reviewed annually in line with timetabling. Tutors also have house duties such as managing the refectory on one day a week, as agreed with the HsM.

Co-curricular responsibilities: As a full time Teacher, there is a requirement to be involved in two co-curricular activities a week during term time e.g. CCF, service activities, games, music and academic societies. Additionally, you will participate in supporting the Saturday afternoon games programme. This may include activities and/or sport, and Teachers may be asked to support a specialist coach in games lessons and be responsible for the team when they play matches.

Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy.

Applications closed