Director of Music

Hilden Grange is an independent preparatory school for pupils aged 3-13. The school was founded in 1929 and is now part of Inspired Education. At Hilden Grange we are dedicated to giving our children a broad and balanced education in a supportive and stimulating environment where every child's potential can be realised in academic, creative, physical and spiritual areas. Pupils strive for high standards, both inside and outside the classroom, take pride in their achievements and enjoy participating wholeheartedly in the life of the school.

We are now looking to recruit a passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic Director of Music from April 2025. This is a full time role which will involve teaching children in year groups from Nursery to Year 8. Ideally we are looking for someone who has knowledge and experience of scholarship level Music syllabuses for public schools.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

To oversee the running of the department in line with school policy

To provide support and advice to members of the department and instill the aims and objectives of the department and the school

To teach and manage the music curriculum throughout the school, including the development and monitoring of LTPs and MTPs within the department

To be responsible for the training of the school choirs, orchestral and musical groups and be able to accompany or conduct the groups as necessary

To enter the choirs, musical groups and pupils into the music festivals such as Sevenoaks Three Arts, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells & Hastings as required, Associated Board music exams each term accompanying pupils where necessary, and to encourage pupils to attend music courses where relevant

To organise and prepare pupils for school concerts, the annual Carol Service, the Form singing competition and in conjunction with the Head of Drama, the annual Prep School Play and Pre-Prep nativity and summer entertainment

To oversee the preparation of potential Choristers for Tonbridge School Chapel and to support them and liaise with Tonbridge School accordingly

To oversee the Peripatetic staff, maintaining a high standard of tuition and appointing new staff as required to meet pupil demands on instruments

To write and maintain the Departmental Handbook

To take part in Peer Collaboration within and across departments

To monitor and track the progress of pupils within the department

To attend Pupil Progress Meetings

To identify Able pupils and encourage their development via differentiation in line with our Challenge for All policy

To manage the departmental budget

To manage department resources

To attend Creative Arts departmental meetings regularly and jointly provide minutes of the meeting

To lead departmental evaluations and contribute to whole school evaluation and development planning

To attend HOD meetings

To assist in the induction of new members of staff within the department

To perform any reasonable task at the request of the Head

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

Qualifications –

Teacher qualification together with Qualified Teacher Status

Honours degree in a relevant subject

Experience –

Experience of teaching pupils in this age range

An understanding of the Kent 11+ system and public school examination systems including scholarship examinations

Experience of working in the independent sector would be beneficial

Skills –

Use an appropriate range of teaching and learning strategies

A confident and competent user of IT

Good organisational skills

Good interpersonal skills/effective communicator

Knowledge –

Subject knowledge sufficient to challenge able students and achieve high outcomes

A good understanding of curricular developments

Personal competencies & Qualities -

A strong commitment to effective learning and teaching

Determination to ensure that every pupil fulfils their potential at whatever level

To be prepared to enter fully and whole-heartedly into the life of the school

Evidence of being a strong team member

Enthusiasm and a positive outlook

Positive attitude towards professional development and their own learning

To understand the importance of providing equal opportunities with regard to the religious persuasion, racial origins, gender, disabilities, cultural or linguistic background of all children