Senior Teacher of Music (Responsible for Music Curriculum)

The Music Department - Vision for Performance

Our strategic aim is to be known as a school where every pupil is able to flourish and reach their potential academically, physically, creatively, spiritually and socially.

Performance has a central and exciting role with opportunities to perform, developing time management, focus and poise, self-confidence, teamwork, technical skills and camaraderie.

The creation and performance of art teaches allows our children to respond with maturity as they analyse and interpret the artistic communications of others.

Performance requires pupils who are keen to work under the spotlight and, of equal importance, the chances for those who wish to work backstage and in production. All pupils will be able to perform in curricular time with lessons in drama and music, but extra-curricular opportunities are crucial in showcasing the variety of the pupil’s skills, talents and abilities to the widest audience.

Ethos and Aims of the Department

‘Music for all’ is an underlying principal as well as striving to achieve excellence in performance. The current staff consists of five classroom teachers, teaching across the whole age spectrum in both our Primary and Senior sites. From August 2021, the department will be led by the Director of Music who will have responsibility for the day-to-day running of the department. There is currently a Senior Teacher responsible for Primary School Music (taught at the Kingarth Street site) and from August 2021 a Senior Teacher with responsibility for the Music and Music Technology Curriculum at the Senior School site (Beaton Road). There are 2 further Music Teachers and a Music and Performance Administrator.

Class music is taught through the practical idiom, and the curriculum follows the guidelines laid down in the ‘Curriculum for Excellence Document’. All pupils are given the opportunity to choose Music as an academic option for public examinations at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels. Advanced Higher and Higher Music Technology is offered as an alternative pathway for those pupils seeking to further their interest in Sound Production. A good number of our pupils gain places to read Music at Oxford, Cambridge, Russell Group Universities as well as the Music Conservatoires.

Job Description

The Senior Teacher of Music will report to and be line-managed by the Director of Music and will work closely to support all areas of music provision across the senior school. This will include providing relevant information relating to the subject areas’ performance and development as requested, liaising on all issues relating to examinations, both internal and external.

In your application, we would welcome any evidence of leadership experience in managing a team. It is vital that the successful candidate has strong organisations skills as well as the ability to manage time effectively.

The department is a thriving and busy one and you would be expected to lead by example in all areas of the subject, both regarding the curriculum and through extra-curricular involvement. Once again, evidence of this in your current role should be given in the cover letter.

You will also be expected to contribute to general areas of internal music provision, such as directing ensembles, assemblies, and House events, as agreed in consultation with the Director of Music. The successful candidate should also have good keyboard skills.

The effective delivery of an outstanding curriculum for both Music and Music Technology is vital to enable the highest level of pupil progress and attainment. It is the responsibility of the Senior Teacher of Music to review and refine the Music and Music Technology Curricula on an on-going basis and ensure short and medium-term plans are used to deliver highly effective learning and teaching within the Department. Although not essential, the ability to teach both music and music technology would be an advantage.

It is also expected that the successful candidate will contribute to areas outside the music department. This could be assisting with sport, DofE, or running a lunchtime club.

Responsibilities

The list is by no means exhaustive, but key points are listed as follows: -

·     Support the Director of Music in running the department.

·     Responsible for both the Music and Music Technology Curricula.

·     Lead on the delivery, evaluation and development of both the Music and Music Technology Curricula.

·     Work with the Director of Music to ensure the highest quality of music learning and teaching.

·     Implement the school approach to marking and feedback to inform planning, develop learning and evaluate the pupil progress.

·     Arrange and oversee moderation of internal assessment and course work.

·     Set regular, measurable, and meaningful assessments for pupils in line with school policy.

·     Review with teachers their assessments of progress for classes and quality-assure such assessments though moderation, sampling, and review where applicable.

·     Ensure procedures for both internal and external exams are carried out according to the School’s procedures and the Boards’ regulations as appropriate.

·     Have a strong understanding of the music and music technology examination specifications.

·     Oversee the production of reports on pupil progress in line with school policies.

·     Collate all information to/from examination boards.

·     Assist the Director of Music in line-managing the music teaching staff regarding all music and music technology curriculum matters in the Secondary School.

·     Line manage music teaching staff regarding all music and music technology curriculum matters in the Secondary school.

·     Provide the Director of Music with relevant information relating to the subject areas’ performance and development as requested.

·     Liaise with the Director of Music on all issues relating to Examination Boards.

Person Profile

The Music Department seeks to appoint a talented and inspirational musician and teacher to help build on the fine reputation of this musical School. The candidate would seek to assist the Director of Music in leading and promoting music throughout the school, co-ordinating the ambitious curriculum programme in the senior school. In addition to relevant experience, the applicant would be expected to hold a degree in Music as well as a relevant teaching qualification. This role would ideally suit someone who is aspiring to become a Director of Music.

The Senior Teacher of Music would oversee the Music Curriculum at the senior school and be expected to organise the SQA music exam entries, liaising with the Director of Music and Examination officer.

It would be advantageous to have good keyboard skills and be willing to get involved in the wider life of the school such as sports, DofE, clubs and societies.

Candidates should submit a letter of application and CV, together with the completed application form. 

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 15 March at 4 pm.