Director of Music

Kew House School was established in the conviction that there exists an opportunity for a different kind of independent secondary school in London – academically demanding but with a forward-thinking approach to selection criteria, the flexibility of the curriculum, the shape of the school day, and recognition of creativity and talent. A character-selective school, we pride ourselves on the support and care we extend to our 600 pupils whilst striving to add value to their success in all fields of academia, sport, and creativity. Having successfully grown over the ten years since its foundation and recently awarded the ISI “Excellent” grading, the Music Department has expanded its provision to offer both A Level and BTEC Level 3 teaching since September 2023.

Music forms one of the core pillars of Kew House School’s creative pupil engagement and achievement. Music permeates the wider school environment and offers an extensive range of opportunities for students to involve themselves in. We are proud of the number of pupils who actively participate and the standard of performance they attain.

We are looking for an inspirational, dynamic, innovative, and well-qualified Director of Music to lead our highly successful, vibrant department.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to model and promote outstanding teaching and learning.

They will have the skills to support and empower their team and will have the vision to play a key role in the strategic leadership of Music in the classroom, in co-curricular clubs, and throughout the wider school community.

Facilities

The buildings are equipped with modern facilities, including performance spaces, rehearsal rooms, a dedicated Music IT suite running Sibelius and Cubase, Art and Design studios, flexible teaching suites, and meeting rooms.

Curriculum

Our curriculum starts with a two-year Key Stage 3 in which Music is taught to mixed-ability classes in Years 7 and 8 for 90 minutes every week. Music lessons in Year 7 involve the school’s USP of giving every child tuition in playing orchestral instruments; the project is delivered by specialist instrumental teachers alongside the classroom teacher. Music is a popular option at GCSE and is taught across three years. The post-16 curriculum provision advises students to take appropriate combinations of A Level and BTEC subjects, plus an EPQ. The school’s aim is to provide a rich and broad education to all students, whatever their specialism. Whilst we aim to achieve the highest academic results for each student, we do not serve as an examination “factory”.

Co-Curricular

The Music Department is central to the school’s co-curricular provision, with a wide range of performance opportunities for the Senior Choir, Junior Choir, Chamber Choirs, String Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Senior Soul Band, and several Junior Rock Bands, in addition to annual Musical Theatre productions.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: Friday 4th October 2024.

Kew Green Preparatory School is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment and work in accordance with our child protection policies and procedures. All posts are subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check. The safeguarding responsibilities of the post are as per the job description and person specification. Please also see our safeguarding policy.