Head of Academic Music

This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead the academic development of a well-established and highly successful music department in one of London’s largest independent day schools with strong links to music colleges, concert halls and other performance opportunities. The Head of Academic Music will be a passionate musician with the ambition to develop the delivery of academic music to a very high level for pupils in Year 7 - 13.

For those with ambition and talent, the post could be a very rewarding opportunity. The Music Department is busy and diverse, with sufficient breadth to enable the successful candidate to develop their interests. We are looking for an experienced teacher with first-class musical credentials, able to lead by example, to be organised and creative in their approach in the classroom, and to manage others in terms of academic music methods and results.

This is a new post, remodelling the department after the departure of the previous Director of Music and the main emphasis will be in leading the academic department and working with the new Director of Music to continue to increase the profile of music within the school, both in and out of the classroom.

Music at Forest School

Musical excellence is part of our heritage and Forest is well known for the quality of its music provision. As well as an array of top-level ensembles across many genres, our pupils regularly represent the school by performing at distinguished venues such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Chelmsford Cathedral and Hackney Empire. What we value most, however, is that everyone, whatever their level, is encouraged to join in and to enjoy music.

At the heart of the Forest Music programme is the ethos and vision to instil a lifelong love of music in all pupils and equip them with the attributes to appreciate, play, perform and create music well beyond their time at school.

Forest’s musical programme is extensive and underpinned by a significant commitment from all staff, from our 40 visiting music teachers to the Leadership Team and Governors who all agree that music is a core part of Forest’s provision and should be supported, recognised, and celebrated as such.

One of the largest and liveliest Music Departments in London. Our pupils regularly go on to study music at top universities and conservatoires, often winning scholarships to coveted institutions.

The department continues to develop its provision both within the classroom, teaching music and music technology, through the extensive co-curricular programme, and beyond the school’s perimeters via outreach and partnership opportunities.

Made up of 4 full-time teaching staff in addition to the Director of Music, a full-time Music School Manager running the administrative side of the department and around 40 visiting staff covering the gamut of classical and popular musical instruments as well as significant vocal teaching which feeds into the School’s strong choral tradition.

Forest has a strong record of pupils studying music at GCSE and A level, with a consistent record of pupils going on to study music at university and conservatoire. Recent destinations include Cambridge, York, and Manchester universities (including to the joint course between Manchester and the RNCM), the Royal Northern College of Music, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, The Royal College of Music, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire.

There is ambition to continue to expand and develop the scope and strength of the musical life of the school, to continually build toward a balanced but abundant offering that reflects the diverse, modern, globally-minded School community, and nourishes the artistic potential and experience of the pupils.

The Forest School Ethos

Forest is a humane, open-minded school with both feet on the ground, in which the pupils’ all-round personal development is outstanding and academic attainment is high. It is, above all, a happy school which understands the rich inter-relationship between the curricular, the co-curricular and the pastoral. There is boldness in the School’s character, a readiness to be forward-thinking and adaptable, with pride in what we are and excitement for what lies ahead. We value growth, hard work, responsibility community, learning, diversity and wellbeing – values that are as applicable to our pupils as they are to our staff.

About Forest

Forest is a large, vibrant school, with approximately 1500 pupils from 4 to 18. Our traditional House structure means that each pupil is treated as an individual, of whom we have the highest expectations, while our size enables us to offer breadth and depth of opportunity. 

Location

Forest is a city school surrounded by Epping Forest, within easy walking distance of Snaresbrook Central line tube station and Wood Street Overground station.

Why work at Forest?

There are many benefits of working at Forest school as staff are our single most important asset. Key benefits include:    

• Generous CPD budget               
• Comprehensive Professional Development Review system               
• Opportunities to contribute to the wider community via our extensive Outreach Programme       
• Free hot lunch (takeaway sandwich lunch also available) and refreshments throughout the day               
• 20% fee remission (pro-rata for part time staff) for children attending Forest which is applicable Y3-Y13               
• Subsidised membership to the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre             
• Membership of the School's Group Life Assurance scheme and Personal Accident Scheme        
• Contribution towards private medical insurance fees               
• Membership of a pension scheme

Closing Date: Monday, 23 January 2023, 08:00

Interviews: Monday, 30th January 2023