Head of Music and Drama

Ivy House School thrives as a distinguished, co-educational, and non-denominational school, for boys and girls aged 2-11, nestled within the green spaces of Golders Hill Park in Hampstead. The school is renowned for its outstanding education and core values, instilled throughout pupils’ learning pathway from Early Years up to and throughout the Prep School.

The school prides itself on creating a nurturing environment where each pupil’s individuality is encouraged while fostering a love for learning. The school imparts upon its pupils the notion that they can achieve remarkable feats while being guided by their belief in hard work and determination. The school’s commitment to maintaining a student-centred approach is achieved through their tailored curriculum, ensuring academic success and entrance into some of the top senior day and boarding schools in the UK. 

Ivy House School are looking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic Head of Music to join us. This will be a part-time, maternity cover starting in April 2025. 

The Head of Music and Drama will further vision for music and performance in the Junior School which promotes a love of music and drama for all. They will be accountable to the Headteacher.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic school aims and objectives

• Lead and inspire the highest standards of music and drama across all areas of school life. 
• Lead on the development, delivery and review of the music and drama curriculum. 
• Line manage the peripatetic teachers, coordinating concerts every term.
• Plan and coordinate whole school, phase, year group and smaller group performances, concerts and recitals.
• Responsible for music in whole school assemblies: accompaniment, listening, singing and giving pupils a platform for performance.
• Play a full and active part in the extra-curricular life of the school, including leading Ivy House Choir

Teaching and Learning 

• Establish and develop a relationship with each individual in each class, ensuring their social, emotional, and moral wellbeing. 
• Work with all teachers in the school to establish, develop and implement short-medium term plans for music and drama throughout Ivy House.
• Work closely with the visiting music staff on ensembles, shared projects and performances
• Monitor, evaluate and review the effect of policies and plans, establishing clear targets for improving and sustaining pupil development. 
• Establish, maintain and develop appropriate resources for teaching and learning, including ICT.

Assessment and Reporting

• To monitor, evaluate and review progress and achievement of all pupils, through the assessment, recording and updating systems, identifying clear targets for improvement.
• To establish and maintain a good rapport with parents by communicating fully, accurately and positively with them both informally and formally through written reports. 
• Attend or lead Induction and Curriculum events to maintain communication between home and school. 

Requirements:

Qualifications

• Good honours degree in a relevant subject area
• QTS, PGCE or equivalent

Skills

• Ability to teach music across the full range of primary years, Early Years to Year 6
• Passion for teaching and learning
• Excellent understanding of methods to extend and challenge pupils at all stages of their learning
• Experience of offering good pastoral support
• Ability to work well within a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Excellent organisational skills

Qualities

• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to inspire and motivate
• Inspiring, creative and highly able educator
• An understanding of the value of independent learning
• Valuing a growth mindset, risk taking and resilience in pupils’ learning and personal and social development
• Readiness to support extra-curricular activities within and outside department, after school and at other times
• Good organisation and planning
• Flexibility and resilience