• To provide effective leadership and management of music in the school which results in first class teaching and learning opportunities for students and staff.

• To be head of department and line manage teaching and support staff in the department.

• To develop an approach to the teaching of music that will stimulate all students to participate in and enjoy this subject and make good progress in their learning.

• To develop and implement a creative curriculum in music and ensure the delivery of high quality provision in curricular and extracurricular activities.

• In collaboration with the Drama Department contribute annually to whole-school productions and performances.

Key Responsibilities:

• To advise Line Manager on all matters connected with the delivery of music across the school including timetable planning, staffing peripatetic teaching and other curriculum issues.

• To participate in curriculum development and other relevant areas of school policy-making.

• To optimise student attainment, progress and achievement in music.

• To undertake regular audits of the quality of teaching and other music activities being delivered throughout the school.

• To ensure that the department has appropriate and differentiated schemes of work and resources at KS3 and KS4 (and, if appropriate KS5) which deliver the relevant specifications, aims and objectives.

• To co-ordinate the work of all teaching and support staff in the curriculum area.

• To keep up-to-date about subject developments and to take part in relevant CPD for this purpose, disseminating information to other staff where appropriate.

• To carry out the department’s monitoring and self-evaluation and planning processes.

• To ensure the effective implementation of all relevant school policies.

• To prepare, analyse, evaluate and report on summative data including exam results.

• To promote and oversee all extra-curricular music activities in the school.

• To encourage and help organise links with partner schools and other community bodies.

• To demonstrate and encourage high standards of professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment from all staff associated with the music department, including the accurate completion of administration, meeting all deadlines.

• To manage music resources, including practise rooms, giving support and guidance to relevant staff.

• To line manage music teaching and support staff, including performance management, quality assurance and day-to-day management.

• To ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for examination entries and other statutory requirements.

• To liaise with external partners such as Sutton Music Service in co-ordinating additional opportunities in music.

Curriculum Management to include:

• Designing and delivering a broad curriculum in music that supports the school’s ethos, values and curricular aims and meets the needs of all students.

• Making sure that innovative and appropriate approaches to learning are made available to students with specific learning needs, for example: those with a low skill base, SEN, EAL, physically disabled, hearing or visual impairment or the More Able, Gifted and Talented.

• Evaluating national and international initiatives to promote learning and incorporating appropriate elements into development planning.

• Evaluating the design and delivery of the curriculum for music with the aim of continuous improvement.

• Monitoring and evaluating progress towards meeting student achievement targets ensuring relevant interventions are in place for those at risk of under-achieving.

• Ensuring that there is an effective assessment, recording and reporting system of student progress.

Financial Management

• Setting long term and short term budgets for resourcing the music department appropriately and effectively.

• Monitoring actual spend against forecast.

• Making sure that ‘Best Value’ principles are applied to all appropriate purchasing decisions.

• Evaluating use of financial resources to ensure that desired outcomes are met.

• Exploiting opportunities to improve the resources of the music department.

People Management

• Adopting a strong, caring and flexible leadership style so as to influence and motivate staff and students to achieve their objectives and those of the school.

• Working proactively with the Head of Creative Arts and other colleagues to create an open, valuable working relationship that thrives on using the knowledge and expertise of individuals and groups to produce desired outcomes.

• Implementing school performance management processes so as to provide a positive framework for staff development and achievement.

• Ensuring that all staff, including support, short and long term temporary staff, receive departmental induction and fully understand all relevant policies and their implementation.

• Effectively implementing school policies (including Safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety) concerning student and staff welfare.

• Apply attendance and absence management policies for music department staff.

• Ensuring that the policies and processes in place for assessing students and for setting, monitoring and evaluating attainment goals for students are implemented by all department staff.

• Creating an environment where there is visible acknowledgement that everyone’s contribution is valued.

General Administration

• Ensuring that all administrative systems are as efficient as possible.

• Providing appropriate, accurate and timely management information to enable evaluation and continuous improvement of performance.

• Checking that information required by various external bodies, including exam boards, is produced within the given time scale and is of excellent quality.

• Designing and implementing departmental procedures that complement school procedures and ensure all stakeholders (students, parents, community members, all staff, and visitors) are treated as valuable customers of the school.

Assessment, recording and reporting:

• Keep appropriate records of students’ work;

• Mark and return work set, including homework, within an agreed and reasonable time;

• Use the school’s marking scheme at all times;

• Carry out assessment programmes, as agreed by the school, faculty or department;

• Complete records of achievement in line with school policy;

• Complete student reports in line with school policy. Attend parents’ evenings as required and keep parents informed about their child’s performance and future targets;

• Undertake responsibility for a form group;

• Monitor and set targets for the social and academic progress of all students in the form;

• Endeavour to build up a good relationship with the students in the form, so that they will look to the teacher for support and advice;

• Command high standards of student behaviour and conduct at all times and support the school in its application of related policies;

• Report issues of concern to the appropriate senior staff;

• Attend and contribute to key stage, subject, team and full staff meetings;

• In relation to the school’s strategic plan, contribute towards the goals and targets.

The ideal candidate will be:

• A qualified teacher educated to degree level.

• A passionate classroom practitioner.

• Someone with clear potential to learn and improve.

• An advocate for young people.

• Innovative, creative, resilient and dynamic.

• An excellent communicator who has a positive attitude to life and work.

• Able to demonstrate impact in their current role.