Director of Music

About the job

St Helen’s is looking to appoint a Full Time Director of Music to start either September 2024 or January 2025. The role will report directly to the Deputy Head Operations and Partnerships.

The specific responsibilities of the postholder include the following. The list is not exhaustive and may change over time as new initiatives evolve. 

Strategic Development 

• Provide strategic leadership of academic and Co-Curricular Music throughout the whole School (Nursery to Year 13) 
• To further develop choral activity, which is both inclusive and aims for excellence, whether that is in competitions or by singing in prestigious concerts and venues.
• Develop opportunities for girls to gain experience of performing, both as solo performers and in ensembles, with particular focus on developing on orchestral playing, with the School Orchestra as the flagship ensemble. Organise suitable music for the school events, including but not limited to weekly/end of term assemblies, Founder’s Day, Open Events, Prize Day and any other event as directed by Line Manager. 
• In consultation with the Executive Team, determine the annual programme of musical events and concerts, including performances both within and outside the school. 
• Act as the public face of music at St Helen’s by maintaining and developing the profile of the school’s music in the wider community. 
• Lead and oversee the long-term plans for music throughout the school, including further development of music technology within curricular and Co-Curricular Music. 
• Develop and implement an outreach music strategy for partnerships and outreach music projects with maintained and independent schools including Merchant Taylors’ and community groups. 

Leadership of Academic & Co-Curricular Music 

• Lead the work of the staff and students through personal example as a practising performer, composer, or conductor. 
• Conduct (as appropriate) the School Orchestra and take such other ensembles as required. 
• Develop Choirs across all age groups. 
• Inspire and lead the school’s music performance work as a whole. 
• Ensure that Music Scholars have an appropriate scholarship programme in place to support their development within music.
• Secure excellent standards of pupil attainment and achievement through monitoring and supporting student progress in Music throughout the School. 
• Ensure that the academic music curriculum is appropriately delivered through liaison with the Academic Deputy Head, Director of Studies, and Head of Prep School Music. 

Management and Communication 

• Liaise with the Director of Communications and Marketing Department to coordinate the marketing and publicity of musical events. 
• Ensure that stories of musical achievements by girls and ensembles are made available for posting on the school website. 
• Ensure that prompt and appropriate communication with parents takes place, whether over individual concerns which may arise from time to time in relation to the work of the Department, or in relation to communicating to parents the school’s vision for music.
• Liaise with the Head of Art, Director of Drama and Director of Sport, to develop and promote collaborative projects where appropriate. 
• Liaise with the Director of Music and others at Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School in the planning of joint concerts, the annual Joint Musical and other musical events. 
• Attend meetings of the Joint Performing Arts Committee (at STHNs or MTS), Curriculum Admin Group Heads of Departments Committee and Co-Curricular Logistics Committee, and attend other meetings as required. 
• Plan and manage the overall music budget and other available resources. 
• Organise and lead a programme of music tours to the UK and abroad. 

Line Management 

• Lead, supervise and manage the Senior School music teachers, Music Administrative Assistant, Prep School Head of Music, Head of Instrumental and Vocal Music and Instrumental Music Teachers 
• Motivate the team ensuring that all work is consistently performed to a high standard. 
• Ensure the proper induction of new staff to the Department, including Instrumental Music Teachers, ECTs and trainee teachers (where applicable) 
• Manage the annual professional development review/appraisal process for the Music Department
• Identify team training and development requirements and arrange training and development as required. 

Teaching 

All teachers are expected to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning by: 

• Preparing and delivering challenging and differentiated lessons. 
• Setting homework in accordance with the school’s homework policy 
• Marking work in accordance with the school’s marking policy 
• Using all available data and information to ensure that each pupil is provided with an appropriate programme of study 
• Having a good understanding of the schemes of work they are following and how these fit into the overall scheme of work for the subject they are teaching 
•  Keeping up to date with developments in the teaching of their subject 

General 

• Carry out such duties that may be reasonably required by the Headmistress. 
• Follow responsibilities as defined in the Health & Safety Policy 
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people with whom s/he comes into contact and adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy 
• Support and promote and School’s ethos, aims and objectives.