Music at Roedean

Music at Roedean Music is central to many aspects of Roedean life – it is lively, engaging, and accomplished. It enjoys a high profile in the School, with musicians performing in every Assembly and Chapel, as well as showcasing their talents in regular masterclasses, recitals, and in large-scale concerts.

Within the curriculum, Music is fun and inclusive, and it has a lasting effect on students’ appreciation of an extensive range of musical styles, through the key skills of performing, composing and listening. We encourage musicians of all ages to enjoy performing and to develop their individual talents to a high standard. All KS3 pupils from Year 7 entry learn either trumpet, violin or clarinet as part of curricular lessons. Each year pupils in KS3 enjoy workshops in Samba, Gamelan and Steel Band.

Academic Music is a popular choice, and we are proud that high numbers take the subject to GCSE and A Level. Results are very strong, and pupils regularly leave Roedean to study Music at either university or conservatoire.

Many students learn one or two instruments, and specialist tuition is available on piano, organ, all orchestral instruments, saxophone, guitar, orchestral percussion, drum kit, and solo singing. Roedean students regularly win highly-coveted places in the National Youth Orchestra, and some attend Music Colleges in London on Saturdays, to develop their talents further.

The co-curriculum is rich, with a range of groups, both pupil-led and directed by teachers, rehearsing on a weekly basis. There are also many opportunities for performance (both informal and formal) throughout the year. The Symphony Orchestra, string orchestra, school choir, junior choir, chamber choir, oratorio choir, concert band, ensembles and soloists frequently perform in concerts, both in school and at many venues locally and beyond.

Concerts have been given in Brighton Pavilion and the Chapel Royal, as well as in our own Chapel as part of the Brighton Festival Fringe. For over twenty years, the Roedean concert, which brings together musicians from

the Roedean community and local singers and players, has been the opening concert of the Brighton Festival Fringe Series, and we are proud of this accolade. In this concert, student soloists have the wonderful opportunity to perform concerto movements with the orchestra; recent repertoire has included movements from the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, the Ravel Piano Concerto, the Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto, the Weber Clarinet Concerto, and the Bruch Violin Concerto, among others.

Furthermore, our musicians have regular opportunities to work alongside top quality professional musicians in masterclasses which span the whole musical range. Recent collaborations have been with the Sacconi String Quartet, the Galliard Wind Ensemble, and the conductor Rebecca Miller. The department enjoys an excellent relationship with the Drama Department, and recent musicals, which have included Hairspray, Cabaret, and Oliver, have been highly successful collaborations.

The Music Department The Director of Music leads a department of 26 staff. The key members of the department include the Assistant Director of Music, the Head of Strings, Chapel Organist, and a department administrative assistant, and these members of staff are complemented by an excellent team of visiting instrumental and vocal teachers.

The Music Department is situated at the heart of the School, behind the Main Library. There is a large class teaching room, equipped with 20 Yamaha keyboards, pitched percussion instruments, as well as computer workstations with Sibelius software.

There are three further large ensemble rooms, one with a Grotrian Steinway Piano, as well as other larger sized teaching rooms and 7 practice rooms, all with upright pianos. The Chapel has a beautiful acoustic and is the venue for most of our in-house concerts. It boasts a Walker Organ (2 manual) and a Grotrian Steinway Grand Piano.

Key Responsibilities within the Music Department

The Director of Music will be a passionate, creative musician and teacher, who is responsible for the professional leadership and management of all aspects of Music at Roedean. They line-manage the Assistant Director of Music, the Head of Strings, and Chapel Organist in relation to their musical and teaching duties in the school, all visiting music teachers (and their recruitment), and the department administrative assistant.

• Inspire and lead all Departmental staff, so that staff ensure pupils are motivated and enjoy participating in music making and are given the opportunities to develop their creative talents in a positive, innovative and effective working environment

• Manage the team of specialist teachers, supporting them and their professional development in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Music and Head of Strings

• Plan diverse programmes of concerts and musical events both formal and informal each year to challenge and display the work of choirs, orchestras, bands, chamber groups and other ensembles and to give performing opportunities for all musicians. This should include school concerts, masterclasses, performances in assemblies, chapel, the Carol Service and other major school events

• Oversee all the range and quality of orchestras, choirs and ensembles – ensuring rehearsals, staffingandperformanceopportunities

• Ensure a diverse range and style of music making is promoted within the Department and that students have the opportunity to explore a variety of music genres from contemporary to classical, across a range of instruments

• Meet weekly with the Assistant Director of Music and Head of Strings to develop and implement an overall strategy for the further development of music

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• Ensure that there is an educational visits programme within the Department – to organise a programme of music tours, masterclasses and visits

• Foster links with local and national music organisations

• Take responsibility for all aspects of teaching and learning in music within and beyond the curriculum, including public examination results at all levels. To oversee the writing and delivery of schemes of work and curriculum plans in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Music

• Oversee all budgeting matters relating to the Music department

• Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of the fabric and all equipment in the Music department, including instruments and aspects of Health and Safety within the department

• In liaison with the Senior Deputy Head and the Head of Admissions, to plan, organise, implement and deliver the award of music scholarships (external and internal) including auditions for entry

• Be responsible for the scheduling and billing of peripatetic music lessons and the payment of visiting peripatetic music teachers

• Review and propose changes to, and development of, music facilities

Additional Head of Department responsibilities • Ensure there is a consistent provision of

teaching across all lessons taught and that the teaching is of an appropriate level for the year groups and ability of the students being taught

• Ensure that teaching and learning strategies are in place to identify the needs of pupils particularly across the ability range, including Gifted and Talented and those with SEND and EAL needs

• Organise regular Departmental meetings in order to set standards and monitor progress against targets, to support cross Departmental communications and to provide relevant information to the Department in a timely manner with minutes being taken at each meeting

• Line manage members of the Department and through PDR, foster development of individuals and the Department including staff induction, references, lesson observations and ensuring best practice in teaching methods

• Ensure current examination syllabuses are being taught in their entirety and to keep up to date with changes

• Ensure that all entrance papers for the Department are set and marked efficiently

• To see all projected grades are submitted on time, internal moderation procedures are carried out effectively and accurate records of achievement are kept

• Ensure all essential resource material is available for use as required

• Keep the Department Handbook up to date so that it is a comprehensive, user friendly information resource and record of Departmental procedures

• Ensure safety information is up to date and work in accordance with the School’s Health and Safety Policies

• Ensure classrooms for the Department are kept in a safe and suitable condition

• Keep administration up to date, setting budgets, supplying lists (books, stationary, examination entries and results etc.) and authorising the ordering of musical equipment as necessary

• In liaison with the Head/Deputy Head, Academic, provide assistance with the recruitment of staff including the drafting of advertisements, short-listing of candidates, interviewing and selection of teaching and visiting staff

• Attend meetings when required by Senior Management

• Write information to be included in Student booklets, Open Days etc.

• Assist in the implementation of the School Development Plan

• Assist or delegate support with UCAS applications for students applying for subjects within the Department

• Report regularly to the Head and to the Line Manager, the Faculty Lead for Performing Arts about developments and initiatives in Music

Teaching Responsibilities • Teach lessons in accordance with the School’s requirement

• Plan, prepare and deliver lessons that follow the Department’s scheme of work

• Ensure the lessons are suitably differentiated and appropriate to all members of the class

• Mark pupil work on a regular basis in accordance with Department and School marking policies

• Accurately record-keep for your classes including registering, assessment, merits and demerits

• Feedback to pupils and parents through appropriate academic reports and attending Parents’ Evenings

• Attend morning staff briefings where possible and all whole School staff meetings

• Cover lessons both within and outside the Department and be available for exam invigilation as directed by the cover supervisor

• Check your School e-mail account on a regular basis and reply to colleagues as appropriate

• To be responsible for an appropriate programme of external individual music examinations (Associated Board and Trinity Guildhall)

• Work with the Assistant Head: Co-Curricular to develop community links

• Lead assemblies/practices

• Carry out any other duties that are within the employee’s skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed

Person Specification • Experienced and accomplished Music teacher with

good honours degree, and excellent teaching skills

• An accomplished communicator able to promote Music both within the classroom and within the broader life of the school

• Able to demonstrate high order management and administrative skills and be adept in the use of ICT.

• Willing to teach at all levels and be a role model to fellow professionals

• An individual with knowledge of and willingness to follow developments both nationally and internationally in the teaching and learning of Music and to use this to inform strategic thinking about the subject within the school

• An enthusiastic, committed and motivated contributor to the wider activities of the Department and school

• An individual who is able to work independently as well as in a supportive team

• Totally dedicated to their profession and of the highest integrity

• Understanding or experience of leadership and management of a subject

Package Salary: Appropriate point on Roedean Teaching Scale.

Other benefits include:

• Pension - Contributory pension scheme

• Remission of fees for a daughter attending the school, in line with the current policy of the School Council, subject to the usual standards and procedures for admission (currently 40% - pro rata for part time staff)

• Dining and refreshment facilities throughout the school day whilst on duty

• Sports and Leisure – use of the swimming pool, fitness suite, squash and tennis courts (subject to availability). Weekly yoga classes are available after work

• Wellbeing – Staff have access to a confidential advice and telephone support service. Staff bar and social events each half term

• ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme

• Free parking on site

Safeguarding The post holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or, if he/she is the School’s DSL, to the Head and relevant agencies.

Roedean is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the safeguarding of children. In addition to normal pre-employment checks, this appointment will be subject to a prohibition order check, a prohibition from management check, an enhanced DBS check and a safeguarding interview.

Appointment Details and How to Apply Applicants must complete the application pack and return it to vacancies@roedean.co.uk or via post to Louisa Butler, Roedean School, Roedean Way, Brighton, BN2 5RQ.

The deadline for applications is 9am, 14 May 2021.

This job description may be reviewed from time to time in light of changing circumstances and if it is necessary to amend/alter this, those concerned will be consulted.

Roedean is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome the unique contributions that everyone can bring to Roedean in terms of education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expressions, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.