xxxxxxxxx History of Berkhamsted Schools Group
Berkhamsted School is situated in the historic Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted, a prosperous community surrounded by Chiltern countryside and within easy reach of London. Berkhamsted is a leading Independent School for pupils aged 3 to 18 years, the foundation of which dates back to 1541 (when John Incent, the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, successfully applied to King Henry the VIII for a license to purchase a piece of land for a ‘freescole’)
In 1888 a Girls School was founded in Berkhamsted under the same governing body, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools merged to form a diamond school in 1997. The Prep School was also integrated at this stage, and the School became Berkhamsted Collegiate School.
In 2011 the School merged with Heatherton House, a small independent day School for girls in Chesham Bois, and became the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Operating as a satellite Prep School, Heatherton provides a feed of Girls to the Berkhamsted Girls School every year. In 2012 Berkhamsted Schools Group acquired Haresfoot, a small proprietary prep school in Berkhamsted This site now houses the Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Berkhamsted Day Nursery Limited, and Berkhamsted Prep takes children from age 7-11
Berkhamsted is the only School in the Herts, Beds and Bucks region, and one of only a small number of Schools in the country, to offer a ‘diamond’ structure that combines the best of both single-sex and coeducational teaching Boys and Girls are taught together until the age of 11 (Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep), separately from the age of 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint sixth form (Berkhamsted Sixth)
Job Description
The Opportunity
We seek to appoint a highly committed and inspirational Director of Music to lead and manage on all aspects of the School’s music programme within the Senior Schools and Sixth Form (Years 7 – 13 inclusive).
The Role
This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an ambitious and dynamic teacher to manage a forward-thinking, innovative and thriving music department, in a school, which boasts excellent facilities and ongoing investment The department serves three schools – Senior Boys, Senior Girls and Sixth Form that encompass Years 7 – 13 and includes GCSE and A Level, across two campuses There are four dedicated full-time members of staff, two of whom have significant areas of responsibility: Head of Solo Music and Head of Ensemble Music; between them, they co-ordinate the extra-curricular activities of the department and report to the Director of Music There are annual opportunities for post-graduate assistants to work in the department in addition to the permanent team. There are currently 32 visiting music teachers, including the School Organist, who deliver individual instrumental lessons and contribute to the vibrant musical ensemble programme. The department is also administratively supported by a full-time Performing Arts Administrator
About the Music Department
The department enjoys a high profile within the school and provides opportunities for a wide range of musicians to enjoy making music together. The flagship ensembles are currently the Symphony Orchestra, Big Band and Chamber Choir, all of which have high profile events in the year Running alongside and feeding into these are a number of smaller ensembles ranging from beginners to elite in terms of standard, providing opportunities for musicians of all ages, musical persuasions and instruments. The department is also committed to finding external opportunities for our musicians and are involved in performances at our local hospice, our parish church, local care homes, assisted living residences as well as for local charities. The Orchestra, Big Band and Barbershop also have taken part in the Music for Youth Festival.
Job Description
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Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
A regular programme of platform concerts and performing opportunities, both formal and informal, are a highly valued feature of the school’s calendar. A highlight of the year is Music Week, which provides numerous performing opportunities for a large number of pupils to participate in concerts, masterclasses, talks, workshops and listen to recitals by visiting professionals or members of our peripatetic team. The department has commissioned a number of works over the years, including from Cecilia McDowall, Howard Blake, Naji Hakim and Bob Chilcott. Most recently the Chamber Choir sang the premiere of a specially commissioned work by Phillip Stopford at the 2021 HMC Conference at Cardiff Cathedral. There is an annual European Music Tour alternating between an informal rehearsal tour for the younger pupils with a formal concert tour for our flagship ensembles. The Music Department works closely with the School Chaplain, providing music for a number of services and events over the year. A number of Music Scholarships and Music Exhibitions are awarded annually to external pupils coming into Years 7, 9 and 12 Music is taught as a compulsory subject throughout KS3 and attracts steady numbers at GCSE and A Level and a number of our students go on to study music at university or specialist music conservatoires We have a number of high-level (post Grade 8) musicians, either recently left or are currently in the school, who have sung or played with regional or national ensembles including the NYOGB, NYC and NYTC, NSSO, Herts CYO. Several of our pupils are members of the Junior Departments at Guildhall, Royal College and Royal Academy
Facilities
The department extends over two campuses At Kings Campus, the impressive Centenary Theatre provides a 500-seat professional-style venue, which is fully resourced and supported by two full-time theatre technicians. This is used for major concerts and events Next to the theatre, the Upper Green Room provides an excellent dedicated music teaching and rehearsal space, a music office and storage. A number of instrumental and practice rooms are also housed on site in the main building. At Castle Campus, which is separated from Kings Campus by an eight-minute walk, the historic Music Block is a detached specialist teaching facility housing a large teaching space, with practice rooms, storage and a further shared music office underneath.
Job Description
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Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Also on site, there is a further dedicated teaching room and rehearsal room, a drum room and further music offices situated next-door to the Performing Arts Administration Office The impressive Chapel at Castle Campus contains a fine 19th Century 3-manual Hope-Jones/Willis pipe organ, which has been expertly restored and is regularly maintained. The campus has two further performance spaces comprising the Deans’ Hall with its Yamaha grand piano as well as the historic Old Hall which houses a lovely Bosendorfer concert grand piano.
Direct Reports
1. Music Department ‘Heads of Section’, namely:
The Head of Ensembles (who oversees major musical events, concerts and line managers the team of directors who run musical ensembles)
The Head of Solo Music (who line-manages and schedules lessons for the visiting music teaching team and arranges recital-style events)
2. Other academic members of the department including student teachers (undertaking their PGCE) and post-graduate assistant(s)
3. Performing Arts Administrator (requires liaison with the Director of Drama)
General Responsibilities
Consultatively establish the vision for the role of music in the life of the School, cast the vision inspirationally and plan the strategic direction of the department to fulfil this vision: taking an overview of the academic and extra-curricular elements of Music liaising closely with the Head of Solo Music and Head of Ensemble Music
Job Description
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Formulate clear aims and objectives through a cohesive and exciting development plan, which builds upon key objectives from the School Development Plan
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Liaise with the Music Departments in the Preparatory School, Pre-Prep and Heatherton House School to secure standards of excellence and cohesion in Music across the across Berkhamsted Schools’ Group.
Develop and promote the kudos and reputation of the work of the department both within the school community, the Berkhamsted Schools Group, feeder schools and in the local community.
Encourage a wide and inclusive approach to maximise interest and participation in Music, both in and out of the classroom The overall range of opportunities and activities should provide for all musical levels, age groups and musical interests.
Oversee the formulation of an annual calendar of scheduled musical events, which seek to provide opportunities for pupils of all abilities and ages to showcase their talent and develop their skills. It is hoped that the department will capitalise on opportunities to build links with other schools as well as local and national organisations through musical activities
Ensure all necessary Performing Rights Society permissions are in place for musical activities, performances and recordings. Ensure no unlicensed recordings or videos are made/distributed, which breach individual GDPR and/or PRS permissions
Curriculum and Pupils
Oversee the strategic direction and development of the Music academic curriculum and show leadership in securing standards of excellence in teaching and learning and play a key role in developing school policy.
Plan and deliver an exciting music curriculum which work with a standardised system of assessment, in line with the School’s Curriculum and Assessment Policies. Schemes of work and resources should challenge, enthuse and inspire pupils at all levels and ensure pupils receive the best learning experience.
Ensure formative and summative assessment is meaningful and work set by the department is marked accurately and returned promptly.
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Oversee the setting of homework, so that it is a valuable extension of class activities and helps pupils to develop independent learning skills
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Oversee and encourage excellence through the school rewards system including commendations, end of year prizes and the awarding of Arts Colours. High standards should also be encouraged by attention drawn to achievement through pupil performances, compositions, classroom displays, events and other notable means.
Produce, review and update departmental documents, practices and policies as necessary; evaluate new specifications
Oversee and co-ordinate applications, staffing and the leadership of educational visits within the department Encourage pupil participation of all musical opportunities
Contributing to pupils’ core skills of literacy, numeracy and I.T. capability; contributing to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Coordinate the music scholarship audition process and act as a mentor to music award holders in the school.
Assist with the admission and induction of pupils into the school where appropriate.
Use data to recognise and nurture the quality of practice within the department and in promoting pupils’ progress.
Ensure pupil reports are individualised and meaningful, providing a valuable form of communication and self-reflection.
Be familiar with all the subject requirements for Public Examinations and ensuring proper preparation of the pupils for them
Liaise with the Examinations Officer and the Deputy Head, Curriculum and Assessment in arrangements for Public and Internal School Examinations.
Be available and contactable either in person or by email/phone during the examination results periods to advise staff, parents and pupils on examination performance and university entrance.
Job Description
Staff management:
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Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Lead and manage staff to ensure all those with involvement in the teaching or support of the subject receive the leadership, support, challenge, information and professional development necessary to sustain staff motivation and secure improvement in teaching:
Liaise with the Line Manager and Chief People Officer on the recruitment and appointment of new members to the department.
Provide induction for, and guidance of, new staff in syllabus, resources, procedures for marking, reporting etc ; ensuring effective supervision of new teachers within the department
Ensure that ‘good practice’, in terms of both teaching and learning, documentation and professionalism, is shared and upheld throughout the department
Ensure the professional development of all members of the department through in-service training, professional organisations and active involvement in wider school activities. Identify the training needs of all members in the department and liaising with the CPD co-ordinator
Encourage and develop innovative approaches to learning, including online resources.
Evaluate the performance of teaching staff and others within the Department as part of the formal Staff Appraisal process, providing assistance with the development of their careers
Co-ordinate the programmes for lesson observation and work scrutiny in the departments.
Organise regular departmental meetings and ensuring good communication within the department and that all are up to date with identified issues, plans made, actions taken within an agreed timescale Where necessary, setting work for pupils if a member of the department is absent and liaising over cover.
Resources
Ensure the efficient, effective and safe deployment of staff and resources while also identifying appropriate additional resources for the department:
Liaise with Line Manager, Chief People Officer and Vice Principal over the annual staffing allocation and matters of staff welfare and development.
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Prepare estimates for departmental budgets and major equipment at the appropriate time. Manage the departmental budget effectively and informing line managers of any issues
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Create and deploy learning resources effectively; ordering textbooks and other material within budget provisions and keeping an account of departmental expenditure. Checking on stock and resources and taking steps to ensure against unreasonable loss, wear and tear
Monitor the implementation of the School Health and Safety policy within the department, ensuring a safe working environment in line with the Policy for both staff and pupils.
Provide and monitor appropriate risk assessments
Ensure that all out-of-school activities are in line with the School Health & Safety Policy and Guidelines.
Budgeting And Resources
To prepare detailed projections for budget required for delivering the curriculum, associated events and activities
Ensure the efficient, effective and safe deployment of resources, identifying appropriate additional resources for the subject and overseeing the asset register of the academic resources.
These would include:
- Musical instrument stock used in curriculum lessons including ukuleles, keyboards, classroom percussion.
- ICT software packages (such as Sibelius) required for composing in the classroom at all levels.
- Sound equipment required for the recording of the performance units at GCSE and A Level
- Textbooks and scores required for GCSE and A Level study.
Job Description
Essential Qualities / Skills
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Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Leadership skills, attributes and professional competence: the ability to lead manage and motivate people to work as individuals and as a team towards a common goal. The ability to form / express clear & compelling vision.
Decision making skills: the ability to solve problems and make decisions
Communications skills: the ability to make points clearly, listen accurately and understand the views of others.
Time-management: the ability to plan time effectively and to organise oneself well
Administrative skills: the ability to organise and run this large department.
Management skills: the ability to work effectively with Senior Leaders, other Middle Leaders and direct reports.
