Director of Music

ROLE SUMMARY:

Hilden Grange is an independent preparatory school for pupils aged 3-13. The school was founded in 1929 and is now part of Inspired Education. At Hilden Grange we are dedicated to giving our children a broad and balanced education in a supportive and stimulating environment where every child's potential can be realised in academic, creative, physical and spiritual areas. Pupils strive for high standards, both inside and outside the classroom, take pride in their achievements and enjoy participating wholeheartedly in the life of the school.

We are now looking to recruit a passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic Director of Music from April 2025. This is a full time role which will involve teaching children in year groups from Nursery to Year 8. Ideally we are looking for someone who has knowledge and experience of scholarship level Music syllabuses for public schools.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

To oversee the running of the department in line with school policy
To provide support and advice to members of the department and instill the aims and objectives of the department and the school
To teach and manage the music curriculum throughout the school, including the development and monitoring of LTPs and MTPs within the department
To be responsible for the training of the school choirs, orchestral and musical groups and be able to accompany or conduct the groups as necessary
To enter the choirs, musical groups and pupils into the music festivals such as Sevenoaks Three Arts, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells & Hastings as required, Associated Board music exams each term accompanying pupils where necessary, and to encourage pupils to attend music courses where relevant
To organise and prepare pupils for school concerts, the annual Carol Service, the Form singing competition and in conjunction with the Head of Drama, the annual Prep School Play and Pre-Prep nativity and summer entertainment
To oversee the preparation of potential Choristers for Tonbridge School Chapel and to support them and liaise with Tonbridge School accordingly
To oversee the Peripatetic staff, maintaining a high standard of tuition and appointing new staff as required to meet pupil demands on instruments
To write and maintain the Departmental Handbook
To take part in Peer Collaboration within and across departments
To monitor and track the progress of pupils within the department
To attend Pupil Progress Meetings
To identify Able pupils and encourage their development via differentiation in line with our Challenge for All policy
To manage the departmental budget
To manage department resources
To attend Creative Arts departmental meetings regularly and jointly provide minutes of the meeting
To lead departmental evaluations and contribute to whole school evaluation and development planning
To attend HOD meetings
To assist in the induction of new members of staff within the department
To perform any reasonable task at the request of the Head

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

Qualifications –

Teacher qualification together with Qualified Teacher Status
Honours degree in a relevant subject

Experience –

Experience of teaching pupils in this age range
An understanding of the Kent 11+ system and public school examination systems including scholarship examinations
Experience of working in the independent sector would be beneficial
 

Skills –

Use an appropriate range of teaching and learning strategies
A confident and competent user of IT
Good organisational skills
Good interpersonal skills/effective communicator

Knowledge –

Subject knowledge sufficient to challenge able students and achieve high outcomes
A good understanding of curricular developments

Personal competencies & Qualities -

A strong commitment to effective learning and teaching
Determination to ensure that every pupil fulfils their potential at whatever level
To be prepared to enter fully and whole-heartedly into the life of the school
Evidence of being a strong team member
Enthusiasm and a positive outlook
Positive attitude towards professional development and their own learning
To understand the importance of providing equal opportunities with regard to the religious persuasion, racial origins, gender, disabilities, cultural or linguistic background of all children

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Inspired Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.