Head of Music

FYA Education is working closely with a school in Slough, London, which is looking for a Head
of music to join their outstanding team. The main purpose of this post is to effectively lead and
manage the department to ensure that all students and staff reach their full potential. The HoD
must ensure that Music is an outstanding department by setting demanding targets and
providing effective support. An outstanding HoD will challenge both staff and students to
achieve far beyond their preconceived limits. An effective HoD will ensure that Music is an
outstanding area of achievement, both within the school and against national benchmarks.
Main responsibilities of the post
- To be accountable for planning, development, monitoring and evaluation of KS4
provision in Music
- To teach to a very high standard to both KS3 and KS4 where required
- To be accountable for high standards of learning, student progress, improved attainment
and support and challenge for students
- To comply with the range of duties and responsibilities of teachers as set out in the
current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document
Specific responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- To lead the KS3 and KS4 Music programme
- To lead by example through modelling excellent professional practice
- To actively support and hold staff accountable for their performance
- To ensure that student progress and attainment in music are outstanding
- To attend appropriate INSET, to contribute to the whole-school CPD plan with a view to
- To represent the department’s interests at school and local meetings as may be
schools and the community
- To respond actively to national, regional and local developments and initiatives, including
content, teaching practice, curricula and methodology
Operational role
- To undertake the duties of a Head of Department to an exceptional standard
- Coordinate the teaching of Music across the department
- To develop new schemes of learning in line with the changing curricula
- To ensure that the Music curriculum is differentiated and accessible for all students
- To lead analysis, organisation and distribution of all assessments
- To monitor the allocation of texts and further resources
- To carry out book looks, and learning walks in line with SEF and DDP foci
- To carry out student interviews in line with SEF and DDP foci
- To monitor the progress and attainment of individual groups following interim
assessments and put in measures of support with SLT
- To set up and maintain trackers to monitor the progress of individuals and groups of
students
- To ensure the tracker is accurate and up to date
- To keep abreast of changes to KS3 and KS4 curriculum and inform the department
- To provide training on KS3 and KS4 teaching and learning to the faculty during faculty
meetings
- To meet weekly with the line manager
- Set cover in the absence of teachers in the department
- To complete the performance management of teachers in the department
- To plan and prepare meeting agendas and items
- To plan and prepare for parents/open evenings and other similar events
- To lead department detention
- To be responsible for Music learning environments (classrooms, corridors and offices)
- To be responsible for allocating department consumables (stationery, exercise books
etc) and capitation
- To mentor ECTs and underperforming teachers
- To organise regular trips, in order for students to experience outdoor learning first-hand
Quality and Standards
- To support, develop and hold staff accountable for their performance
- To ensure staff in the department are undertaking effective CPD
- To monitor and support the teaching of schemes of work at both key stages
- To collect and keep updated a portfolio of work at each level to act as a guide for
moderation and for staff development purposes
- To oversee the academic progress of students in the department by using student data
and target setting to ensure that every student is reaching their potential
- To analyse interim data and put intervention systems in place to maximise progress
- Monitor student's attendance and punctuality and behaviour in lessons in the
department, ensuring that follow-up procedures are adhered to and that appropriate
action is taken where necessary
- To establish common standards of practice, and to actively monitor learning and
behaviour in accordance with school policies
- To have oversight of classroom and corridor displays in the department, ensuring that
they are attractive, relevant and regularly updated
Teaching and Learning
- Teaching appropriately the students assigned to them according to their needs. This
includes the setting, marking, and assessing of classwork, homework, projects and
visits, where appropriate
- Act as a role model in the provision of high-quality teaching, learning and assessment
- Contribute to the school’s monitoring and evaluation processes
- Keep records of students’ attendance, classwork and homework
- Endeavour to give every c