LIMAVADY HIGH SCHOOL JOB DESCRIPTION POST TITLE: Head of Music REPORTS TO: Principal through Vice Principal (Curriculum & Standards) SALARY: Common Pay Spine for teachers plus 2 Teaching Allowances. Heads of Department provide professional leadership and management of their subject area to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and ongoing development of learning and achievement for all pupils. As part of the school’s middle management, they play a key role in the school’s strategic planning. Each Head of Department is supported by a member of Senior Leadership Team who acts as an immediate Line Manager and Mentor. This is a management teaching role within a secondary school involving regular and potentially unsupervised contact with children and young people. The post includes leadership and management of the Music department, with responsibility for curriculum delivery, pupil assessment, monitoring attainment and supporting behavioural and disciplinary processes. The role line manages departmental staff, participates in recruitment and performance review processes, and contributes to whole‑school planning. Duties include organising extra‑curricular activities and liaising with pupils, parents, SEN/pastoral teams and external agencies. The postholder is responsible for departmental safeguarding practices within the teaching environment, resource and budget management, and ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements through ongoing risk assessments to maintain a safe learning environment. The successful applicant may also be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grade and purpose of the post, as may reasonably be assigned from time to time. Specific Role Duties Relevant to Regulated Activity Teaching and supervising children and young people on a daily basis Regular one‑to‑one interaction with pupils Unsupervised contact with pupils during lessons and school activities Supervising and managing pupil behaviour and welfare Providing pastoral support within the departmental setting Organising and supervising extra‑curricular activities involving pupils Monitoring pupil progress, attendance and wellbeing Liaising with parents/guardians regarding pupil development Supporting safeguarding practices within the teaching environment Working with SEN and pastoral support teams Managing departmental staff working directly with pupils Participation in recruitment and supervision of staff with access to children Liaison with external educational agencies regarding pupil support Responsibility for departmental risk assessments relating to pupil safety Ensuring compliance with health and safety procedures in pupil learning environment Undertaking other duties appropriate to the post as reasonably required by the school PERSON SPECIFICATION NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria. SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/ Professional Membership Qualifications must be obtained at the closing date for completed applications\: Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland Hold a degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification which has prepared the applicant to teach music as his/her main subject Shortlisting by Application Form Experience Minimum of 1 year’s demonstrable experience of teaching Music at Key Stage 3 & 4 to achieve positive learning outcomes Demonstrable experience of using a range of teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of pupils Shortlisting by Application Form Other Be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) before taking up post Pre-employment Check SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Knowledge Knowledge of Northern Ireland Curriculum Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection policy/practice Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice Knowledge of a range of teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of pupils Knowledge of Information Technology systems such as digital classroom tools/media and the use of tablets/mobile technologies Knowledge of current assessment methods to inform teaching Interview Skills / Abilities Effective teaching and classroom management skills to inspire and challenge pupils to raise achievement Proven ability to provide a supportive, inclusive learning environment Ability to work collaboratively to promote positive relationships with pupils, colleagues, parents and the wider community Ability to work as an effective member of a team, and to motivate self and others Interview Values Orientation / Identification with School Ethos Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the School’s Values/ethos. You will find information about our Values/ethos on the school's website Interview SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications and Experience Hold a grade 6 qualification or above in Piano Minimum of 1 year’s demonstrable experience of teaching Music at Key Stage 5 to achieve positive learning outcomes Demonstrable experience and willingness to contribute to the extra curricular life of the school. This will include developing and leading the School Choir, taking a leadership role to deliver all musical events alongside taking a significant leadership role in School Productions. Demonstrable experience and willingness to work collaboratively within a school and/or across partner schools to enhance outcomes for all pupils. Demonstrable experience of strong music technology skills, including proficiency in standard digital workstation (DAW) platforms. Shortlisting by Application Form DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage. Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice. APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here. To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer