Royal Tunbridge Wells, England, United Kingdom
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Job Profile Required from October 2025 - Summer 2026 - may extend to October 2026)
MATERNITY COVER DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
TLR 2B (currently £5645)
We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Curriculum Leader of Music to join an outstanding department and teach bright, well-motivated pupils in a supportive environment. The department is looking for a well rounded musician, however, confidence in choral and instrumental ensemble leadership, and preferably prior experience in middle leadership, are essential. The Music department at TWGGS has a strong tradition of, and commitment to, extra curricular activities, and an ability to make a full contribution to this programme of works is essential, including running regular evening concerts and running several weekly music clubs.
TWGGS is an 11-18 girls’ selective school of about a thousand pupils, where girls are encouraged to be as active beyond the curriculum as they are within it. Trips, visits and extra-curricular activities are unrivalled in the state sector, but, more importantly, it is an amazingly happy, positive community to be part of.
The successful candidate will be a part of a department of two in this very popular oversubscribed school, where the teaching of Music is compulsory from Years 7 to 9, and GCSE and A level courses offered. Pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 have one hour lesson of Music a week. At present the KS3 areas of study include whole class singing, elements of music, notation reading, music technology and a vast array of world music exploration.
Recent Musical events have included:
Whole school productions, most recently “Little Shop of Horrors” November 2024
Annual visit to Glyndebourne Opera
Links with Oxbridge colleges, and opportunity for choral evensong participation
Termly large scale concerts, providing music for whole school events, and regular smaller scale performance opportunities
Instrumental competitions, including the Kent Piano Competition
Local primary school outreach, e.g. hosting the annual Recorder Festival
As a department we offer a wide variety of inclusive extra-curricular activities for all to attend, all un-auditioned with the exception of our Joint Senior Chamber Choir, run as a combined endeavour with a local boys’ school. The school has a strong foundation of celebrating its high musical standards alongside a range of cultural and community pursuits.
Specific responsibilities
This post carries the following additional responsibilities:
● Manage (and when necessary recruit) a large team of visiting music teachers, ensuring pupils receive quality instrumental tuition; arrange for the necessary practical arrangements to be made; liaise with parents as appropriate.
● Line manage and appraise the Music/Drama/English technician.
● Ensure that pupils have regular opportunities to perform music in public, through Music Department, school and examination-related concerts. These may occasionally be held in professional settings.
● Oversee arrangements for practical music examinations, including hosting ABRSM and Trinity examinations termly.
● Provide music within school assemblies.
● Make arrangements for and conduct the annual Carol Service, enhancing the related learning opportunities for pupils.
● Work with pupils and peripatetic staff to provide music for Speech Day and KS3 Awards.
● Ensure that a diverse range of inclusive extra-curricular musical opportunities is provided, catering for different age ranges, interests and skill levels.
● Lead and organise Trinity Arts Award, up to and including Gold level, undertaken by a handful of Lower Sixth pupils. Experience required
● At least two years experience of teaching Music to GCSE level, ideally to A Level
● Preferably experience at middle leadership
● Ability to conduct and lead orchestras and choirs
What the school offers its staff
Benefits of working at TWGGS
● Access to training and development
● Discounts with local and national retailers, cinemas and restaurants
● Free tea and coffee
● Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme - wellbeing and advice ● Cycle to work scheme
● Free lunch on parents' evenings and on your birthday
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
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