Queen Victoria School, Dunblane, Scotland
Job Summary
Founded in 1908, Queen Victoria School in Dunblane is fully-funded for tuition and boarding by the Ministry of Defence to provide stability and continuity of education, within the Scottish system, for the children of UK Armed Forces personnel. Service personnel who are Scottish, or who have served in Scotland, or who have been part of a Scottish regiment are given priority. Fully boarding, co-educational and tri-service (for Army, Navy and RAF children), the School takes around 270 pupils from the ages of 10/11 up to 18.
The Principal Teacher of Music and Art are responsible for leading, developing and oversight of music and art within Queen Victoria School. You will have the drive and ambition to deliver a dynamic curriculum, utilising modern pedagogy and ensuring music and art play a prominent role within Queen Victoria School.
As a middle leader, you will be expected to lead your department with professionalism, a collaborative approach and demonstrate reflective practice. You will ensure students are prepared for examinations and support other teachers within your department to ensure the students achieve the very best outcomes.
Defence Children Services (DCS) is a Defence delivery organisation, subordinated under Army Regional Command. Our Vision is that we Educate the Child – Support the Family – Defend the Nation. HQ DCS is UK based at Trenchard Lines, Upavon and has forward deployed staff all over the world. DCS is responsible for the education and care of children of accompanied Service and Defence entitled personnel in MOD schools and settings; provides advice and guidance in respect of education for service families in the United Kingdom and the wider world.
DCS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the children and young people in our care and expect all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices and hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.
All appointments are subject to an interview, identity checks, criminal record checks and successful references. Where possible references are taken up before interview.
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations.
This position is advertised as full time at 35 hours per week.
Job Description
The main roles and responsibilities are:
To lead the strategic development of Music/Art across all year groups, ensuring a shared vision and consistently high standards of teaching.
To identify strengths and areas for development in, implementing improvement strategies that foster both rapid and sustained progress for all students.
Ensure consistency with assessing, recording and reporting on the development, progress and attainment of pupils.
To inspire and cultivate a thriving musical/Artistic culture that enhances the school's academic and extra-curricular provision.
Ensure that the Music/Art curriculum meets or exceeds statutory requirements while integrating effectively with the broader aims of the school. Preparing learners for SQA examinations at National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Levels.
Preparing students for both the performance and written elements of the courses. To plan, implement, and oversee targeted interventions that support student engagement and achievement in Music/Art at all levels. Liaising with the Pupil Support Department on interventions, where appropriate.
Manage and timetable all peripatetic music teachers within the department ensuring accountability for student progress and engagement, providing support and challenge where needed to maintain high expectations.
Liaising with parents of students requiring additional lessons from peripatetic teachers.
Maintaining and developing the Departmental Improvement Plan, in line with the SIP and in line with DCS, National and school priorities.
To work proactively with the leadership team, other departments, and external organisations to expand opportunities for students and enhance the visibility of Music/Art within the school and wider community.
Attend Parents' Evenings and other meetings with parents as required, and provide parents with information about a pupil's effort, achievement and future pathways
Assist in recruitment of music/art staff and peripatetic music staff, line manage and support their professional development
Compiling the departmental budget and requisitioning materials necessary for courses and facilities.
Attending Principal Teachers meetings, holding regular Departmental meetings for the Department and carrying out Quality Assurance within the Department and cross curricular evaluation with other Departments.
To lead, develop, and promote extra-curricular opportunities in Music/Art, ensuring a diverse and inclusive programme of ensembles, performances, art exhibitions and dynamic art/musical activities.
All full-time QVS Teachers are also Boarding Tutors. At present this requires one duty evening per week of 4 hours and 8 weekend days per academic year (8hours per day). Boarding Tutors are paid an additional Boarding School Allowance.
As part of boarding school life, Boarding Tutors are required to assist in the Hobbies programme by offering a minimum of 1 night per week for 1 hour from October to March.
Attend our semi-regular Sunday Parades and school open morning.
Coordinate the music for morning assembly and facilitate the opportunities for pupils to perform during this time.
The Main Roles And Responsibilities Are
To lead the strategic development of Music/Art across all year groups, ensuring a shared vision and consistently high standards of teaching.
To identify strengths and areas for development in, implementing improvement strategies that foster both rapid and sustained progress for all students.
Ensure consistency with assessing, recording and reporting on the development, progress and attainment of pupils.
To inspire and cultivate a thriving musical/Artistic culture that enhances the school's academic and extra-curricular provision.
Ensure that the Music/Art curriculum meets or exceeds statutory requirements while integrating effectively with the broader aims of the school. Preparing learners for SQA examinations at National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Levels.
Preparing students for both the performance and written elements of the courses. To plan, implement, and oversee targeted interventions that support student engagement and achievement in Music/Art at all levels. Liaising with the Pupil Support Department on interventions, where appropriate.
Manage and timetable all peripatetic music teachers within the department ensuring accountability for student progress and engagement, providing support and challenge where needed to maintain high expectations.
Liaising with parents of students requiring additional lessons from peripatetic teachers.
Maintaining and developing the Departmental Improvement Plan, in line with the SIP and in line with DCS, National and school priorities.
To work proactively with the leadership team, other departments, and external organisations to expand opportunities for students and enhance the visibility of Music/Art within the school and wider community.
Attend Parents' Evenings and other meetings with parents as required, and provide parents with information about a pupil's effort, achievement and future pathways
Assist in recruitment of music/art staff and peripatetic music staff, line manage and support their professional development
Compiling the departmental budget and requisitioning materials necessary for courses and facilities.
Attending Principal Teachers meetings, holding regular Departmental meetings for the Department and carrying out Quality Assurance within the Department and cross curricular evaluation with other Departments.
To lead, develop, and promote extra-curricular opportunities in Music/Art, ensuring a diverse and inclusive programme of ensembles, performances, art exhibitions and dynamic art/musical activities.
All full-time QVS Teachers are also Boarding Tutors. At present this requires one duty evening per week of 4 hours and 8 weekend days per academic year (8hours per day). Boarding Tutors are paid an additional Boarding School Allowance.
As part of boarding school life, Boarding Tutors are required to assist in the Hobbies programme by offering a minimum of 1 night per week for 1 hour from October to March.
Attend our semi-regular Sunday Parades and school open morning.
Coordinate the music for morning assembly and facilitate the opportunities for pupils to perform during this time.
Person specification
The Ideal Candidate Will Have The Following Essential Skills
GTCS (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Standard for Full Registration (must be GTCS registered on taking up appointment).
Evidence of effective contribution to a whole school initiative.
Teaching experience across Secondary stages.
Knowledge of current initiatives.
Evidence of inspiring and motivating others.
Involvement in promoting and achieving an ethos for effective learning.
Knowledge of and commitment to raising attainment and achievement.
Contributes to ensuring that education of the highest standard is delivered to all students.
Has participated in the development and implementation of a School Improvement Plan.
Demonstrates a commitment to self-evaluation and contributes to quality assurance processes to improve outcomes for learners.
Demonstrates a knowledge and commitment to effective practices to include children and keep them safe.
Can demonstrate a range of effective strategies to promote positive behaviour.
Demonstrates experience of supporting children/young people with additional support needs.
Has good working knowledge of Staged Intervention procedures.
Evidence of engagement in a range of areas of school life.
Evidence of working with pupils, parents/carers, outside agencies and the wider community to improve outcomes for learners.
Involvement in presenting to a variety of audiences.
Please see essential requirements for Leading Learning, Raising attainment & Achievement and Supporting Learners in the attached Job Description.
Desirable Criteria
Additional qualifications or professional recognition.
Evidence of success in engaging all stakeholders in students learning and the life of the school.
Experience of leading and managing a whole school initiative.
Able to evidence commitment to continuous development.
Demonstrates success in using quality assurances processes to improve outcomes for learners.
Contributes to staff development to improve outcomes for learners.
Evidence of raising standards of attainment and improving the overall quality of learners' achievements.
Actively involved in promoting school priorities and developing the full potential of students, staff and parents.
Able to evidence commitment to continuous change.
Ability to promote effective teamwork and partnerships.
Experience of good communication in planning, organising and coordinating school activities.
A good knowledge and experience of Boarding School life.
Experience in working with outside agencies that promote wellbeing/ positive mental health/ Nurture within the school community.
Demonstrates an ability to seek, initiate and maintain links with the local and wider community that improve outcomes for all learners.
Qualifications
A teaching qualification (PGCE, PGDE or BEd) and GTCS Standard for Full Registration (must be GTCS registered on taking up appointment).
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Leadership
Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Leading Learning
Raising Attainment & Achievement
Supporting Learners
Class Observation
As a QVS employee you will become a MOD Civil Servant. As a teacher, you will also be a member of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). As such, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies and prides itself on being a supportive employer.
Other benefits for QVS/MOD Civil Servants and members of the GTCS include:
Highly competitive salary (SNCT scale), SPPA (Scottish Public Pension Agency) scheme and other wider MOD benefits - Civilian Discover My Benefits )
A generous allowance for Boarding School Duties.
Personal and professional development opportunities.
Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
Scottish Pension- Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA)
On campus car parking.
Access to excellent sports facilities, including a multi-gym.
Very favourable teacher/pupil ratio.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
At Application You Will Be Assessed Against The Following
Behaviours: Leadership, Working Together
Experience: Personal Statement, CV and Technical Skills: Leading Learning, Raising Attainment and Achievement, Supporting Learners.
Your Personal Statement (maximum of 750 words) should demonstrate relevant experience details in this advert and in the job description.
At the interview you will be assessed on technical skills and experience outlined in the job advert. You will also be expected to show evidence of outstanding teaching and take part in a class observation.
The successful candidate will be required to complete a Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) prior to commencing the role.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
Name : Janette Scott Laing
Email : Janette.Scott-
Recruitment team
Email : DBSCivPers-
Further information
Please see Further Information document attached.