Head of Music

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The purpose of your role will be:

• To be accountable for leading, managing and developing the subject area.
• To raise standards of student attainment and achievement within the whole subject/curriculum area and to monitor and support student progress.
• To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students studying in the department, in accordance with the aims of the academy and the curricular policies determined by the Governing Body and Principal.
• To teach the relevant subject across the age and ability range.
• To facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential.
• To effectively manage and deploy staff, financial and physical resources within the department.
• To share and support the school’s responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Your main areas of responsibility will fall under the areas of:

• Operational and strategic planning (including formulating the subject and faculty improvement plans, and leading the development of appropriate syllabuses, resources, schemes of work, marking policies, assessment and teaching strategies)
• Ensuring the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high quality and cost effective curriculum and leading development of the subject and its delivery
• Staff development (including recruiting, building and managing an effective team of motivated staff)
• Student outcomes (including ensuring the effective operation of target setting, monitoring and evaluation systems and the input and maintenance of accurate student data)
• Pastoral system (including being a form tutor to a selected group of students)
• Teaching, including acting as an outstanding role model

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you:

• Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree, and, ideally, management training
• Demonstrate successful teaching of GCSE at good or better level
• Have experience of initiation and effective management of change
• Show evidence of raising achievement in present post and showing good value added for groups
• Have knowledge of current curriculum developments in subject and their implications
• Have good knowledge and understanding of current educational thinking
• Show good understanding of how children learn and how to raise standards of achievement
• Have good communication skills in speech and writing
• Display excellent organisational skills
• Are able to build and sustain professional standards and relationships with students
• Are able to contribute towards creating a safe and protective environment

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Teacher Development

At Harris, we have curated professional development pathways that will guide you towards achieving your career ambitions. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. With a strong network of passionate educators, expert development initiatives and a multitude of opportunities for career progression, your journey with Harris could be the most rewarding one yet. We offer a wide range of high quality teacher professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership.

Flexible Working

We are committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual’s circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.

Benefits

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance (usually £2,000 for Inner London and £1,500 for Outer London), a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

WORKING WITH US

Are you ready to change the world? Harris Science Academy East London is a new, small school with big ambitions. We are in the top 3% of schools nationally for year on year improvement and in the top 20 most improved schools in London. Join us on our mission to help our children become leaders in their chosen field with many leading in science and to become one of the top schools in the UK.

This is no ordinary school. Situated in an eclectic array of buildings next to the renowned Three Mills Studios (location of BBC’s Masterchef) amongst the iconic East London canal network, this is a unique setting to provide a life changing education for the children of East London.

We believe we will succeed in this mission through a relentless focus on the basic functions of a high performing school:

• Unified leadership and alignment behind a powerful mission.
• Exemplary student behaviour.
• A well-taught, unapologetically academic education for all children.
• Regular opportunities for character development.
• Every member of our school community is a leader. We believe that leadership does not have to be macho or at the expense of others.

Our values of GRACE help us to achieve success in a collegiate and sustainable way:

• Growth – the belief that we can always improve and that feedback from others is essential for our development.
• Responsibility – we own our decisions and recognise when we need to put things right or make a change.
• Ambition – the belief that access to the top grades, the best universities and elite careers are available for our children.
• Compassion – we are kind to others and grateful for what we have.
• Excellence – we prioritise doing the basics well day after day, so we build habits that lead to success.

The school joined the Harris Federation in September 2022. The Harris Federation is the most successful large multi-academy trust in the UK and the only large trust where disadvantaged students secured a positive progress score in 2022. We are hugely proud of the work we do to support the most vulnerable children in the UK. The Federation has made a significant financial investment in the Academy, with upgrades to Sixth Form provision, buildings and IT. The Federation subject consultants provide industry leading support to middle leaders to deliver the best education possible for all children across the Federation.

If you are aligned, driven and committed to doing what works, this is an excellent opportunity to join an organisation undergoing rapid transformation.