Director of Music (King’s Ely Junior) September 2020

Contents

Information for Applicants • About the School

• Music at King’s Ely

Director of Music (KEJ) • Job Description

• Person Specification

Terms and Conditions How to Apply

Information for applicants

About the School King’s Ely can trace its origins from at least 970AD, making it one of the oldest schools in Europe. Originally a monastic foundation and then a grammar school by Royal Charter, today it is a thriving independent day and boarding school for around 1000 boys and girls aged from 2-18, offering a broad range of GCSEs and A-levels and from which almost all pupils go on to good universities in the UK and abroad. Most students are day pupils from Ely, Cambridge and the surrounding area, and there are also about 200 boarders with over 40 nationalities represented overall. The School is subdivided into three sections: King’s Ely Senior (age 13-18) and King’s Ely Junior (age 7-13), which occupy adjacent campuses and shared facilities, and King’s Ely Acremont and Nursery (ages 2-6) which has its own self-contained campus about 400m from the main site. The main campus extends to around 70 acres in total and comprises several historic buildings adjacent to Ely Cathedral as well as more recent, purpose-built facilities spanning the thirteenth to the twenty-first centuries, and almost 40 acres of playing fields. King’s prides itself on being an academic school but not an academic hothouse. There is a great emphasis on personal development through an extensive co-curriculum of sporting, creative and performing arts and service opportunities as well as through building positive relationships with others in a tight-knit but outward-facing community. The safety, wellbeing and pastoral care of the whole community is central in what is a happy and purposeful school where our diversity and breadth of talent and ability is valued and nurtured. King’s Ely also plays a key role in the local community. The School is one of Ely’s largest employers and also educates the boy and girl choristers of Ely Cathedral. King’s is also a proud founder member of the Cambridgeshire Educational Partnership, which numbers twelve local schools working together to improve educational attainment, especially for disadvantaged children. The School also offers a number of bursaries to enable pupils from all walks of life to benefit from the education it offers. King’s Ely is a registered charity administered by a Board of Governors. The Principal is a member of HMC and the School is also affiliated to the Society of Heads, IAPS, the Boarding Schools’ Association and the Choir Schools’ Association.

Music at King’s Ely

Music is an important part of life at King’s throughout the school, which is home to both Ely Cathedral Boys’ Choir (Ages 7-13) and Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir (Ages 11-16) and a centre of musical excellence regionally. We engender an appreciation of music in all forms as part of the holistic education we provide for pupils; the fulfilment and joy experienced as both an individual and within groups are features of our music-making. Our focus is on developing practical musicianship, theory and technical excellence, at whatever level; and to provide challenges and opportunities to enable musicians of all abilities to fulfil their potential. As such, King’s has a proud record of producing musicians of note among its alumni. Scholarships are offered at 13+ and 16+, and exceptionally at other ages, which may be augmented by means-tested bursaries. There is a specific programme for Music Scholars and Award holders. Facilities for music are excellent. The school enjoys regular use of Ely Cathedral (The Ship of the Fens) for concerts, recitals and services, the Hayward Theatre provides a large auditorium which is in regular use for choral, instrumental and theatrical performances. Adjacent is the Recital Hall, within the purpose-built Gibson Music School, which is at the heart of the school’s campus. Organists are encouraged to make use of the three organs the school has access to in its two chapels and Ely Cathedral. A dedicated wing of the King’s Ely Junior building is devoted to class, ensemble and individual music teaching. The Morbey Hall in the Junior building is in regular use as a venue for performances of all kinds. Junior assemblies and services all contain musical elements and these are held in both Ely Cathedral and The Morbey Hall each week. At King’s Ely Junior each class or form has a curriculum music lesson per week. Choristers receive additional music theory teaching as part of their weekly schedules. Musicians of all levels are encouraged to develop their interests through a series of instrument tasters and master classes which are provided for them as part of the schemes of work. The learning of instruments is encouraged within the school generally. 30 visiting music teachers deliver over 250 individual music lessons each week at King’s Ely Junior and there are currently 27 ensembles and groups on offer each week to the pupils. Orchestra, Wind Band, King’s Voices and the inclusive choirs for children in Years 3 to 6 add to the extensive range of opportunities pupils have access to. Opportunities to tour, perform or contribute to the wider life of the surrounding community are welcomed. Recent tours have included visits to Belgium and France for choirs and the Junior band. The Junior choirs have sung Evensong at St.Paul’s Cathedral and the children have participated in a range of outreach and partnership concerts and workshops, including the high profile King’s Choral Day. They will be singing in St.George’s Chapel, Windsor in November. In addition both the Cathedral Choirs enjoy regular opportunities to tour internationally. Musical Theatre is a popular element of the school’s provision and many Junior children have enjoyed combining their musical skills with their passion for performance through contributing to one of the spectacular productions. Recent musical theatre productions for the Junior pupils have included Lion King, Seusical the Musical, Cats and Oliver.

Director of Music (KEJ)

Job Description

The Director of Music (KEJ), will have specific responsibility for music at King’s Ely Junior (ages 7 - 13), with input into other sections of the School to ensure a continuum of development from KEA through to Senior levels. He/she will report to the Principal on whole-school matters, but for day to day matters be line managed by the Head of KEJ and the Director of Music (whole school) who will work very closely with the Director of Music (KEJ). The post is a management role and as the Director of Music (KEJ) will be responsible for the health of music at King’s Ely Junior a definitive list of tasks and responsibilities is impossible. However, as an indication responsibilities will include the following. He/she will:

General

• Have a clear overall vision and strategy for both the development of musical excellence in KEJ and the participation by pupils of all abilities in musical activities for enjoyment and lifelong engagement.

• Give inspirational, dynamic leadership and motivation, ensuring that all forms of musical endeavour have clear direction and that the teachers responsible for delivering them work together to achieve a shared set of aims.

• Ensure the delivery of excellence within engaging individual music lessons on behalf of music teachers, overseeing timetabling and communication between colleagues, pupils and parents.

• Foster a collegiate relationship with the Director of Music (whole school), the Cathedral’s Director of Music, the Director of Drama and Theatre and the wider community of musicians within the school and at Ely Cathedral.

• Develop close liaison with feeder prep and maintained schools to encourage and facilitate transfer of talented young musicians to King’s Ely Junior.

• Liaise with the Co-curricular Committee and SLT to devise an imaginative and inclusive music programme for all.

• Ensure that an effective extension programme exists for the development of the choristers, instrumentalists and singers at the school.

• Supervise, track results and oversee arrangements for KEJ music Grade examinations and entries, providing accompaniment as required.

• Oversee and contribute to a diverse and inclusive schedule of Junior concerts, recitals and musical performances.

• Lead the provision of activities to build the profile and communicate the quality of music at KEJ to external audiences.

• Identify ambitious targets for the Department and individual pupils; making appropriate plans, promoting opportunities and leading enrichment and extension opportunities.

• Actively manage the dissemination of information about musical opportunities to pupils, staff and parents to celebrate the success of Junior musicians and the vibrancy of what is on offer to children at the school.

Finance, facilities and equipment

• Have responsibility for the KEJ Classroom Music Budget, overseeing the management of music, instruments and equipment used within teaching.

• To contribute to the whole school strategic development planning process on behalf of KEJ music.

• Liaise with the School’s Custodian staff to ensure all venues are prepared and liaise with appropriate parties over the use of Junior music facilities.

• Ensure all aspects of Health and Safety are fully understood and procedures followed at all times within the KEJ Music Department.

• Liaise with the member of staff responsible for letting of facilities regarding musical events outside of the school day and/or term time.

• Ensure that all Risk Assessments for music lessons, the Junior teaching spaces, Junior musical concerts and performances and any special event or activities are up to date and regularly reviewed.

• Ensure that all instruments and classroom equipment are organised, stored and maintained appropriately and treated with due care.

• To assist in the production and communication of up-to-date policies and procedures to be undertaken that relate to music provision and facility use at KEJ.

Staff management

• Manage visiting specialist music teachers whilst they are working in KEJ, liaising with the Director of Music (whole school) as required.

• Help with the recruitment of staff teaching music at KEJ, with appropriate input into recruitment in other sections of the School.

• Ensure that each music teacher is managing his/her load effectively and working with colleagues as a part of a cohesive through-school music department.

• Teach a reduced timetable in KEJ and from time to time, in other sections as required.

• Contribute to the Professional Development Reviews (PDRs) of those teaching music

• Ensure all new music teachers have completed appropriate induction especially with regard to Health & Safety and Safeguarding requirements.

Tours, Outreach and Partnerships

• Ensure that a regular and inclusive programme of instrumental or choral music tours are provided for Year 7 and 8 children in KEJ.

• Contribute to the range of enrichment opportunities offered by KEJ as part of its outreach work with local, feeder schools – most notably King’s Choral Day each year.

• Work with the Director of Music (whole school) as representatives of King’s Ely with other Cambridgeshire Educational Partnership schools to develop new opportunities, CPD or shared projects for the benefit of King’s Ely students, the KEJ Music Department or the King’s Ely community.

• Ensure that all areas of KEJ music link with external organisations in order to help students access enrichment and extension opportunities and integrate with the wider community of musicians wherever possible.

Teaching

• A reduced timetable of academic music lessons spread across the age range.

• Leading ensembles, groups and choirs as appropriate.

• Monitor and evaluate the music teaching within the Junior section of the school, contributing to academic reviews, development planning and strategic initiatives.

• Contribute to the Professional Development Reviews (PDRs) of all teachers of music within KEJ.

• Have the opportunity for involvement in & contribution to the other sections and wider musical life of this thriving 3-18 school.

• Lead the liaison with those delivering music theory lessons to KEJ students, contributing to the lessons as needed.

Music-related activities

• Run KEJ Hymn Practice on a weekly basis, liaising with the Chaplain and First Deputy.

• Ensure Major Junior Colours are awarded appropriately to leading musicians in Year 6.

• Prepare candidates for scholarship attempts during Year 8 – both at King’s Ely and for other leading independent schools, liaising with parents and other Directors of Music as necessary

• Oversee the organisation of the annual KEJ inter-House Music Festival.

• Ensure that the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), has regular information on all KEJ musical initiatives and attend SLT meetings regularly, by invitation, to offer updates and consult.

• Liaise with those responsible for leading drama in all sections of the school to plan KEJ musical theatre productions and related schedules in preparation for performances.

• To monitor and help to maintain the sensitive balance of creative opportunities offered at KEJ, ensuring that pupils are not over-committed or experiencing undue pressure.

• Encourage students to try out for representative musical opportunities, at local, regional or national levels.

• In liaison with the Marketing and Media Department, co-ordinate publicity and ensure effective communication, via traditional, electronic and social media platforms, for all aspects of music at King’s Ely Junior.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be:

Essential Desirable

Specialist skills and

Experience

• Candidates will a qualified and experienced teacher of music at primary, Prep or Senior level.

• Specialist music qualifications.

• Excellent keyboard skills.

• Knowledge of the standard of music required in a leading independent choir school.

• Competence and confidence in the use of ICT for teaching and administrative purposes.

• Flexibility to accommodate variations in the make-up of the pupil body from year to year.

• A high standard of personal musical achievement.

• Prior experience in a school with a strong choral and instrumental tradition.

• Experience of preparing musicians for competitive music scholarship assessments.

Personal Qualities

• Professional integrity and high standards of personal presentation.

• Ability to lead and inspire colleagues, including non-specialists who assist with music.

• Ability to understand the needs, challenges and opportunities of an independent school community.

• Outstanding personal relations and team working skills.

• Commitment to and an understanding of the values and aims of the School.

• Energy, charisma and dynamism with the vision and drive to relentlessly develop King’s Ely Junior music to a higher level.

• Ability to promote and actively ‘market’ King’s Ely music both within the school and outside it.

• Ability to think creatively.

• Availability for a range of events outside the school day, including at weekends when required.

• Availability for regular tours during holiday periods.

• A fine sense of humour.

• A commitment to pupil welfare and safeguarding

Terms and Conditions

King’s Ely has its own, generous salary scale. The salary for the Director of Music (KEJ) will be commensurate with experience and will recognise the major responsibility this post entails within King’s Ely Junior.

• Members of staff are entitled to educate their own children in any of the three parts of the school. There is a staff discount for children’s fees from Reception Year onwards; the total staff discount value for school fees is 50% for full-time staff, reduced pro-rata for part-time staff, subject to an overall school fees remission limit of 50% of their gross salary. All extra items are to be paid in addition.

• The school offers a private healthcare insurance scheme, which staff may opt to join shortly after the start of each academic year (the policy year starts on 1 November each year). The scheme can only be joined at the start of the policy year, not part-way through the year. P11D/HMRC BIK applies.

• Members of staff are entitled to 10% discount on all King’s Ely school uniform ordered for their own children from Schoolblazer.

• School lunch provided when at work over lunch time.

• A cycle to work scheme available (administered by Evans Cycles).

• Use of school gym facilities (during specific times) and use of the school swimming pool at specific times (during summer)

How to apply - Completing your application

• All sections of the form should be completed as fully as possible.

• You may support your completed application form with a CV, however this is not a requirement. On the CV, you may include a third referee.

• Please accompany your application form with a covering letter explaining your reasons for applying for this position. Please also give details of how your skills, qualities and experience meet the requirements of the job description and/or person specification. For teaching roles, this should be no longer than two sides of A4.

• King’s Ely is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

• If you are selected for interview, you will need to provide proof of identity, birth certificate, documentation confirming your National Insurance Number or your right to work in the United Kingdom and certification of qualifications.

• Please email your completed application to recruitment@kingsely.org. We appreciate your effort in completing this application and for your interest in working for King’s Ely. Website: www.kingsely.org Charity Number: 802427 Company Number: 2440509