Teacher of Music

Job Description

Brighton College is seeking to appoint an outstanding Teacher of Music to start in either September 2021 or January 2022.THE DEPARTMENTAs one of the foremost school music departments in the UK, Brighton has a strong musical tradition. The department consists of three members of academic staff, two Heads of Instrumental Sections, an administrator and a large number of visiting music teachers. Housed in our outstanding purpose-built music school which was completed in 2015, the facilities include a Recital and Rehearsal Hall, a percussion room, individual teaching and practice rooms and a recording suite. In the Gilbert Scott Chapel, there is a fine 3-manual Bishop Pipe Organ and the department also regularly uses other parts of the campus for performance or rehearsal, such as the Great Hall.Academically, music is taught throughout Years 7, 8 and 9. There are currently 40 pupils taking the subject at GCSE, and 11 at A-Level and there are aspirations to grow this further. At present we follow the Edexcel syllabus for both public examination courses. Results in recent years have been excellent, with 100% A*-A at GCSE, 50% A*-A at A-Level. The department also has a comprehensive Oxbridge programme, with much recent success in this area.The Department runs a busy weekly programme of rehearsals for choirs, orchestras and numerous chamber ensembles. Over two-thirds of pupils in the school have individual music lessons each week.THE ROLE The successful candidate will be expected to make a contribution to college music across a varied portfolio of performance and academic activities. Teaching academic music across the curriculum, from Year 7 to A-level will be a key element of this. But an ability to contribute towards the departments extension programme, including a willingness to support pupils with applications to leading universities (including Oxford and Cambridge), will be a distinct advantage. We would also expect the successful candidate to run and/or accompany a variety of instrumental and choral ensembles. Strong keyboard skills are therefore desirable but are not a prerequisite for consideration, although there may be the option for the successful candidate to take on the role of College Organist is this is a skill-set they possess.All teachers at Brighton College are expected to contribute to the schools pastoral system, generally as a tutor in one of our 14 houses (of which six are boarding houses and eight are day). There is also an expectation that all teachers will contribute to the co-curricular life of the school, through the extensive Games programme, and/or through the leadership of one of almost 100 school societies. A Teacher of Music will naturally do this through a number of their core responsibilities in the music department, but candidates are encouraged to point to any interests and enthusiasms beyond music as part of their application.All teachers joining Brighton will have the benefit of guidance by an experienced mentor, whose role it will be to provide support during their probationary period. Thereafter, all teachers are expected and supported to participate in continuous professional development, throughout their time at the College.