Director of Music – Bloxham School
Required for September 2015
Further Particulars of the Post
Bloxham School has ambition and it is an exciting time to join the school. We have a strong ethos and
a desire to develop students as critical thinkers and independent learners. The Director of Music will
be passionate about student learning, creative in their approach to teaching, have the leadership skills
to develop the department, and will raise the profile of Music at Bloxham School.
We are a school that aims to educate the whole person and a willingness to play a full part, both
pastorally and in the extracurricular life of a boarding school is essential.
Bloxham School is a thriving and flourishing place that believes in preparing students for life through
their experiences of a broad and vibrant curriculum. Thus the Director of Music plays a key role in
developing student creativity and expression. Performance lies at the heart of the musical life of the
School. Concerts and other musical events take place regularly with many ensembles performing in
external events. With over 40% of the school population opting to learn musical instruments and
choristers of the highest standard any new Director of Music would be building upon excellent
foundations.
The Department
The role of the Head of Department at Bloxham School is to be that of a leading practitioner who
actively contributes to the thinking and decision-making of the senior leadership team. The Director
of Music will have defined objectives and methods for achieving them. The subject area team need to
be led, managed and be able to evaluate their own department’s performance. They must be well
informed of current developments and innovations in teaching methods within their subject.
The Music Department comprises of the Director of Music and a further 3 full-time and part-time
teachers who teach students from 11-18 years old. In addition, it possesses a secretary and a host of
visiting music instrumental tutors. The department is located in a recently built music school located
at the very centre of the campus.
The Director of Music will strive to impart his/her enthusiasm for the subject and also to provide an
environment where individual pupils are challenged and encouraged. They will oversee all of the
extra-curricular Music programme, concerts, and performances and be responsible for enhancing the
Music department’s reputation.
Our desire is for the person appointed to take the department forward through excellent teaching and
learning, to raise standards and to develop a passion in students. We would welcome applicants from
both the state and independent sectors, the person appointed will be ambitious for the department
and themselves and will be able to think outside the box in order to lead the Music department into
the next phase of its development.
Personal specifications
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A love and passion for the subject of Music in all its guises.
Have a passion for working with young people and a desire to see all students develop
regardless of their music ability.
To be an outstanding and inspirational classroom practitioner with a proven track record of
delivering engaging lessons.
Will have experience in leading music at a range of ages and abilities.
The ability and experience to lead and manage a music department with vision and
enthusiasm.
The ability to enhance the music department’s profile and reputation within the school and
in the wider community, including increased engagement with feeder schools.
To possess ambition, set high standards for yourself and that of others.
To be well organised and administratively competent.
To be a qualified teacher with at least 3 years’ experience and possess good academic
qualifications.
To be in alignment with the Bloxham school ethos.
Experience of leading high quality music making.
Application Process
Candidates applying for the post should submit an application form and provide a short covering
letter.
All applicants invited for interview will be required to take a classroom lesson, and a practical
rehearsal.
Salary will be according to the Bloxham School scale and based on the successful candidate’s
qualifications and experience. Accommodation may be available.
The School
Bloxham is an independent, coeducational, boarding school founded in 1860, with 420 pupils of
whom 140 are currently in the 6th Form. Bloxham School is a member of the Woodard Corporation,
one of the few national organisations of schools that contain both independent and maintained
schools. The staff pupil ratio is approximately 1:8 and academic standards are high. The normal ages
for entry are 11, 13 and 16 and there are Scholarships and bursaries available at all entry points and
the successful candidate would be expected to help the Headmaster select Music scholars as part of
their duties.
Bloxham School stands in a very attractive North Oxfordshire village above the Cherwell Valley,
about three miles from Banbury and the M40, and 25 miles from Oxford. The school estate consists
of about 60 acres and there are many fine buildings. The most recent major project was the new
Library, which opened in April 2006 and other recent developments have included: a second
Astroturf hockey pitch, 2 new squash courts, Music and Art Schools have both been significantly
expanded and the Great Hall modernised as a performing arts centre.
There is a lively, friendly and forward-looking Common Room and most members live either on
campus or near the village of Bloxham and participate fully in the busy life of a boarding school. Staff
are welcomed into the sports organisation and they also assist with a wide variety of other activities
(academic, intellectual, cultural, outdoor and sporting). The boarding houses operate a tutoring
system and nearly all members of staff participate, each tutoring about twelve pupils. The life of the
Chapel is an integral part of a Woodard School and Common Room offers valuable leadership and
support in this area as well.
Further details of the school may be found on our website: www.bloxhamschool.com. Applications,
including a completed application form and the names and addresses of two confidential referees,
should be sent to:
The Headmaster
Bloxham School
Bloxham
Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX15 4PE
Or via e-mail to: vet@bloxhamschool.com
Candidates who do not return a completed application form will not be considered for the post.
The Closing date for Applications is 3pm, Friday 30th January 2015.
Interviews will take place at the school at the end of early February.