BRISTOL CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL
Head of Music
Applications are invited from charismatic, enthusiastic and suitably qualified musicians and
teachers for this exciting, rewarding and demanding post.
Bristol Cathedral School became an Academy in September 2008, with music as the lead specialism.
10% of the Year 7 intake are selected on musical aptitude as well as the 8 chorister places in each
year.
The School has a long and proud tradition of music-making and the department enjoys a high profile
within the School and Bristol as a whole. It has produced generations of excellent musicians. The
candidate should be able to inspire music-making that celebrates all styles and cultures and establish
a creative and innovative curriculum.
Founded in the 12th century and then re established by Henry VII in 1542, the choir school has
traditionally educated boy choristers. The school became fully coeducational in 2005 and the Girls’
Choir was founded in 2006. Chorister training and all music associated with Cathedral life is the
responsibility of the Cathedral Director of Music – Mr Mark Lee.
The Music Department
The department is housed in purpose-built facilities which include a large teaching and ensemble
room, an A level teaching room, music technology suite (running Cubase 5 and Sibelius 6), recording
studio, 6 practice rooms (soon to be 10) and a new Performance Hall (opens June 2011). It is very
well resourced.
Current curriculum staff are: Mr Eiron Bailey, Director of Specialism (Music and Maths), Miss Alison
Jury, current Head of Music, Mr Richard George, Music Technology and Mrs Alina Lynden, Music
Administrator.
As well as the music staff, we pride ourselves on excellent visiting instrumental teachers. There are
22 peripatetic teachers covering all orchestral and pop instruments as well as African drumming, pop
singing and production and soon, steel pans. Currently 31% of the school have instrumental lessons
in school and 40% participate weekly in an ensemble. These ensembles include 6 choirs (Boys,
Girls, Chamber, Gospel, ‘Carmen Avis’, Choral Society), 4 orchestras (Symphony, Sinfonia, String,
‘The Noise’), 2 jazz bands and numerous chamber groups (4 string quartets, ensembles for flutes (2),
percussion, acoustic guitar, brass).
There is a rich and diverse extra-curricular programme with concerts ranging from formal orchestral
works to jazz and rock concerts in a variety of venues. This academic year, we will put on over 25
performances with the most ambitious being two nights of Carmina Burana at the end of March. We
have worked closely with an excellent Drama department to produce musicals (‘Oliver’ in 2010) and
are planning a European tour for next year.
Many of our students continue to study music at University and Conservatoire.
In its vision statement, the School states it will develop music significantly beyond the requirements of
the Cathedral Choir and become a local and national centre of musical excellence. We aspire to be
the best Music Department in the country!
The Curriculum
Key Stage 3 students have two lessons per week. GCSE Music is a popular option (1/3 of the current
yr 10 cohort take music), and pupils go on to take AS and A Level Music and Music Technology.
Results for 2009:
GCSE 100% A* - C
A2 100% A grade
Results for 2010
GCSE 92% A* - C
A2 100% A - C
The Role
You will be an excellent classroom practitioner with clear leadership skills and creative ideas for
developing the department. We welcome applications from all musical backgrounds.
As well as teaching commitments, the Head of Music is expected to oversee the administration and
management of the department. This involves curriculum design, planning, monitoring and
assessment, exam entry (including ABRSM), extra-curricular music-making, weekly music
assemblies. You will work with the Director of Specialism in leading this flagship department in its
ambitious aspirations.
This table outlines these two roles:
Head of Music
Whole School responsibility
Head of Faculty
Specialism projects
Developing and managing a
Community Music School
Extra Curricular programme
Music Concerts
Music Curriculum
Department managing and
resourcing
Line management of music
curriculum staff
Line management of
peris/music administrator
Director of Specialism
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The successful candidate will be expected to teach across the full age and ability range and inspire
pupils to develop fully their musical aptitude.
There is an outstanding programme of continuing professional development and in-service training in
the school.
Person Specification
Attributes
Degree
Further Degree
Commitment to further professional development
Good communication skills
Ability to inspire and motivate
Good organisation
An inspirational leader and strategist, passionate
about teaching and learning
Respectful towards all students, with an unshakable
belief in their entitlement to a high quality
education, whatever their circumstances and ability
Committed to raising standards of achievement
through innovative practice
QTS
Experience of strategic leadership
A proven track record of teaching and learning
ICT literate
Music ICT expertise
Able to lead, motivate and develop people of all
ages to work individually and in teams towards a
common goal
Strong organisational skills and ability to work well
under pressure, delegate, plan and manage time
effectively
The ability to work well with external organisations such as the
cathedral, local primary schools and civic groups
Energetic and good sense of humour
Essential
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Desirable
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Salary
QTS + BCCS teaching & learning responsibility allowance R2 (£4,394)
Method of application
Informal enquiries can be made to the Principal’s PA, Mrs Annie Williams, who can be contacted on
0117 3535000.
Letters of application together with a completed application form, and a full curriculum vitae, should
be completed and posted online at TES Hire Wire.
Applications should be received as soon as possible and by March 25th at the latest.
Please note that all posts at the School are subject to initial and periodic checks with the Criminal
Records Bureau as the school takes every measure possible to ensure the safeguarding of its
students.
March 2011