Head of Academic Music SS4

• Job Summary
• Brighton College is seeking to appoint a Head of Academic Music to start in January or April 2026. The Department

  The Music Department at Brighton College is a vibrant and dynamic part of school life, staffed by four academic teachers and four Heads of Instrumental Sections. We foster a joyful and inclusive approach to music, where academic and co-curricular strands are closely integrated.

  Music is a popular choice at both GCSE and A-level, and in recent years has been one of our fastest growing departments at GCSE. Results are outstanding: 100%of pupils achieved A*-A at A-level in 2025, and we regularly achieve over 95% 9-7 at GCSE. The department follows the Edexcel specification for GCSE and Eduqas for A-level.

  Brighton College has a proud musical tradition and exceptional facilities. In 2015, the school opened a purpose-built Music School at the heart of the campus. This includes a Recital and Rehearsal Hall, percussion/rock room, individual practice and teaching rooms, and a professional grade recording suite. The opening of the 400-seat Cairns Theatre in 2024 has provided a world class space for performance and rehearsal space for ensembles, alongside additional state of the art suites dedicated to music technology.

  Our extensive co-curricular programme includes a Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Chapel Choir, Concert Band, Swing Band, and a variety of instrumental ensembles such as Flute, Brass, and Saxophone groups. We also run a growing Music Production Club using our dedicated Mac suite.

  The Chamber Choir sings at weekly Chapel services and major events such as Remembrance and Carol Services. They have performed as visiting choirs at prestigious venues including St Paul’s Cathedral, St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and Westminster Abbey. Chamber music is a particular strength, with ensembles regularly competing in the National Pro Corda Festival.

  The department organises regular music tours abroad. Recent trips include performances at the Palco Venier Jazz Festival in Lake Garda and the Vienne Jazz Festival in France. Our Choral Society stages two major concerts annually, with recent repertoire including Mozart’s Requiem and Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Musical theatre is another highlight of the College’s cultural calendar, with past productions including Into the Woods, Les Misérables, and Hadestown.

  Academic results continue to be exceptional. Many Old Brightonians pursue music at leading institutions, including Oxford and Cambridge, Leeds Conservatoire, NYU, King’s College London, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

  
  General Duties and Responsibilities The post holder will:

  • Provide inspirational teaching and leadership within the academic music department, not only to consolidate the important place of music within the school, but also to foster excellence in all that the department does.

  • Promote the study of music and be a role model for both pupils and colleagues as an outstanding classroom practitioner.

  • Oversee and manage the delivery of curriculum music lessons for all year groups.

  • Liaise with the Director of Music and Deputy Head (Academic) in matters of setting and monitoring of pupils’ progress in Music.

  • Develop and update schemes of work to ensure that a varied and inspiring curriculum is always maintained.

  • Observe and support graduate and ECT’s to promote outstanding and inspiring pedagogy in the music classroom.

  • Oversee public examination entries for music at GCSE and A-level and oversee all matters relating to the preparation and submission of coursework.

  • Attend regular music departmental meetings and take a lead on matters relating to academic music.

  • Attend regular head of department meetings.

  • Oversee the provision of extra-curricular music theory lessons, particularly for lower ability musicians in the fifth and sixth forms.

  • Lead on the department’s Oxbridge preparation programme and support all music pupils in university and conservatoire applications.

  • Contribute to the pastoral life of the school as a tutor.

  Role Specification

  We are seeking a talented musician and educator who can deliver inspiring teaching in the classroom, and work collaboratively with pupils and colleagues to both maintain and develop the overall academic provision of the department. The post holder will take the lead in all matters related to music within the curriculum and supporting pupils with university and conservatoire admissions. The post would particularly suit a music educator with an excellent track record in the classroom who is passionate about pedagogy. The ability to inspire children is key, as is a willingness to support the ambition and values of the school and to be involved in a breadth of college life.

  Additionally, all teachers at Brighton College are expected to contribute to the school’s pastoral system, generally as a tutor in one of our 16 houses (of which six are boarding houses and ten are day).

  There is also an expectation that all teachers will contribute to the cocurricular life of the school, through the extensive Games programme, and/or through the leadership of one of almost 100 school societies.

  Candidates are encouraged to point to interests and enthusiasms as part of their application. All staff have the opportunity to contribute to our super-curricular Masterclass programme; this is a series of sessions focusing on an area of personal academic or cultural interest.

  These have included subjects such as Magical Realism, Cuisine and Culture and Great Debates in History.

  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.

  For full details of the role please see the Job Profile Document below.
• Category
• Senior School Teaching
  (Senior School Teaching)
• Vacancy Type
• Permanent/Full Time
• Salary
• Brighton College has its own pay scale, above that of the maintained sector. There is also an excellent and flexible benefits package, the contents of which can be controlled by individual teachers themselves. Generous fee remission is also available for dependent children in either the Prep School or College, subject to a place being offered. All of our teachers are enrolled into the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS).
• Job Profile
• Job Profile document