Director of Music

Director of Music

The Music Department is led by the Director of Music and consists of a Second in Department, Head of
Prep Music, the Graduate Assistant, as well as 12 visiting Instrumental Teachers. The music staff are a strong
team who work closely with other departments around the School.

The Senior Department is an inspiring and busy place to be with up to three groups rehearsing every
lunchtime and a full programme at the end of most days. Senior groups include three choirs, a Concert
Orchestra, a Jazz Band, Big Band, String Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Flute Group, String Quartet and multiple
pupil-led bands.

The Prep Department has three choirs (including a Pre-Prep Choir) a String Orchestra, a Rock Band and,
each term, various group instrument lessons are showcased.  There is at least one large-scale concert each
term, as well as numerous recitals, informal concerts, Scholars’ and soloist concerts. Concerts are highly
acclaimed amongst the parent and staff body, with many selling out within 24 hours.

Music is housed in a beautiful building incorporating the Chapel and an Apple Mac suite. An inspiring and
varied curriculum is offered with educational visits, practical and composing skills at the center of learning.

The Director of Music is responsible, through the Assistant Head (Co-curricular), to the Headmaster for the overall
delivery of the musical programme within the school, specifically:

•  the musical philosophy and policy of the School
•  the schemes of work for academic music and extra-curricular music
•  the School’s overall musical performance
•  reporting and celebrating achievements
•  the co-ordination and monitoring of the music budgets
•  creating and fostering links with the wider community
•  appraisal of full-time and part-time staff (including peripatetic staff)
•  the development of music and performance
•  planning and co-ordinating the extensive programme of musical events
•  liaison with the Prep School

The Director of Music will operate in the following areas:

1.   Leadership objectives

•  to teach and direct music to the highest standard (the academic timetable is 26/35 fifty-minute periods per week

primarily made up of classroom teaching)

•  to encourage, support and offer advice to all other music teachers and ensemble directors
•  to determine, in consultation with the Deputy Head (Academic) and the Bursar, the School’s requirements for

music staffing for the forthcoming year (with particular reference to Peripatetic Teachers)

•  to foster links with feeder schools, competitor schools and musical associations
•  to work closely with the Prep School Music Department to ensure a smooth transition between schools

through concerts and events involving pupils from both schools

•  to manage and develop the school’s best musicians, developing appropriate programmes for them
•  to encourage and develop younger and less confident musicians and maintaining the ‘inclusive’ nature of music

for which Warminster School has a strong reputation

•  to encourage representative achievements, putting forward pupils for regional and national representation as

appropriate

•  to play the organ (or arrange suitable alternative) for Monday and Friday chapel services in The Minster

•  to arrange for someone to play the organ for the Sunday evening chapel service in St Boniface Chapel
•  to arrange and manage annual Music Scholarship auditions in association with the Admissions Department
•  to arrange the annual ‘Inter-House Music Competitions’ in association with the Heads of Houses

2.    Administrative objectives

•  to interview and appoint new instrumental teachers in accordance with the School’s policy, thus maintaining a

balanced and comprehensive team

•  to inform the Headmaster and Bursar of appointments (including short term cover teachers) and arranging DBS

checks for new staff with the Bursars’ Assistant

•  to oversee the School’s stock of instruments, arranging repairs where necessary, purchasing new instruments as

appropriate

•  With the help of the peripatetic teachers, through demonstrations, encouraging pupils to learn instruments,

particularly rarer instruments that they might not necessarily consider

•  to liaise with parents regarding the progress of pupils and the satisfactory performance of visiting teachers
•  to arrange the annual ‘Meet The Music Teacher’ Parents’ Evening (February or March) so that parents have an

opportunity to meet the visiting teachers

•  to arrange Instrumental Grade Cards in December and End of Year Reports in June
•  to make every attempt to give general encouragement to all pupils taking instrumental lessons, both in school

and elsewhere; talking to them about their lessons and progress

•  to liaise with all visiting teachers about the pupils they are teaching, being available to discuss concerns and

achievements

•  to arrange for practical music examinations to take place at the school, processing entries and timetables and

publishing results

•  to keep the wider community aware of significant achievements in music
•  to ensure that notices are posted to inform the school of extra-curricular practices
•  to liaise with the Assistant Head (co-curricular) with regard to clashes of pupil commitment (relating specifically

to sports and school events)

•  to review and update all literature and websites about music at Warminster School

3.   Musical objectives

•  to maintain a high standard as a performing professional musician
•  to arrange a significant number of diverse performance opportunities for solo performers and ensembles
•  to encourage pupils to attend the ensembles most suitable for them, and providing an appropriate variety of

ensembles

•  to encourage new pupils to join ensembles, particularly Warminster Singers, to enhance their self esteem
•  to ensure that appropriate music is chosen for each ensemble and aiming for the highest standards of

achievement in each weekly rehearsal, and in all concerts

•  to plan a series of concerts throughout the year, ranging from lunchtime informal concerts to large scale events

with major ensembles both at school and at other venues

•  to be creative with concert planning so that pupils have different challenges and experiences during their school

careers

•  to plan other events such as Concert Tours and recordings as appropriate
•  to liaise with the Drama Department and act as Musical Director (or arrange an alternative) for the production

of the bi-annual Musical Theatre production

4.   The Music Department

In addition to the responsibilities above, the Director of Music also manages the Academic Music Department at
Warminster  School  and  is  responsible,  through  the  Deputy  Head  (Academic),  for  the  effective  and  efficient
management of that Department. These responsibilities, which are detailed on the attached sheet, overlap with
and complement the overarching responsibilities of the Director of Music.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT – JOB DESCRIPTION

Purpose of the Job

To manage the department as well as providing pupils with high quality teaching within the curriculum area(s).

To raise the profile of the department throughout the Senior School and to help drive the development of the subject
within the School.

To contribute fully to the life of the School.  In addition to teaching, this will require participation in the normal
supervisory and co-curricular duties undertaken by all members of staff.

The Key Areas, Limits of Responsibility and Criteria for Success as outlined below will apply equally to other subjects
or areas of experience offered by candidates.

Key responsibilities:
•  To be responsible for the teaching, and subsequent progress, of pupils studying the subject in the Senior School,

from KS3 to GCSE, A Level and as part of the International Baccalaureate (IB)

•  To prepare Schemes of Work and be responsible for all aspects of the management of the curriculum including

management of the departmental budget

•  To be involved with any other aspects of School life associated with the subject
•  To encourage and support the full integration of use of ICT within the Department
•  To be a fully integrated member of the Heads of Department group, to attend and contribute to meetings,

prepare departmental reports on examination performance, and development plans which contribute to the
School’s Strategic Development Plan

•  To play a full part in the life and running of this successful Day and Boarding Independent School
•  Boarding and tutoring duties are listed under ‘Key Responsibilities’ and ‘Limits of Responsibility’ for a general Head

of Department. However, given the nature of your role as Director of Music, you will not be required to
undertake any regular tutoring or boarding duties, but you will be on the emergency cover rota.

Limits of Responsibility:

•  To be ultimately responsible to the Headmaster
•  To report to the Deputy Head (Academic)
•  To run the Department in line with School and Departmental Policies
•  To undertake a pastoral role, including that of Form Tutor and House Tutor, in accordance with School Policy,

reporting to the Deputy Headmaster and Housemaster/mistress

•  To undertake a role in a Boarding House reporting to the Deputy Head and Housemaster/mistress

Criteria for Success:

•  Evidence that high standards of teaching and learning in the department are being maintained
•  Evidence of good differentiation for learners at both ends of the spectrum
•  Evidence of an enriched curriculum which incorporates appropriate extra-curricular events
•
•  Maintaining positive relationships with staff and pupils
•  Actively supporting the ethos of the School

Improved departmental “value added” results, year on year

M R Williams
Headmaster
2026

Warminster School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  All
successful applicants must be willing to undergo a criminal record check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Qualifications

Experience

Essential
•  A good Honours Degree in a relevant subject
•  A teaching qualification
•
•

Evidence of high-quality classroom teaching
Evidence of raising standards and of initiating and maintaining innovative
curriculum design and delivery

Desirable
•

Evidence of professional development

Method of Assessment
•
Production of the
applicant’s certificates

•

•
•
•

Experience of teaching A Level or the International
Baccalaureate Diploma
Experience in a pastoral role such as form tutor
Experience of working in a boarding environment
Experience of teaching across all relevant Key Stages

•  Contents of the
application form
Interview
Professional
references

•
•

Skills /
Knowledge

Excellent subject knowledge

•
•  Ability to impart key skills and attributes of a Warminster Learner (risk taking,
critical thinking, collaboration, communication, independence, problem solving)

•  An interest in fostering a varied approach to learning
•  An appreciation of the value of ICT in fostering

learning

Personal
Competencies
and Qualities

•  A commitment to improving pupil learning
•  An enthusiasm for the subject
•  An interest in fostering a varied approach to learning
•  An appreciation of the value of ICT in fostering learning

•  The ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
•  An effective motivator of pupils
•  An ability to work effectively as part of a team
•  An ability to keep to deadlines
•  A willingness to reflect
•  A good level of organisation
•  A good sense of humour
•  A commitment to co-curricular activities and to the School’s involvement in

the wider community

•  Alignment with the key values of the School (courage, integrity, kindness,

empathy, creativity, curiosity)

•  An understanding of Health & Safety issues within an educational setting
•  Commitment to sharing good practice

•  Ability to work using own initiative
•  A willingness to contribute to whole-school initiatives
•  A commitment to networking and the sharing of best

practice

•  An understanding of Health & Safety issues within an

educational setting

•  Commitment to sharing good practice
•  Good ICT skills
•  An appreciation of the learning needs of different

pupils

•  Contents of the
application form
Interview
Professional
references

•
•

•  Contents of the
application form
Interview
Professional
references

•
•