Director of Music

      DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

          INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

Introduction from our Headmistress

At AESG academic excellence is delivered within a nurturing, family environment and
where staff place equal emphasis on the wellbeing of our pupils and developing their
individual characters. Each girl is nurtured and supported in small classes,and it is
our priority that each girl reaches her individual potential and becomes the best she
can be.

From  academic  competitions,  drama  and  sporting  performances  to  the  benefits  of
being an Apple Distinguished School, our aim is to cultivate a culture of curiosity,
resilience and kindness, where every girl can #BeMore.

AESG  is  more  than  just  a  place  of  learning;  it  is  a  much-loved  community  where
success  is  measured  not  only  by  the  girls’  outstanding  academic  success  but  the
strength of their character. AESG provides girls with outstanding pastoral support,
innovative  teaching,  a  broad  curriculum  and  a  fantastic  array  of  extra-curricular
activities.

The school prides itself on its Christian values, yet welcome girls of all faiths. AESG
respects,  celebrates  and  embraces  diversity  and  equality  of  opportunity  without
prejudice.  Our  school  motto  permeates  all  areas  of  school  life:  ‘Aspire  not  to  have
more, but to be more’.

AESG is a community. All our girls, from those in Nursery at the age of two, through
to Sixth Form at the age of 18, feel safe and secure and benefit from being in a school
positioned in a vibrant village environment.

The School has been awarded Apple Distinguished Status and is an Apple Regional
Training  Centre,  after  significant  investment  and  development  in  Technology
Enhanced Learning. Senior School girls bring their own iPads into school to enrich
their learning experience. Each teacher is also given their own iPad to support their
teaching and there are Apple TVs integrated throughout the School.

In June 2021, the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) undertook a full inspection
at AESG. Update?The School was given the highest possible ‘Excellent’ rating. The
inspection was focused on the pupils’ academic and other achievements, as well as
their personal development, with the school being found to be excellent across each
area.

We are a proud member of the Girls’ School Association and we value the importance
of an all-girls’ education and the benefits this provides for our students. There are
numerous opportunities for girls to develop both team working and leadership skills

and to help guide the school and their peers. In this way our students learn important
life skills which prepare them for the world of work and they leave us as impressive
young women who make a difference.

Mrs Caroline Wood
Headmistress

Vision Statement
“Aspire not to have more, but to be more”
(Archbishop Oscar Romero)

Our Aims

Academic
To  provide  a  challenging  and  stimulating
learning  environment  in  which  every  girl
fulfils her full academic potential, and thus
equipping  girls  with  the  knowledge,  skills
and learning attributes for success beyond
AESG.

To  deliver  an
innovative  and  future-
inspired  curriculum  embracing  the  use  of
intellectual
technology,
curiosity,  developing  creativity  and  a
passion for lifelong learning.

fostering

thus

an

offer

extensive

Enrichment
enrichment
To
programme  to  enable  girls  to  develop
leadership  skills,  foster  collaboration  and
resourcefulness,  grow  in  confidence  and
encourage resilience.

To  provide  a  rich  and  stimulating  school
experience  in  and  outside  the  classroom,
where  girls  can  explore  and  develop  their
interests and talents.

Spirituality
To welcome girls of all faiths who share our
values,  and  to  respect,  celebrate  and
embrace diversity and equal opportunities
without prejudice.

To present a supportive, open and inviting
environment  for  girls  to  explore  their
spirituality,  to  encourage  reflection,  and
develop  a  strong  moral  compass  based  on
our Christian foundation and principles.

Girls
To  create  a  supportive,  nurturing  and
happy  environment  underpinned  by  pro-
active pastoral initiatives, putting the girls’
wellbeing first.

in

To  empower  all  our  girls  to  flourish  as
the  21st  Century
strong  women
workplace,
with
to
their  place  as
take
confidence,  and
responsible,  active  and  global  citizens
bringing  about  positive  change  for  a  more
sustainable and equitable future.

communicate

Current Staffing

The School, which is split into the Prep and Senior sections, is led by the
Headmistress, Caroline Wood, who was appointed in September 2024. In the Senior
School, teaching staff comprise two Deputy Heads.

In the Prep School, teaching staff are led by the Head of Prep, Emma Scott.

The support staff are led by the DFO and comprise of administrative, estate, finance, ICT
Support, marketing and development and welfare staff.

The School employs a qualified librarian, technical support staff, visiting instrumental
music teachers as well as specialist sport and drama coaches.

Catering and cleaning are currently supplied by external contractors.

Accommodation

In  the  last  five  years,  an  ambitious  refurbishment  and  development  programme  has
transformed the School estate.

The  School’s  outdoor  courts  have  been  completely  refurbished,  along  with  the  Junior
Gymnasium. A new fitness suite and climbing wall have been installed.

Early Years provision has benefitted from the installation of outdoor play equipment and
the refurbishment of all four classrooms from Nursery to Year 1. Elsewhere, ICT suites have
been  modernised  and  infrastructure  upgraded,  as  have  numerous  specialist  subject
classrooms. The main buildings have had significant infrastructure improvements as well
as investing in state of the art technology.

Music at AESG

The Music Department is situated in a suite of rooms including one technology suite
fitted  with  Apple  Macs,  one  flexible  classroom  for  practical  work  and  one  storage
rooms  downstairs.  Upstairs,  there  are  four  practice/peripatetic  rooms  (all  with
pianos),  and  one  storage  room.  One  of  these  practice  rooms  is  also  used  as  a
departmental office when required.

The department comprises the Head of Department and a team of ten peripatetic staff
across  a  wide  range  of  instruments.  Some  of  these  staff  also  contribute  to
accompanying at concerts and events, workshops and enrichment activities.

The Music Department offers specialist classroom lessons across the age range. Pupils
are taught in mixed ability form groups at EYFS, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Key
Stage 3, receiving two class lessons a fortnight.

At Key Stage 4 we currently offer Music GCSE as an option subject and these students
have six lessons across the fortnight. Key stage 4 pupils follow the Edexcel syllabus.

The department also offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities across the age
range. The Music Department works closely with the Drama Department to offer a
school Production in both Prep and Senior schools on an annual basis. In addition to
this, the Prep School offers a Christmas Celebration for Years 3-6 and a Nativity for
Nursery – Year 2. Extra-curricular activities include Prep School Chamber Choir, Prep
School  Choir,  Senior  School  Rock  Band,  Brass  Ensemble,  String  Ensemble,  Senior
Choir,  Senior  Chamber  Choir,  Scholars  Group,  Wind  Ensemble,  Music  Production
ABRSM Theory Classes. The choirs in both schools join for the annual Carol Service
in the local Parish Church.

The  Department  enters  students  in  the  annual  ISA  competitions  for  Music  and
Musical  Theatre,  GSA  Choir  competitions,  The  Woodard  Music  competitions,  BBC
Young  Composer  and  National  Songwriting  competitions,  Song  Writing  Academy,
and  the  Alderley  Edge  Music  Festival.  Vocalists  are  encouraged  to  audition  for  the
Halle Choirs and the National Youth Choirs each year as appropriate. All students are
encouraged to attend theatre trips and concerts which link to their curriculum study.
In previous years the Department has run choir tours abroad, to Venice, Rome and
Salzburg.

Director of Music - Job Description

Responsible to: Deputy Head (Academic – Senior School) & Head of
Prep (Prep School)

We are looking to appoint a well-qualified and suitably experienced teacher to lead the
Music Department. The Director of Music role is a key middle leadership position at
our innovative and growing school.

The Director of Music will have overall leadership and management responsibility for
the musical life of the School, including the academic Music Department, co-curricular
music activities and events, and the peripatetic music teaching provision.

The Director of Music has overall responsibility to the Deputy Heads for the leadership,
development, delivery and promotion of academic and co-curricular Music in all key
stages (from EYFS through to the Sixth Form).

This  is  an  extraordinary  opportunity  for  an  outstanding  practitioner  and  musician,
who has the vision to shape the future direction of music at Alderley Edge School for
Girls. The post-holder will have an immediate input into how we develop and improve
our  music  curriculum,  co-curriculum  and  qualifications  landscape.  Outstanding
academic qualifications, teaching ability and musicianship are prerequisites, but we
are  looking  in  particular  for  someone  to  share  their  considerable  energy  and
enthusiasm for all aspects of music with the entire School and the wider community.
A broad, friendly and inclusive outlook is essential: the post-holder will be comfortable
encouraging and facilitating wider participation in music from those who are complete
beginners to supporting those who are already elite musicians. The ability to inspire
through practical demonstration is essential (not sure where this could go)

Key responsibilities as Director of Music:

Leadership

•  To determine the vision and strategy for Music at Alderley Edge School for

Girls from EYFS through to the Sixth Form.

•  To ensure best professional practice amongst all staff (including the

Peripatetic Music Teachers) in the Department.

•  To promote and maintain high standards in all aspects of the musical life of

the school.

•  To exercise overall responsibility for the work of the Department, including
overseeing curriculum music, extra-curricular music, and individual tuition.

•  To work with the Senior Leadership Team to attract applications for music

scholarships and coordinate a mentoring programme for scholars

•  To contribute to the delivery of academic Music, teaching to GCSE and A level

and promote high quality teaching and learning in this area.

•  To work together with the School’s Chaplain to ensure that the music for end
of term services, and school events mirrors the school’s aims and ethos.

•  To prepare the Department for an ISI inspection

Teaching

•  To teach in all key stages from Reception to Sixth Form.
•  To ensure that teaching within the department is of a very high standard and

to seek to improve the effectiveness of teaching within the department.

•  To enable pupils to acquire knowledge and make progress according to their
ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the
subject taught

•  To promote the use of technology and digital learning in Music and keep abreast

of relevant technological developments

•  To  foster  in  pupils  the  application  of  intellectual,  physical  or  creative  effort,

interest in their work, and the ability to think and learn for themselves

•  To create well-planned lessons and deliver through effective and appropriate

teaching methods, activities and management of class time

•  To show a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of

the pupils and ensure these are taken into account in lesson planning

•  To utilise effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging pupils

to act responsibly

•  To teach, according to their educational needs, the pupils assigned to him/her,
including the setting and marking of work to be carried out by the pupils in class
and at home

•  To assess, record and report on pupils’ development, progress and attainment.
•  To work with, and under the instruction and guidance of, the Deputy Heads, in
the  preparation  and  development  of  courses  of  study,  teaching  materials,
teaching programmes

•  To  contribute  to  the  development  of  the  curriculum,  and  to  be  aware  of  the

latest thinking in both subject and the national curriculum

•  To  staff  clinics  and  other  academic  support  measures  according  to  the

timetables and needs of the pupils

Extra-curricular and individual Music Tuition

•  To conduct and direct School’s ensembles.
•

 To oversee the programmes of music, and manage responsibilities for, major
concerts, musical occasions and ensembles during each academic year,
including Prize Giving Ceremonies.

•  To be present at the Music Department’s concerts, competitions,

masterclasses and recitals during each academic year.

•  In collaboration with the Head of Drama, to direct and produce the school’s

annual productions in both the Senior School and the Prep School.

•  To organise opportunities for the School Choirs / Ensembles / Individual

Musicians to take part in community events, concerts and festivals.

•  To organise Music Tours in the UK and overseas.
•  To arrange the weekly rehearsals of choirs, orchestras and other musical

groups.

•  To select repertoire for choirs and orchestras, including the musical content of

all concerts

•  To organise music for church services throughout the year, as well as Prize

Giving Services, the Carol Service and other special occasions

•  To collaborate with other departments to expand our music programmes and

reach new audiences.

Pupils

•  To ensure that all pupils are able to learn effectively
•  To be responsible for the monitoring of pupils’ progress and performance in

the subject, using data as appropriate

•  To be responsible for ensuring that pupils receive effective subject mentoring
•  To carry out regular scrutiny of pupils’ work as a means of monitoring the

quality of teaching and learning with the department

•  To analyse the performance of pupils on internal and external examinations
by completing the required documentation and to use this analysis as a tool
for departmental development

•  To offer a range of enrichment activities to pupils to promote the subject and

foster an enthusiasm for its learning

•  To develop the pupils use of technology within the classroom

Parents

•  To deal with parental concerns in the subject, first seeking advice from
members of the Senior Management Team and the Pastoral Team as
appropriate

•  To record on the CPOMS details of any contact with parents and use “My

School Portal” to promote the Music Enrichment timetable.

Curriculum

•  To develop the curriculum in response to the needs of the pupils, changes to

the National Curriculum and changes to examination specifications

•  To ensure smooth transitions between Key Stages in the subject, including the

transition from Prep School to Senior School
•  To regularly review and update Schemes of Work
•  To work with the Timetabler to plan appropriate staffing for each academic

year

Recruitment and Marketing

•  To organise departmental events for School Open Days in order to promote

the subject and the school to prospective parent and pupils

•  To promote the subject as a GCSE and A-level choice at Open Evenings and

Taster Days

•  To organise activity sessions for Year 5/6 Taster Days and Entrance

Examination Day, as requested by SLT

•  To provide information to the marketing manager about achievements and

events within the department

Resources

•  To manage the departmental budget
•  To regularly review the suitability of departmental resources, including

textbooks, equipment and online resources and to order new resources as
required

•  To keep good stock records and clear financial accounts
•  To ensure that the rooms used for the teaching of the subject are kept tidy,

safe and that they present a stimulating environment

•  To be responsible for Health & Safety in the faculty and to represent the

faculty on the School’s Health & Safety committee

Administration

•  To hold regular, well-managed departmental meetings to enable all members
of the department to contribute to planning and policy making, and to share
good practice. To record the minutes of these meetings

•  To work with the examinations officer to ensure that all paperwork for

external examinations is completed correctly. This includes entries, predicted
grades and marks for controlled assessment

•  To complete the Strategic development plan for the department
•  To produce the subject pages for the GCSE and A-level Options Booklets
•  To review and update the Departmental Handbook annually
•  To complete internal and external examination analysis

Pastoral

•  To act as a support Form Tutor when needed
•  To take an active role in all relevant pastoral matters

To undertake any further reasonable duties as requested by the Headmistress.

Desirable
These are extra qualities
which can be used to choose
between applicants who meet
all of the
essential criteria

Higher degree or evidence of
further study
Additional music or conducting
qualifications

Experience of delivering CPD/
INSET

Leadership of curriculum or
T&L development initiatives

Evidence of partnership
working with other
departments and/or other
schools

Person Specification: Director of Music

Essential
These are qualities without
which the applicant could not
be appointed

Qualifications  Good Honours Degree in Music

or related subject

Training

Experience

PGCE or QTS
Evidence of musicianship and
music qualifications
Evidence of Continuing
Professional Development

Evidence of capability to teach
Music expertly, confidently and
enthusiastically to all age
groups from 4 – 18 years

Outstanding skilled
musicianship and the ability to
accompany students to Grade 5
Level

Ability to teach Music to GCSE
and A Level

Track record of achieving
excellent results

Experience of leadership as a
Middle Manager

Leadership of teaching and
learning

Experience in leading the
performance management of
colleagues and / or contributing
to their professional
development

Up-to-date knowledge of
practice in other schools

Experience of ensuring
curriculum continuity between
Key Stages 2 & 3

Knowledge
and Skills

A highly competent piano
player who can accompany
pupils in recitals and music
exams

The ability to motivate both
pupils and colleagues

Strong interpersonal and
communication skills

Up-to-date and thorough
knowledge of developments in
Music education and pedagogic
practice

Awareness of implications of
curriculum change at KS1 -
KS3, GCSE & A Level

Excellent ICT skills –
Experience of teaching using
iPads and other technology to
enhance Teaching and Learning

The ability to lead conceptual
discussions on pedagogy and
methodology

Comfortable and confident in
leading meetings

Ability to incorporate the use of
technology into lessons, to
enhance pupils’ learning

Ability to generate, organise
and analyse data for specific
purposes

Strong communication and
presentation skills

Ability to market the
department to improve
recruitment and retention

Personal
Qualities

Highly developed interpersonal
skills

Aspiration to progress career
further in due course

Integrity, loyalty, positivity and
commitment

Ability to form positive
networks, in school and out

High expectations of self and
others

Willingness and commitment to
broaden links and seek external
partnerships

Commitment to equal
opportunity

Willingness to challenge
constructively the work of self
and others in order to
continually improve own and
team performance

Positive and flexible approach
to opportunities and challenges

Readiness to take ownership of
problems

Resilience and ability to work
under pressure and meet
deadlines

Good team player

Safeguarding

Full understanding of
safeguarding requirements

Commitment to implementing
whole school policies relating to
the safeguarding of children

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Salary and other benefits

The salary for the post will be discussed individually with the successful candidate.
Salaries are reviewed annually at the start of the academic year.

There is a 40% discount on School fees for the daughters of full-time members of
staff – this discount is pro rata for part-time staff.

The School offers membership of a pension scheme applicable to either teaching or
support staff. This post currently offers membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme,
with  both  employee  and  employer  contribution  rates  set  at  levels  published  by  the
Scheme. Given recent changes to these contribution levels, long term membership of
the Scheme is currently being reviewed.

Staff may purchase a lunch from the School dining room, and refreshment facilities
are available during the day.

We offer an Employee Assistance Scheme, alongside a number of other wellbeing
initiatives. There is free parking on site for all staff.

Other Information

The 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 applicants who are offered employment will be subject to an enhanced criminal
record check and the Children’s Barred List check for the Child Workforce from the
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which must be cleared before the appointment
is confirmed. Candidates will be required to submit the subsequent DBS Certificate to
the School prior to commencement of their employment. Candidates are also required
to present relevant examination qualifications for inspection at the interview stage.

In  accordance  with  the  Asylum  and  Immigration  act  1996,  the  School  will  require
candidates to provide documentary evidence at interview that they are legally entitled
to live and work in the UK.

AESG  adheres  to  the  Data  Protection  act  and  General  Data  Protection  Regulations
2018. As part of the application process we will obtain and process information about
you, including any  criminal convictions you may have. All information will be kept
confidential and will only be used to process your application.

If  your  application  is  unsuccessful,  all  your  information  will  be  deleted  from  our
systems and disposed of in a secure manner.

Upon appointment the successful candidate will be required to complete a medical
questionnaire which will be kept on their confidential personnel file.

The School is committed to equal opportunities for all of its employees and its policy
is available on request.

AESG  has  a  no-smoking  policy  throughout  its  buildings  and  grounds  and  a  smart
dress code.

Application Arrangements

An application for the post should be made by submitting to the Headmistress,
either in writing, or by email to staffrecruitment@aesg.co.uk, the following:

•  A fully completed AESG Application Form

•  A supporting letter outlining how your experience and/or personal qualities
would enable you to successfully fulfil the requirements of the post and
contribute to the development of a thriving School.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon, Friday 27
February 2026

Interviews will be held week commencing. 2 March 2026

Alderley Edge School for Girls
Wilmslow Road,
Alderley Edge,
Cheshire,
SK9 7QE

Tel: 01625 583028
Email: staffrecruitment@aesg.co.uk