PART-TIME TEACHER OF COMPOSITION (4 hours of employed classroom work in addition to one-to-one tuition as a self-employed Visiting Music Teacher) from September 2021

Characteristics of the School

Westminster School is a selective day and for boys aged 13 to 18 and girls aged 16 to 18. There are approximately 760 pupils in all: 360 (boys only) in the Lower School (Years 9 to 11); and a co-educational (one third girls, two thirds boys) Upper School (Years 12 and 13) of 400. One quarter of the pupils board, and the School is structured and run as a boarding school, with an extended day and week and a strong House-based system of pastoral welfare, for boarding and day pupils alike. is an ancient school, whose origins can be dated back to 1179 if not before. Its continuous existence is certain from the early 14th century. Henry VIII personally ensured the School’s survival by statute and , who confirmed royal patronage in 1560, is celebrated as the School’s foundress. Westminster is rare amongst long-established schools in remaining on its original site in the centre of . Its proximity to Parliament and , and the use of the Abbey for its chapel, together with the stimulating diversity of the South Bank and West End, account in part for its special atmosphere and outlook.

The School aims to be one of the foremost centres of academic excellence both in this country and internationally. Central to its academic ethos is the dialogue between teachers and their pupils, whether in the classroom or in tutorials, inspiring enjoyment of intellectual enquiry, debate and search for explanation and the development of skills of rational, independent thought well beyond any standard examination syllabus. The desired environment is happy, busy and purposeful; the pupils are intellectually, socially, ethically and politically engaged, with plenty of opportunities to develop initiatives and to articulate and defend their views, in line with the enduring values of the liberal tradition reflected in the School’s Charter. That tradition is fully committed also to the nurture of each pupil’s spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and well-being - with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies - and to the preparation of young people for fulfilled private and public lives beyond school.

The Post

The School seeks to employ a teacher of composition for two hours of contact time per week (with two additional hours of preparation / assessment time) to teach both the composition and compositional techniques (Bach chorales) elements of the Pearson Edexcel A-level course to one class of Sixth Form (Year 12) pupils. This employed work is initially a fixed term one-year contract, though there may be the opportunity to extend this depending on numbers of A-level Music students in future years.

For this employed work, the post holder will be line managed by the Head of Academic Music.

In addition to this employed work, the post holder will give one-to-one composition lessons in a self- employed capacity. This is self-employed work and hours will vary from term to term depending upon pupil numbers. It is difficult to predict how many hours of work this might entail for 2021-22. However, initially, it will most likely be possible to fit both the employed and self-employed aspects of the role into one weekday (Mondays).

We are seeking an outstanding teacher, and communicator with the ability to inspire the exceptionally talented and the less advanced in equal measure. A comprehensive understanding of Bachian harmony and counterpoint is also essential, and the ability to demonstrate this on a keyboard is desirable. As such, applicants should hold a good honours degree in Music and have experience in and passion for composing music. Teaching experience and proficiency in Music technology are both desirable though not essential.

Music at Westminster

Music plays an integral part of life at Westminster, where pupils are encouraged to learn and participate as fully as possible in a weekly routine of rehearsals, recitals and concerts. Many internationally renowned musicians have been educated at the school including , Alexander Shelley, , Christian Mason, Clemency Burton-Hill, Dido Armstrong, Gavin Rossdale, George Benjamin, Grace Chatto, , , Julian Anderson, and Donald Swann, Mika Penniman, and Roger Norrington.

Music is compulsory in the Fifth Form (Year 9) and pupils receive 65 minutes of tuition per week. The Department follows the new Edexcel GCSE specification. Of the 18 pupils that sat this new examination in the summer of 2018, 14 achieved a level 9 whilst the others achieved a level 8. Again, at A Level we follow the Edexcel specification, and students from the Harris Westminster Sixth Form are taught at Westminster alongside our own pupils. There are presently 8 music students in the Sixth Form (Year 12) and 10 in the Remove (Year 13).

Academic music standards are extremely high and a good proportion of music students go on to read music at university or music college. The Music Department has maintained a very strong reputation for composition, spearheaded by Dr Sinan Savaskan who has inspired composers at the School for over thirty years and is retiring at the end of this academic year.

Up to twelve Music Scholarships are awarded each year. Additionally, established in 2016, the Henry Purcell Organ Scholarship is awarded biennially by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey to encourage the promotion in the School of excellent organ playing, both in relation to the liturgy and more widely in performance, and to add a further strand to the strong links that exist between the School and the Abbey.

The Manoukian Music Centre, an excellent facility opened in 2005, is fully equipped with Rehearsal / Performing Hall, Recording Studio, classrooms including 2 Mac suites, practice rooms, rehearsal rooms and instrument storage to the highest standards.

Concerts take place annually in St John’s Smith Square, Westminster Abbey and the Barbican. The location of the School allows unrivalled opportunities to attend musical performances on the South Bank & West End.

Instrumental Music

There has long been a tradition of excellence in instrumental music at Westminster. Over 30 instrumental ensembles rehearse each week including orchestras, bands, three large string ensembles, numerous brass, wind and percussion ensembles and an extensive jazz programme.

Westminster musicians regularly attend the junior departments at the Royal Academy, Royal College and Guildhall, and a good number are members of national ensembles.

Choral Music

In recent times, the Choir of Westminster School has developed a national reputation for excellence as a Signum Records recording artist, giving annual concerts at the Barbican and performing regularly at venues including Westminster Abbey, St John’s Smith Square and the Houses of Parliament. The School’s Chamber Choir rehearses regularly throughout the week in preparation for twice-weekly services in Westminster Abbey, as well as regular evensongs in the School Chapel. There are additionally three other choirs that rehearse weekly, and 150 parents sing in The Westminster Choral Society which meets throughout the Lent Term.

Staff

A team of 50 members of music staff provide opportunities for all pupils at Westminster. In addition to the full-time members of academic teaching staff, there are Heads of Brass, Keyboard, Popular Music and Jazz, Singing, Strings, Woodwind, and a School Organist. Departmental logistics are coordinated by a Music Administrator, Music Secretary, Music Assistant, and a Music Technician.

The Application

If you would like any more information regarding music at Westminster please contact the Director of Music, Tim Garrard. Email: [email protected].

To apply, please send a letter of application, completed application form and a detailed curriculum vitae to [email protected] by Friday 11 June 2021.

Interviews will be held in week beginning Monday 21 June 2021.

In addition to an interview, short-listed candidates will be asked to teach both an A-level lesson on Bach chorales and a one-to-one composition lesson.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Westminster School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.