QUEEN ELIZABETH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Due to the promotion of Mr Ian Lenihan as Director of Music at Ackworth School, the need has arisen to appoint a new Assistant Director of the Music Department at QEGS.
Applications are invited from enthusiastic committed teachers to join a successful department to teach across the full secondary age range.
QEGS MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Accommodation and Facilities
M1: Large classroom with computer and interactive screen and internet facility; five full size keyboards; grand piano; drum kit; electronic drumkit and Jam hub facility; amps; timpani x3; large xylophone; hi-fi stereo; 12 acoustic guitars; 8 electric guitars ; 6 bass guitars; 60 collapsible ‘RAT’ music stands; sound system. The room is ideal as a rehearsal area for major ensembles as well as for class teaching.
M2: Large classroom set out as a keyboard room with 13 keyboards and is also used as a class teaching area and a rehearsal room for smaller teaching groups. It houses a computer with interactive screen and internet facility; drum kit; amps; hi-fi stereo; sound system. It also has 2 small adjoining rooms which are currently used as storage facility.
Between the two main teaching rooms is the music staff room with 3 administration computers each with internet facility, and a colour printer and a further storage facility which houses technical equipment
M3: Houses 15 computers together with an interactive teaching screen attached to one unit; sound system; electronic drum kit and Jam Hub facility. A room at the end of this facility houses a piano and printer and a large collection of printed ensemble music. The room also stores stationary equipment. The long term plan is to turn this area into a recording booth.
Beyond M1 the department extends to incorporate a new listening and reference facility primarily for academic music students. The room houses an extensive record and CD collection; includes 8 Coomber CD/Cassette listening units; 2 record players; electronic drum kit and Jam Hub facility; 6 computer workstations; Minidisc recorder; amplifiers and sound system; multi CD/DVD recorder; DAT tape recorder; TV &Video; and clavinova.
In a separate area known as the Music Centre close to the year 11 Quadrant there is the Instrumental teaching resource which consists of 10 recently refurbished (2005) teaching rooms together with staff room. Each teaching room has a CD facility, central heating a full length mirror and table. Most rooms have a piano or keyboard. Some rooms have amplifiers and 4 rooms have drumkits. The staff room is well equipped with leather sofa; fridge; microwave oven and kettle. There are also male and female toilets. There is also a separate drum lodge where percussion lessons take place. This is equipped with drumkit, piano, and CD with amplifier. These rooms are used by our team of 21 visiting instrumental teachers. Junior school boys use this facility and walk across for their individual lessons. Over 400 boys currently have timetabled instrumental lessons. H/Appointment/JDAsstDirectorofMusic 1
Year 12 and 13 A-level musicians also enjoy the music department facilities afforded by WGHS.
Courses Studied
The Music Department currently consists of two full time and one part time members of staff, together with an instrumental team of 21.
Years 7 to 9 are timetabled for Music for three lessons over a two week timetable within a spiral Music curriculum, based around the modular activities of composing, performing and listening, and appraising. The course is delivered in a team-teaching situation with maximum flexibility to cater for a wide variety of musical experience and ability.
A GCSE Music course is available following the AQA NEAB syllabus. There are currently thirty- one boys studying this syllabus.
A- and AS-level Music is taught jointly with Wakefield Girls’ High School and currently follows the OCR syllabus. The current Year 12 AS level Music group includes a total of fourteen students from both schools. Year 13 A2 students total nine, many of whom go on to further study of the subject at university. Last year we were delighted that two of our students secured places at The Royal Academy of Music.
Results:
Year (GCSE) A* A B C (AS/A-Level) A B C D
2013 7 4 0 0 2013 3/1 2/1 1/2 0/0
2012 15 5 0 0 2012 3/2 2/2 1/0 0/0
2011 10 2 2 0 2011 3/1 2/1 1/1 1/0
2010 12 6 1 0 2010 3/1 2/1 1/1 0/0
2009 9 3 1 0 2009 3/5 7/2 1/2 1/0
Extra-curricular:
Current joint ensembles include 2 orchestras, 2 swing bands, 2 concert bands, 4 string groups, chamber orchestra, 2 brass groups, sax ensemble, clarinet and flute ensembles as well as choirs and smaller ensembles in each school.
The Foundation enjoys a great reputation in the quality of its joint drama and musical productions which recently include:-
My Fair Lady, The Mikado, Annie, Oh What A Lovely War , Guys and Dolls, Grease, The Pirates of Penzance and most recently Anything Goes.
The schools have enjoyed excellent success in the National Festival of Music for Youth and have reached the final stages of this competition in the Festival Hall with flute ensembles, choirs, swing band, sax ensemble, clarinet ensemble and GCSE composition. In both 2005 and 2006 ensembles from the Foundation were invited to perform at The Schools’ Proms in London. H/Appointment/JDAsstDirectorofMusic 2
Both schools have thriving composers' concerts reflecting the achievements in practical curriculum work at KS3 as well as GCSE and A Level. There is a tradition of chamber concerts giving scope for the performances of full symphonies and instrumental chamber works, together with choral works including Vivaldi Gloria, Cater's Te Deum and Benedicite and Rutter's Magnificant and Requiem.
In 2007 boys and girls of the Foundation together with pupils from other schools in the Wakefield area as part of the Wakefield Music Partnership, premiered a specially commissioned large-scale production of ‘The Sun in Splendour' by Alan Simmons in Huddersfield Town Hall. Extracts of the work are due to be performed by pupils from the Foundation at the Schools’ Prom in November 2009.
There is also a tradition of other large-scale choral ventures involving pupils, parents, staff and friends of the Foundation. These include Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Creation, Faure's Requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Orffs Carmina Burana and most recently Mozart's Requiem. Professional soloists are engaged for these performances.
We are also involved regularly in other partnership arts schemes with local maintained schools. Recent events have included an exciting composer workshop with Barry Russell plus string workshops and jazz days with Scott Stroman, Charlie Beale and Jason Rebello. Renowned Jazz pianist and broadcaster Julian Joseph adjudicated our Joint Music Competition in July 2008.
Members of staff contribute to a host of co-curricular activities, such as clubs and societies, drama, music, sport, pastorally, or in other areas.
The salary is Main Pay Scale and dependant upon the experience of the candidate. In addition, an allowance is paid for the role of Key Stage Co-ordinator, point 15 on the Management and Responsibility Allowance structure for the school, currently this equates to £1,923.20 per annum and a Wakefield Allowance of £1,275.00 per annum payable on satisfactory completion of one year’s service and payable thereafter. Academic staff are also eligible for a 50% allowance (pro-rata for part time) on the tuition fees of their children at both Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and Wakefield Girls' High School (except Nursery) subject to places being available and completion of an entrance exam.
Descriptions of the school and its location are available on our website at www.wgsf.org.uk.
Applications forms and a covering letter should be sent to the Headmaster at the school. Closing date for applications is Monday, 30 September 2013.
H/Appointment/JDAsstDirectorofMusic 3 QEGS MUSIC DEPARTMENT
JOB DESCRIPTION:
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Academic
The preparation and teaching of class lessons for Key Stage 3, GCSE and A level as required by the Director of Music. This will involve the revision of teaching methods and programmes of work. The performing and recording of GCSE and A level compositions (as part of their coursework) out of lesson time (which involve musicians not in the examination groups). To assist with the examining of GCSE and A level practical examinations. To rehearse and accompany pupils for GCSE and A level practical examinations. To provide extra tuition for weaker GCSE and A level candidates. To provide extra tuition if required for Oxbridge candidates. To supervise classes for absent colleagues. The setting and marking of homework as appropriate. The marking and assessment of the progress and attainment of pupils. To keep academic records of pupils’ work. To provide references for pupils. To invigilate for school and public examinations. To attend Parents’ Evenings. To communicate and consult with the parents of pupils. To attend staff, pastoral and departmental meetings.
Professional
To participate in the agreed appraisal and staff development scheme To attend courses and seek opportunities for further training and professional development.
Additional musical and departmental responsibilities:
To run the department in the absence of the Director of Music. To assist the Director of Music in the development of the curriculum. To direct a wide range of extra curricular groups as required by the Director of Music. To play a full role in the provision of music for school concerts. To involve groups in concerts, competitions and musical events out of school. To assist in the organisation of the department, especially for events such as major concerts, the music competition and the Associated Board Examinations. To share the termly rehearsal and accompanying of Associated Board candidates if necessary To share the bi-ennual accompanying for the music competition. To share the provision of assembly music including hymn playing. To support and assist the Director of music in the maintenance of high standards in the every day running of the department. To assist the organisation of open days and to represent the department at such events. Occasionally to take responsibility for and organise events, outings, concerts etc, as agreed with the Director of Music. To co-ordinate IT provision within composition and performance work.
H/Appointment/JDAsstDirectorofMusic 4 To assist in the following:
To assist in the directing and co-ordinating of ensembles. To assist in the organisation of timetables/rotas. Supervision of peripatetic staff. To assist in the monitoring of instrumental pupils and reporting of progress and attendance. Liaison with Junior School. Assistant with recruitment, interviews and appointment of instrumental staff. Professional development of instrumental staff. Co-ordination of aural and theory classes. To assist in maintenance and purchase of relevant equipment. Supervision and administration of VIS parents’ evenings. Arranging lessons for new applicants. Arranging relevant workshops and visits - including partnership projects. Corresponding with parents where necessary. Administration of the Individual Music Competition.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Candidates should have/be:
• Graduate status • Quality instrumentalists with a serious, current interest in performing • The vision and executive ability to develop programmes and activities to meet the widest possible range of student musical needs • Conducting experience at least at major school ensemble level • An ability to teach to GCSE and A level standards • A versatile and wide ranging approach to and experience of music making • Confidence in the use of IT within the music curriculum • A passion about the value of their subject • A lively, enthusiastic and inspiring teaching style • A willingness to make a major personal contribution to extra-curricular work offering lunchtime and after-school rehearsals
H/Appointment/JDAsstDirectorofMusic 5 THE FOUNDATION Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and Wakefield Girls' High School are part of the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation. This is a unique family of schools providing an education appropriate to the needs of boys and girls from 3 to 18.
Boys and girls start in Mulberry House together. The girls then move on to WGHS Junior School and the boys to QEGS Junior School. At 11 they transfer to the senior schools and at 16 enter the joint Sixth Form.
The pupils enjoy the best of all worlds. They benefit educationally from a single sex environment at all the appropriate ages, but the close co-operation of the schools and the many joint activities ensure that their cultural and social needs are also met.
The Foundation has a superb reputation and is held in the highest regard. This prestige is based on an excellent record of academic success, achievements in sport and in the performing and creative arts.
Small classes are taught by dedicated and highly qualified teachers in well-resourced, purpose- built facilities.
The schools are individual in style and occupy an extensive and attractive campus site in a conservation area near the centre of Wakefield, which is easily accessible by road and rail from West Yorkshire and beyond.
The schools co-operate closely especially in joint music, drama and social activities. There is joint teaching at Sixth Form level in some subjects, including music. All pupils are taught in single sex classes up to A Level.
QUEEN ELIZABETH GRAMMAR SCHOOL Although there was a school in Wakefield prior to the official founding of the school, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, received its royal charter on November 19, 1591. For over 400 hundred years therefore it has served not only Wakefield but also areas of West and South Yorkshire. In addition to Leeds and Bradford, pupils now come from as far afield as Sheffield, Doncaster and Holmfirth. The school moved to its present site 150 years ago and is administered by the same Governing Body as its sister school, Wakefield Girls' High School, with which it shares must joint activity and Sixth Form teaching. The school celebrated its Quatercentenary in 1991 and was honoured by a visit from Her Majesty the Queen.
The school is proud of its academic success during recent years. Most importantly, we offer a wide range of options in small classes thereby ensuring that every pupil is given the best opportunity to achieve its potential.
Exciting building programmes are in place and the aim has always been to attract from as wide a social background as possible. Throughout the history, the school has educated numerous distinguished academics and clerics and has always enjoyed a first class reputation for sport, especially in rugby football. The Arts have also been extremely strong. Distinguished alumni include Kenneth Leighton and John Scott, Master of the Choristers at St Paul's Cathedral together with Andy Cato of Dance group Groove Armada.
Art exhibitions and photographic exhibitions form part of the school's repertoire and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is extremely popular with the boys, with large numbers achieving the Award at all levels.
The school is also the choir school for Wakefield Cathedral with which it enjoys very close links.
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