Teacher of Music

Type Full Time

University College School was founded in 1830 to promote principles of liberal scholarship. That remains our first and overriding aim. Intellectual curiosity, breadth of study and independence of mind combine to achieve academic excellence; they are not subordinate to it. UCS remains true to the liberal traditions of its founders and continues to work hard to foster independence of mind among its pupils, to value their individuality and to create a diverse and inclusive community.

Academic results are excellent. Music and drama are very strong at UCS and the school offers an outstanding range of co-curricular activities and enrichment opportunities.

The current vacancy is a permanent Full time-time post. It offers an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic teacher to develop, or start, their career in a lively and innovative setting as part of a dynamic, supportive and collaborative department. The successful applicant will be a strong graduate of a relevant degree course, with a deep passion for Music and the ability to convey this effectively to pupils across all age groups.

This is an outstanding opportunity to teach Music at a high level in a congenial and stimulating setting. It should, therefore, be attractive to an ECT (UCS offers full statutory induction), or to a serving teacher seeking wider experience. We welcome equally applications from teachers in the maintained sector and the independent sector.

A willingness to contribute to the co-curricular life of the school will be an additional and important recommendation. We expect all of our teachers to be Form Tutors.

NB this role should require a woodwind/brass specialism

Music at UCS is highly regarded nationally, with the school was shortlisted in the Performing Arts category for the Independent School of the School Year Award in both 2018 and 2019, and is strongly supported by the Senior Leadership Team. The Music Department runs a packed schedule of over 30 ensembles including Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band, separate ensembles for string, woodwind and brass players, an extensive chamber music programme as well as Jazz and Pop groups.

A high proportion of pupils play musical instruments and over 150 pupils are involved in ensemble music making. The school offers Music Scholarships at 11 and 16+, attracting a number of very gifted musicians who regularly go on to study at conservatoires or read Music at leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

Choral provision consists of Schola Cantorum, a 40 strong mixed choir from which separate ensembles can be drawn. There is an annual Carol Service, a Vocal and Choral Concert, an Opera Gala, and more senior singing students regularly take part in ‘A Big Band Christmas’. The School puts on a Musical every other year (recent productions have included Guys and Dolls, West Side Story and Sweeney Todd) and on occasions the Music Department has put on a semi-staged opera, including The Marriage of Figaro and Dido and Aeneas,.

There are over 30 singing pupils who are shared between the Head of Singing and another singing teacher.

There are five permanent members of teaching in the Music Department, including the Director of Music and the Head of Academic Music. There are also twenty five Visiting Music Teachers who tutor across the full range of classical and popular instruments, and a full time Music Administrator. The Department is housed in a purpose built Music School and benefits from outstanding facilities and resources including 4 classrooms and 2 ICT suites housing 29 MACs , 11 practice rooms and a 200 seater Recital room.

Major concerts take place in the magnificent Great Hall which houses a new Steinway Model D grand piano.

In Year 7-8 Music is a compulsory subject taught in their form groups for two 35 minute periods a week in half sets of 10. In Year 9 Music is an optional subject. Uptake for GCSE is healthy, ranging from 20-30 pupils and results are exceptional with pupils receiving the equivalent of A*-A grades for the past eight years. Uptake at A level is also strong for a school of our type, with…