Teacher of Music January 2021 - Candidate Information Pack - St George's Weybridge
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Candidate Information Pack Teacher of Music January 2021 www.stgeorgesweybridge.com
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St George’s Weybridge
Thank you for your interest in joining the staff at St George’s Weybridge. We are delighted
that you are considering our School and we hope that you will wish to apply for this position
once you have found out more about us.
Founded in 1869 by the Catholic order of Josephites, St George’s Weybridge has become
the largest independent Catholic school in the country. Academically autonomous, the
College and Junior School work together to a ‘one-school’ principle, educating in excess of
1,600 students across the two school sites.
At St George’s we seek to inspire a love of learning in our students and to encourage all to
fulfil their aspiration and potential within an atmosphere of mutual respect and compassion.
We acknowledge that each child is an individual with unique talents and abilities. Our role
is to identify and develop these talents by providing them with every opportunity to achieve
in the classroom, on the sports field and on the stage.
It has been an exciting time with Rachel Owens, Headmistress, establishing her vision and
enthusiasm as she leads the College in the next stage of its development. And to mark our
150-year anniversary, the opening of a state of the art Activity Centre at the College that will
transform our facilities. The Junior School, led by Antony Hudson, goes from strength to
strength, looking to enhance facilities following the building of “The Ark”, with its state of the
art classrooms, resource areas, IT suite and outdoor learning areas.
Our Schools are supported by a strong Business Team made up of passionate and
dedicated individuals working across a broad spectrum of departments, all pulling together
to provide professional business services enabling the delivery of an outstanding Georgian
education. The heads of each of the nine business departments form the Business
Management Team which complements the activities of the College and Junior School
Senior Management Teams.
We hope this pack provides you with useful information about both St George’s Weybridge
and this pivotal role. We recognise that a great deal of thought and time goes into preparing
such an application and we assure you that we will, in turn, give your application serious
consideration.
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Our Georgian Family Ethos
The distinctive Josephite traditions upheld by St George’s College and St George’s Junior
School encourage a strong sense of family where all students are valued and encouraged to
fulfil their potential in an atmosphere of mutual respect and compassion.
This atmosphere aims to reach out to all families, our alumni known as 'Old Georgians', the
local community and the wider world.
St George's College and St George’s Junior School are proud to have a reputation for being
friendly schools, where all students are individually known and valued equally whatever their
strengths and weaknesses. Great care is taken by the teaching staff to ensure that all of
those in their care develop into quietly confident, compassionate and perfectly balanced
individuals, which will prepare them to play a responsible role in the shaping of society.
Christian values have always permeated every aspect of School life. St George’s College
and St George’s Junior School are Roman Catholic schools which welcome students from
all Christian denominations. It is our wish that during their time at St George's, our boys and
girls will grow up within a community where Christian beliefs and principles are a guide for
all that we do. This is evident in the liturgical life of our Schools and in the many ways we
have of reaching out beyond our community. St George’s Weybridge has clear policies about
equal opportunities and does not tolerate any form of harassment or bullying.
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Working at St George’s Weybridge
At St George’s Weybridge, we employ a number of full and part time staff in a wide range of
teaching and business posts. Our salaries are competitive and we offer a range of excellent
employee benefits. Staff will undertake a full induction programme on joining St George’s
and continuous professional development is actively encouraged and supported.
Conveniently situated, both schools are supported by great road and public transport links.
The grounds of St George’s Weybridge are stunning with the College sitting in 100 acres of
park land and the Junior School on a 52 acre site. The facilities offered at both schools are
exceptional with many more exciting developments underway.
St George’s prides itself on offering a harmonious and supportive environment for all staff
and the Josephite ethos of “Coming home to school” is experienced not only by our pupils
but extended also to our staff.
What Our Staff Say
“From the moment I drove into St George’s College, I felt a great sense of welcome and
belonging. The recruitment process was effortless and accommodating. The general attitude
and friendliness of staff at St George’s has enabled me to settle in very quickly and
comfortably into the Georgian Family. Students at both the College and Junior School are
really lovely, along with the grounds that are a joy to walk around. I feel very proud working
for such a wonderful place, which clearly values and appreciates its staff.” Oliver
“I can honestly say I love working at St George’s and enjoy coming into work every day. The
people at St George’s make the school what it is today and I feel extremely lucky to be part
of this community.” Laura
“St George’s Weybridge is a fabulous place to work, set in beautiful grounds and with an
ethos where everyone shares and embraces each other’s skills and knowledge. From day
one, I have found everyone to be warm and welcoming and there is culture that evokes
mutual respect amongst staff and students alike. I definitely feel part of the ‘Georgian family’!”
Angela
“Since day one the staff and students have been extremely friendly and helpful to me, there
is a lot of respect between staff and students and this combined creates the perfect learning
environment for everyone at the college, staff included.” Toby
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Music at St George’s
The College enjoys a fine international reputation for the excellence and variety of its music.
The Music Department comprises an Acting Director of Music (Kathryn Wardil), two further
full-time staff, twenty-four visiting teachers and a part-time Music Administrator. The full-time
members of music staff teach throughout the College with a varied timetable that
incorporates all years and the peripatetic staff offer tuition in all disciplines in addition to
singing, organ and harp. Several teach both within the College and the Junior School which
is located about one mile away in Weybridge.
THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Music plays a prominent part in the school’s life and is keenly
supported by pupils, members of staff and parents. The Music
Department houses a Recital Room (seating up to 100) and
a large classroom equipped with 24 PCs running Sibelius,
Cubase and Audacity as well as access to 24 keyboards and
a class-set of iPads. There are several small study/teaching
rooms, several practice rooms (each with a piano/clavinova)
and store rooms with lockers for pupils to store their
instruments. The Department also has its own Gamelan,
Samba Kit, set of African Drums, Roland digital harpsichord,
and staff offices. Large scale choral and orchestral concerts
take place in the College Chapel (seating 800) which houses
a three-manual organ by Hugh Banton (installed in 1999) and
a Yamaha C7 Grand Piano. The Parents’ Society actively
supports the music making and recent funding has covered
projects including the purchase of a set of posture chairs for
the Orchestra and a Recording Room, equipped with iMac
and professional microphones.
CHORAL MUSIC
Choral and liturgical music is a core long-
standing part of the school’s tradition and the
choirs enjoy an outstanding international
reputation in this regard. Performance
opportunities for pupils are varied and
numerous with several choirs catering for
changed and unchanged voices of all ages.
The College Chamber Choir is an auditioned
ensemble; all other choirs are open to
everyone and all sing a wide and varied
repertoire of music. The Chamber Choir has
an active schedule which includes concerts
within school, external engagements,
recordings, broadcasts, and tours. Previous
tour destinations have included America (East and West Coast including performances at
our Josephite sister school in California), Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, and
Spain. The Chamber Choir was the 2012 BBC Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year
and Barnardo’s Senior School Choir of the year.
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The choirs have recorded 4 discs, releasing the most recent one in November 2015, Follow
that Star. In addition to termly concerts there is an annual choral concert combining the
school choirs with the Staff/Parent Choral Society and recent works include Mozart Solemn
Vespers, Michael Haydn Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Mendelssohn’s
Elijah, Poulenc’s Gloria and Monteverdi Vespers (1610), with period ensemble. Recent
choral workshops have included leading international figures including Bob Chilcott, Edward
Higginbottom, and Bronwen Mills.
In November 2018, the Music Department collaborated with Drama to perform a full-staged
production of The Sound of Music with professional band in the Amanda Smith Theatre. The
Music Department contributed to the College’s 150th anniversary celebrations by singing
Vespers at Westminster Cathedral and giving the first performance of a specially
commissioned oratorio in College and at St George’s Hanover Square in January 2020.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Over 250 pupils take individual instrumental/voice lessons each
week and there are numerous ensembles in which
instrumentalists participate including a String Camerata, Wind
Band, Symphony Orchestra and several other chamber groups
some of which are run by peripatetic staff. A number of rock
groups flourish within the department thanks to specialist tuition
offered through our Rockshop programme and the College also
offers Grade 5 theory classes and training for aural examinations.
Pupils are encouraged to participate in an ensemble as soon as they are able to and some
Music Scholars run their own groups and rehearsals. To support this, the College has an
extensive concert schedule over the course of the year, including performances at the end
of term, services of worship, community projects, the Lunchtime Live series, Inter-House
Singing/Carols/Music Competitions, workshops and masterclasses.
MUSIC IN THE CURRICULUM
Music is a core-subject in the first two years (NC years 7 & 8) and optional from the Third
Year (NC9); from September 2020, the College will be operating a two-week timetable with
three classroom music lessons per fortnight. Beginner instrumental schemes may operate in
the First Year along with an annual semi-staged musical. The Lower School music course
caters for musicians of all types. Topics include Musicals, World Music, Minimalism & studies
in Baroque, Classical, Romantic programme music, Pop and Film music. The course
incorporates opportunities for performance, composing, music technology and developing
listening skills. Pupils may opt to take Music for GCSE (Edexcel) and A2 Level (AQA) and
there is currently one set in each of the Fourth-Upper Sixth Years. Academic standards in
music are good with 50% of pupils attaining Grade 9 at GCSE (100% 9-7) and 100% A-B at
A-level.
GEORGIAN MUSICIANS
Georgian pupils have successfully gained places in the national
Duet Philharmonic Orchestra, London Schools’ Symphony
Orchestra, National Children’s Orchestra, National Youth Choir,
National Youth Jazz Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra and
regional youth orchestras and choirs. In recent years pupils have
won instrumental scholarships to the major conservatoires and
universities both here and abroad, and Oxbridge Choral and Organ
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Scholarships. Many are now working to the highest level within the music business
themselves, as composers, conductors, singers, instrumentalists and song writers.
In May 2014, the College hosted the MMA music conference for teachers, during which a
number of distinguished artists within the music profession worked with the children and
music teachers from all around the UK.
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
The College offers music scholarships and exhibitions to pupils at 11+, 13+ and 16+ who
show promise and ability at interview through a practical audition and interview. All music
scholars follow a personal learning and monitoring programme which is designed and revised
for them each academic year. They are expected to compile a personal portfolio and to
perform in public at least once every term. There are currently 29 music scholars at St
George’s.
APPOINTMENT OF TEACHER OF MUSIC (JANUARY 2021)
As part of its process of consolidating and strengthening the academic life of the
school, we are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and well-qualified Music graduate
to the position of Teacher of Music from January 2021.
The College is seeking a well-qualified and experienced musician and teacher to work within
the department and contribute to the musical life of the School. The extent and scope of this
position will depend on the individual strengths of the successful candidate, but particular
emphasis will be placed on:
the level of experience in delivering to GCSE and A Level
an outstanding level of musicianship and ensemble leadership
high personal and professional standards & well-developed pastoral skills
experience of successful, enthusiastic collaboration within a departmental team
Specific requirements will include:
Teaching a timetable of class music throughout the College and at all key stages.
Working in collaboration with the Acting Director of Music and department to assess and
review academic resources with a view to developing and renewing schemes of work.
Assisting the Acting Director of Music with the administration of public examination
submission and the coordination of internal music examinations.
Coaching and directing ensembles as agreed according to candidate strengths –
experience as a string specialist is desirable
Skills, sight-reading, score-reading and performance experience to accompany pupils
up to diploma level and to accompany/conduct both student and professional ensembles
Teaching of aural and theory lessons up to Grade 8
Maintaining good links and supporting projects with St George’s Junior School Music
Department
Helping to manage the department’s technical and library resources
Proposing, organizing and assisting with trips and tours
Accompanying pupils in concert performances and exam recitals
Working within a team and sharing fully in the department’s aims, academic work and
public performances
Candidates must have an excellent honours degree in Music and have practical skills in
Music equivalent to a Diploma level in their given instrument. Particular attention will be paid
to the candidates’ experience of practical musicianship and their ability to develop coherent
projects where performance and academic endeavour are combined.
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Candidates must also have keyboard facility to support their instrumental and academic
teaching in the classroom. Candidates must also be familiar with general ICT and subject-
specific software (Sibelius etc.).
The successful candidate will be fully involved in the life of the Music Department and its
busy termly programme of events, concerts and trips/tours and will be warmly encouraged in
new initiatives they might like to bring to the post. Music is a central part of College life and
the successful candidate will be able to encourage and confidently support pupils at all levels
of ability, and to inspire pupils to excel in all aspects of their music making. The successful
candidate must feel comfortable with the spiritual ethos of the College and understand the
importance of the role of music in Chapel services.
ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
a) Likely to be a Tutor to an assigned Tutor Group and to carry out related duties in
accordance with the general job description of Group Tutor including implementing the
PSHE programme
b) To carry out supervisory duties in accordance with the DH Staff’s Supervision Rota.
This amounts to the equivalent of 1.5 Term’s worth of duties, spread throughout the 3
x Terms. Duties are scheduled to avoid clashes with other areas of responsibility.
c) To make a significant contribution to non-departmental extra-curricular activities, in
addition to the above. Core contribution is defined as the equivalent of 1 x Term’s
Saturday Sport; this can be met in a variety of ways, including 1 x evening of
contribution across 3 Terms, depending on the nature of the activity. Co-curricular
contributions which exceed this can be eligible for additional remuneration, but this will
need to be negotiated with the Head of Co-Curricular and DH Staff, once in post.
d) The school has a House system and all staff are members of a House and expected to
support its activities.
e) All staff are expected to supervise EPQ students if required, as most students in the
Sixth Form undertake this qualification.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The salary will be dependent upon experience and qualifications. The College participates
in the Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme. The College adheres to the current statutory
requirements for retirement procedures.
APPOINTMENT PROCEDURE
A completed Application Form, CV and a brief covering letter, together with the details of two
referees should be forwarded to:
The Headmistress; St George’s College Weybridge, Weybridge Road, Addlestone, Surrey
KT15 2QS or by email to: headmistress@stgeorgesweybridge.com.
The closing date for application is by 4pm on Friday 3 July 2020. However, please
note that applications will be reviewed upon receipt and candidates may be invited for
interview via skype or in person, at short notice.
St George’s employs personnel who are best qualified for the post without any discrimination
in favour or race, colour, gender or national origin. All staff must be able to support the
Mission Statement of the school.
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Benefits
Pension:
Subject to meeting the qualifying conditions all Business Staff are automatically enrolled in
our work place pension scheme, currently provided by Aegon. St George’s Weybridge
currently doubles the employee contribution up to a maximum of 10% of your salary or
trebling to 15% for long-serving employees. Teaching staff have access to the Teachers’
Pension Scheme.
Fee Remission Scheme:
Business staff are eligible for School Fee Remission in respect of their child(ren) attending
either St George’s College or St George’s Junior School.The children of employees are
subject to the same admissions assessments as other children and employment in no way
guarantees that an offer of a place for your child will be made. The entitlement commences
from the beginning of the first full term following commencement of employment and is not
contractual. Full details of the scheme are available from the HR Department.
Meals:
Staff are provided with lunch in the dining room, as part of the Student Supervisory Policy.
Life & Personal Accident Insurance:
Life insurance is provided through MetLife or Teachers Pensions, whereby a named
beneficiary would be eligible to four times annual salary. In addition insurance is in place in
the event of an accident leading to permanent disability or injury.
Employee Assistance Programme:
Benenden is a free confidential counselling and medical advice helpline available 24 hours
per day, seven days a week.
Employee Loans:
Staff can apply for interest free loans in the case of hardship or for training, travel costs or
purchase of a bicycle.
Holiday Camps & Local Retailer Discounts:
Discounts are available to all permanent staff on holiday camps and activities hosted at St
George’s Weybridge. In addition a number of local shops and retailers offer discounts to staff
at St George’s.
Page | 10Conditions of Employment
Initial Period of Employment:
Teaching Staff: Two Terms
During the Initial Period of Employment, sick pay will be paid in accordance with current
legislation.
Notice Period:
One week on either side during the Intitial Period of Employment, thereafter:
One Term
Pre-Employment Vetting Checks:
It is a condition of employment at St George’s Weybridge that every applicant who accepts
the offer of a job will be subject to criminal background checks through the DBS and will be
required to provide documentary evidence to confirm their identity and right to work in the
UK. The checks will be carried out at the School’s expense. References will be taken up,
including those from previous employers.
Safeguarding Children:
The post-holders responsibility for promoting and safe-guarding the welfare of children and
young persons for whom he/she is responsible or with whom he/she comes into contact will
be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the Safeguarding Policy Statement at all times.
If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any
actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school he/she must report
any concerns to the Head and/or Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Dress Code:
Staff are expected to wear smart business dress and conform to the St George’s Dress Code
as set out in the Staff Procedures Book. These norms are relaxed during school holiday time.
Additional Working:
There is a requirement for attending at Open Days, Carol Services, Prize Giving and
occasional requirement for attending at evening events as may arise from time to time.
Place of Work:
The Teacher of Music will be based at the College with an expectation of flexibility, when
required, to work at the Junior School.
Data Protection and Confidentiality:
The post-holder will ensure Data Compliance regulations are upheld, including being familiar
with current data protection legislation and associated School Privacy Notices and
undertaking relevant training in data protection.
No Smoking Policy:
St George’s College and St George’s Junior School operate a no smoking policy.
Page | 11Your Application
To find out more about the post or the school, in the first instance please contact Phyllida
Bell, PA to Headmistress, for a confidential discussion:
Email: pbell@stgeorgesweybridge.com
Applications are encouraged as early as possible on the enclosed form and emailed together
with a covering letter to headmistress@stgeorgesweybridge.com.
Closing date for applications: by 4pm on Friday 3 July 2020
Please note that applications will be reviewed upon receipt and candidates may be
invited for interview via skype or in person, at short notice.
Before making an application for any vacancy at St George’s you should familiarise yourself
with our Privacy Notice, Safeguarding Policies, Recruitment Policy, DBS Code of
Practice and Associated Policies which are available at:
http://www.stgeorgesweybridge.com/further-information/employment-opportunities
St George’s Weybridge is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
and applicants must be willing to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks
with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
St George’s Weybridge is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a registered Educational
Charity. We look forward to receiving your application.
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