UPPINGHAM SCHOOL JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title Head of Strings Reports to Director of Music Job context Uppingham School is a co-educational, full boarding school serving 800 pupils aged 13-18. The teaching staff numbers 110. All Uppinghamians sing loudly and proudly in Chapel. The Music Department has a reputation for excellence and the school makes a significant investment in Music Scholarships. Many pupils go on to study music at leading Universities or Conservatoires. The vision for music includes the provision of a specialist course for Sixth Form musicians, strengthening links with Conservatoires in South East Asia and Europe and commissioning a biennial opera. The facilities are first-class, three Music Department buildings include a radio station, 65 practice rooms, 3 organs, recording studios and state-of-the-art percussion rooms. Concerts take place in a variety of School performing spaces and further afield in venues such as Saffron Hall, King s Place, Ely Cathedral and King s College, Cambridge. The Lunchtime Concerts Series regularly attracts 100+ members of the school and local community. Masterclasses have been led recently by Jack Liebeck, Hannah Roberts, Stephen Hough and Angela Hewitt. String playing is impressive. Chamber Music groups have traditionally been placed first in the annual Pro Corda Chamber Music Competition. A biennial Chamber Music Festival has involved the Sacconi Quartet, and Schubert Ensemble. The (pupil-only) Symphony Orchestra is currently rehearsing Strauss - Horn Concerto, Beethoven - Symphony 5 and Sibelius - Finlandia. The orchestra is run jointly with Andrew Webster, Head of Wind Brass and Percussion. Job purpose The Head of Strings (HoS) is principally responsible for inspiring string players and developing, with sure-footed determination, the quality of the school s string programme. We are looking for a musician who will be fully engaged in their own professional development so that they can offer consistently excellent teaching. The String Faculty is made up of nine string teachers and two Alexander teachers. The post-holder will encourage, lead and evaluate both pupils and staff in order that they develop to their full potential. Your accountabilities 1. To lead a culture of learning, cultivating a programme of excellence, thoughtful practice, ambition and inquisitiveness; creating an attractive learning environment for all pupils from beginners to post-diploma; monitoring and assessing the development of pupils; initiating creative and innovative ideas that enable effective and efficient learning.
2. Teaching individual instrumental lessons as directed by the Director of Music (DofM) setting pedagogical standards for the whole String Faculty; facilitating the dissemination of best practice. Preparing pupils for Scholarship, Conservatoire, University and national organisation auditions; advising on study programmes in the UK and abroad. 3. To develop a performance vision for the String Faculty, ensuring that the quality of solo and ensemble performances and masterclass opportunities is second-to-none; developing a strategic range of activities that offer pupils cultural, aesthetic and intellectual challenges; analysing that provision so that the programme serves the interests of all pupils; managing VMTS to provide a co-ordinated, structured and sustainable performance programme; supporting pupils performances and building a culture of concert attendance. 4. To develop a team of excellent string teachers setting and communicating expectations to ensure buy-in and commitment to the vision and values of the Music Department and String Faculty; monitoring teaching, regularly appraising lessons and providing feedback; analysing teaching and enabling CPD where necessary; creating a collaborative culture and managing Faculty administration. 5. To direct and develop Ensemble work including Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Sinfonia (Junior Strings); inspiring, conducting and administering ensembles; collaborating with the Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion where necessary; keeping and maintaining lists of participants and advising the DoM on the successful running of the ensembles programme. 6. To lead the further development and expansion of Chamber Music, maintaining the long-standing tradition of success in national competitions. 7. To identify, recruit and retain string players through the Music Scholarship programme: developing long-lasting relationships with Prep Schools through a variety of initiatives including regular visits, ensemble coaching and delivering masterclasses; identifying potential candidates for 13+ and 16+ Scholarships; ensuring the continued development of Scholars through participation in our Scholarship or Specialist programme. Running String courses as part of the Uppingham Summer School. 8. To lead the development the Music Department s Community Service programme, developing links with local community groups and charities. 9. Departmental: Departmental duties as agreed with the DoM. e.g. Sight-singing/Aural/ Theory classes; contributing to weekly Departmental meetings. Outcomes: 1. Learning programme: retention of pupils; high attendance at lessons; examples of independent learning and practise; data suggests that pupils enjoy string ensembles; increase in opportunities for pupil development and leadership; external agencies judge the String Faculty to be outstanding in inspections; Uppingham gains recognition as the centre of excellence for string teaching. 2. Own Teaching: excellence in pupil engagement, motivation and performance. 3. Performance vision: clear goals are understood by all string staff; accessibility of information; staff readily suggest pupils for concerts; reasons for non-performing pupils are analysed; data
indicates that a wide range of pupils perform; masterclasses are well-attended and followed by reflection on what has been learned; VMTs have a voice in determining performance opportunities; 4. Team and staff development: feedback at DoM appraisals indicate that staff feel their contributions are valued, the development of their teaching is ongoing and best practice is shared; parental and pupil feedback suggests that lessons are enjoyable and purposeful; intervention has taken place when lessons or relationships are unsuccessful. 5. Ensemble work: willing participation and high levels of engagement; calm and purposeful pupil behaviour; willing and effective contributions by staff; up-to-date information is clearly available. 6. Chamber Music: provision is made for all pupils who wish to take part. Pupils are wellprepared. Success at National competitions is maintained. 7. Scholarships; Positive feedback from prep schools and parents; applications from excellent candidates; summer school course initiatives; strong relationships with leaders of national orchestras and string teaching organisations. Pupils who progressively develop as excellent string players over five years. 8. Departmental; contribute to Dept. meetings, lead discussions, show a willingness to learn new skills and contribute to the greater good of the team. Qualifications, skills and experience, personal qualities required: Qualifications Good honours degree [necessary] Significant teaching experience [necessary] Post-graduate Conservatoire training [desirable] Skills and experience Experience as a professional performer at a high-level Outstanding track record as teacher Experience of leading a String Faculty Outstanding track record in pupils entry to Conservatoire Evidence of influencing outstanding outcomes in other teachers Have an active involvement in national organisations Personal qualities Personable, supportive and able to motivate, and work within, a team Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and in public Decisive and confident in organisational management Possessing the capacity to develop people, and analyse and improve systems Key relationships The HoS is responsible for the line management of the following. Direct Reports
Visiting Music Teachers (Strings and Alexander) Key Relationships Director of Music Assistant Head: co-curricular Assistant Director of Music The Heads of Music Faculties Music Events and Publicity Manager Music Lessons Co-Ordinator Accompanist-in- Residence Head of Academic Music Benefits Holidays The annual holiday entitlement is all Uppingham School holidays, although you will be required to work limited reasonable time during the holidays at key periods, as designated by the Headmaster. No holiday may be taken during term time. Public holidays that fall within term time are normal working days. Other Benefits Private Health care: the School pays 50% of the premium (pro-rata for part-time staff). Full membership of Uppingham School Sports Centre for an annual fee only of 15 for fulltime employees, pro-rated monthly membership for part-time employees. Uppingham School fees salary sacrifice scheme if your children attend the School. Safeguarding The post-holder s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School s Safeguarding (Child Protection) Policy 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 they must report any concerns to the School s Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Headmaster. Note This job description is not an exhaustive list of what may be expected of the HoS in the role. It is non-contractual and may be amended by the School from time to time. Organisation chart