We are looking for an imaginative and skilled teacher with aspiration to leadership or who already has experience of leading a department, who is committed to our vision and values and driven by the desire to improve the life chances of young people. For such a key post there is a recruitment and performance bonus available for the right candidate.

This is a great opportunity to lead an innovative and successful Music department. Last year 100% of students taking GCSE Music achieved a C grade or better with 29% achieving an A or A*. All students at Ratton have Music lessons as a regular part of their curriculum at Key Stage 3, during which time a variety of projects are studied, from Classical Music, Blues and Jazz through to Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop and Dance music. There are many opportunities for practical music-making during lesson time, using percussion instruments, keyboards, ukuleles and our newly-acquired class set of iPads.

Music is available as an option subject at Key Stage 4, both as a BTEC and GCSE qualification. The BTEC gives students the opportunity to develop vocational skills ready for the world of work alongside studying units such as DJing, Performing and Music Sequencing. The Music GCSE focuses on performing, composing and listening preparing students for the study of Music at A-level.

In the Music department there are two fully-equipped classrooms with keyboards, glockenspiels, xylophones and ukuleles. One of the classrooms also has computers with music software, such as Cubase and Virtual DJ and the other classroom has a class set of iPads with programmes such as Garageband. Within the department we also have three practice rooms, guitars, drum kits, an electric drum kit, recording facilities and two sets of DJ decks. Practice rooms can be booked out at lunch for students to rehearse.

Extra-curricular music activities form a key part of life at Ratton. There are a variety of activities available throughout the year, such as Chamber Choir, Combined Choir, The Mini Minors (junior choir), Ratton Players (orchestra), Jazz Club, Boys’ Harmony group and The Minor Details (auditioned choir).

There are several concerts each year involving a large number of students. The Gala Concert is the main event of the musical year at Ratton, held at the Congress Theatre and last year involving over 180 students. Other concerts include the annual Christmas Concert as well as smaller, more informal concerts such as themed shows and the Ratton Live Lounge series.

Each year there is also a Performing Arts production combining music, drama and dance. In recent years, there have been productions of classical repertoire, such as Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols. There is also a bi-annual musical production, with Disney’s popular High School Musical in 2012 and High School Musical in 2014. This year has also seen a successful performance of Guys and Dolls.

You will be joining an ambitious and highly supportive organisation which offers: •           An excellent induction programme for teachers joining the school; •           A strong commitment to professional development which will improve your leadership skills, develop your understanding of whole school issues and prepare you for the next stage in your career; •           Motivated and enthusiastic learners who respond very well to active and engaging teaching and work well independently; •           A strong team ethos across the department and whole school.

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This is an exciting post with the potential for career development as part of an ambitious and innovative school. You will: •           be able to demonstrate/incorporate the school values in all aspects of your work; •           be part of the leadership of a very important area of the school and be able to influence whole school developments;  •           be able to lead a team that has brought about considerable improvements in student outcomes; •           need to be an innovative teacher who is able to teach across KS3 and KS4; •           be supported by the Learning Director and Lead Teacher.