Head of Academic Music

TES FE News; Brighton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Brighton is seeking to appoint a Head of Academic Music to start in January or April 2026. You will inspire leadership, oversee curriculum delivery, and promote music education across all year groups. This role requires a relevant degree in music or education, with a strong understanding of the A-level and GCSE music curricula. Join a vibrant department dedicated to fostering excellence in music.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading an academic music department.
• Strong understanding of A-level and GCSE music curricula.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational teaching and leadership within the academic music department.
• Oversee the delivery of curriculum music lessons for all year groups.
• Promote the study of music and be a role model for pupils and colleagues.
• Oversee public examination entries for music at GCSE and A-level.

Skills

Inspirational teaching

Leadership

Curriculum development

Music pedagogy

Education

Relevant degree in music or education

Job description

Overview

Brighton College is seeking to appoint a Head of Academic Music to start in January or April 2026.

The Department

The Music Department at Brighton College is a vibrant and dynamic part of school life, staffed by four academic teachers and four Heads of Instrumental Sections. We foster a joyful and inclusive approach to music, where academic and co-curricular strands are closely integrated.

Music is a popular choice at both GCSE and A-level, and in recent years has been one of our fastest growing departments at GCSE. Results are outstanding: 100% of pupils achieved A*-A at A-level in 2025, and we regularly achieve over 95% 9-7 at GCSE. The department follows the Edexcel specification for GCSE and Eduqas for A-level.

Brighton College has a proud musical tradition and exceptional facilities. In 2015, the school opened a purpose-built Music School at the heart of the campus. This includes a Recital and Rehearsal Hall, percussion/rock room, individual practice and teaching rooms, and a professional grade recording suite. The opening of the 400-seat Cairns Theatre in 2024 has provided a world class space for performance and rehearsal space for ensembles, alongside additional state of the art suites dedicated to music technology.

Our extensive co-curricular programme includes a Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Chapel Choir, Concert Band, Swing Band, and a variety of instrumental ensembles such as Flute, Brass, and Saxophone groups. We also run a growing Music Production Club using our dedicated Mac suite.

The Chamber Choir sings at weekly Chapel services and major events such as Remembrance and Carol Services. They have performed as visiting choirs at prestigious venues including St Paul’s Cathedral, St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and Westminster Abbey. Chamber music is a particular strength, with ensembles regularly competing in the National Pro Corda Festival.

The department organises regular music tours abroad. Recent trips include performances at the Palco Venier Jazz Festival in Lake Garda and the Vienne Jazz Festival in France. Our Choral Society stages two major concerts annually, with recent repertoire including Mozart’s Requiem and Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Musical theatre is another highlight of the College’s cultural calendar, with past productions including Into the Woods, Les Misérables, and Hadestown.

Academic results continue to be exceptional. Many Old Brightonians pursue music at leading institutions, including Oxford and Cambridge, Leeds Conservatoire, NYU, King’s College London, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

General Duties And Responsibilities

The post holder will:

• Provide inspirational teaching and leadership within the academic music department, not only to consolidate the important place of music within the school, but also to foster excellence in all that the department does.
• Promote the study of music and be a role model for both pupils and colleagues as an outstanding classroom practitioner.
• Oversee and manage the delivery of curriculum music lessons for all year groups.
• Liaise with the Director of Music and Deputy Head (Academic) in matters of setting and monitoring of pupils’ progress in Music.
• Develop and update schemes of work to ensure that a varied and inspiring curriculum is always maintained.
• Observe and support graduate and ECTs to promote outstanding and inspiring pedagogy in the music classroom.
• Oversee public examination entries for music at GCSE and A-level and oversee all matters relating to the preparation and submission of coursework.
• Attend regular music departmental meetings and take a lead on matters relating to academic music.
• Attend regular head of department meetings.
• Oversee the provision of extra-curricular music theory lessons, particularly for lower ability musicians in the fifth and sixth forms.
• Lead on the department’s Oxbridge preparation programme and support all music pupils in university and conservatoire applications.
• Contribute to the pastoral life of the school as a tutor.

For full details of the role please see the Job Profile Document attached.