Graduate Music Administrator
- Job title: Graduate Music Administrator
- Job Type: Permanent, Part-Time (30 hours per week), Term-Time Only
- Salary: £16,853 (£28,500 FTE)
- Department: Music
- Reporting to: Head of Junior Music
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: 27th August 2024
- Closing Date: 15 April 2024 at 4:00 pm
Have you recently graduated and are looking to use your musical and administrative skills in an award-winning school?
We are excited to appoint a Graduate Music Administrator who will be key to the smooth-running of an established and thriving department. The role offers the chance to work within a dedicated team towards the administration of one-to-one lessons, our impressive concert series, trips and examination sessions. We are looking for someone with strong communication and organisational skills, who is passionate about music and its place in education.
The Department
‘From the moment you step foot inside our bright and well-resourced building, you will feel the buzz of excitement from our pupils ringing through the corridors. At the heart of our school is a nurturing environment where pupils feel happy, safe and secure so that they can fulfil their potential academically, socially and emotionally and be their very best selves.’ – Philippa Studd, Principal
Highgate Junior School is one of the largest Key Stage 2 Independent Junior Schools in the country with 445 pupils from Years 3 to 6 in five classes per year group.
We pride ourselves on providing an innovative curriculum which challenges our pupils to be curious, creative and brave in their learning. Our timetable is designed to incorporate both an intellectually rigorous approach to studies alongside skills-based learning. We aim for our pupils to develop a genuine love of learning whilst acquiring a knowledge of how they learn, how to take responsibility for their learning and how to apply their skills and knowledge in a variety of different contexts.
We have a team of staff dedicated to nurturing our pupils’ wellbeing. To develop a sense of community and belonging from day one at Highgate, our pupils all belong to a form group and one of our four houses. There are over 60 clubs for pupils to choose from in the Junior School, and time is set aside for each pupil to take part in a co-curricular activity of their choice.
We want to nurture in our pupils how to be a reflective and proactive member of the community with a sense of social responsibility and a deep understanding and appreciation of the wide range of heritages, cultures and backgrounds in our diverse society.
The Junior School is located on Bishopswood Road, Highgate, in an outstanding purpose-built teaching environment. The deliberate playfulness of the architecture and the openness to our sports fields is the physical expression of our belief in nurturing childhood playfulness and curiosity.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
General Administration Tasks
- Being a first point of call for internal enquiries, liaising with pupils, VMTs, parents and colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the department and continued good relations with all parties.
- Maintaining and updating Music Department on and offline filing systems, e.g. academic results, ABRSM exam results
- Assist the Head of Junior Music in the maintenance and general upkeep of the department and resources.
- Day-to-day management and parental contact regarding the Instrumental Scheme
- Provide support to the Head of Junior Music in completing routine administrative tasks.
- To complete purchase orders as per the department’s needs, as decided by the Music Department Manager and Director of Music
Visiting Music Teachers
- Assisting with VMT staff queries and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
- Being proactive in requiring VMTs adhere to departmental policies and systems.
- Administrating applications for individual lessons
- Keeping the instrumental lessons waiting list up to date
- Communicating regularly with VMTs and assisting with room bookings where needed.
Concerts/Events
- Being present at evening (and occasional weekend) concerts and other events both on and off school property as requested by the Head of Junior Music to assist with administration, ticketing, catering, distribution of programmes, ushering the audience and similar duties. Where the post holder is required to attend concerts, hours will become flexible to allow for this
- Assisting with rehearsal schedules for major events
- Where needed, helping prepare concert equipment or set up for performances and events.
- Proofreading any programmes or materials for music events and information
ABRSM & Trinity Examination Board visits
- Provide stewarding
- Collect, collate, and distribute results
- Prepare entry information, paperwork and signage as required in support of exam visits.
- Assisting the examiner and accompanist with any requests on the day
These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide; they are not exhaustive.
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- Educated to A level or equivalent.
- A good honours degree.
Desirable:
- Passionate about working in the education sector.
- Administration experience.
- Music qualifications or prior experience.
- Knowledge and Skills
Essential:
- An excellent standard of written and spoken English and attentive to detail.
- A high level of computer literacy, working with Microsoft Office. Proficient and accurate in word processing, spreadsheet programs, and Publisher.
- The ability to learn new systems (SIMS).
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding policies.
- Understanding/knowledge of basic AV equipment set up for amplified performances.
- Personal Attributes
Essential:
- Patience, flexibility and a sense of humour.
- Well-organised with the ability to work effectively and flexibly in a team environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills – cheerful and able to communicate with pupils, parents, staff and members of the public in a friendly but professional manner.
Benefits
Location | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Pension | AVIVA workplace pension scheme offered – 21% employer contribution, with the ability to flex up to 11% of this as additional non-pensionable salary, employees contribute a minimum of 5%.
Personal development | Comprehensive induction support for new staff. Focus on continued professional development for all employees.
Leisure facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and swimming pool (recently refurbished).
Lunch | A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
Help with sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
Family-friendly policies | Highgate appreciates that employees sometimes have family commitments so we try to be as supportive as possible, for example with enhanced maternity pay (8 weeks’ full pay, then 10 weeks’ half pay) and paid dependant leave.
Working at Highgate
A culture of community, kindness and belonging
Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
In a recent ISI inspection (Dec 2021), it was noted that “Pupils show exceptional respect for, and appreciate diversity within the school and wider community, and their own and other cultures, demonstrating sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions.”
Staff wellbeing
Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Charitable work and sustainability
As an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible – through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham – an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.
Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.
As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.
Application procedure
- Closing Date: 15th April 2024
- In Person Interviews: w/c 22nd April 2024
Contact: The Recruitment Team are happy to answer any questions about this post.
Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
Inclusion
We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive.
We are aware that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in independent education institutions and we’re working to doing what we can to redress this. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people from minoritised ethnic and racial backgrounds, people with a disability and/or neurodiverse applicants (including those with a ‘hidden’ disability, LGBTQ+ people, as we are working to make our staff body more representative of the UK and London population.
We are also aware that many highly capable prospective candidates nonetheless rule themselves out of applying for positions because they may underestimate their own ability to do the role. With this in mind, we strongly encourage applications from anyone who is prepared to learn and develop professionally on the job and would like to stress that past experience of working in education, or admissions is not required.
If this application process doesn’t support your needs and you would like to discuss additional support to apply, please contact Recruitment@highgateschool.org.uk
Safeguarding
As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. 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 and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If whilst in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community; these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSIE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.
Please read before you apply
Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities. DBS Privacy Policy
Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. DBS Code of Practice
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.