“A very caring and supportive community where pupils flourish”

“Passionate about wanting the very best outcomes for all.” Ofsted

Northcourt Road

Abingdon

OxonOX14 INP

Headteacher: Jonathan Dennett

Second in Arts, Performance and Technology Faculty –Music specialist

Main Scale or Upper Pay Scale, full time.TLR 2b (£4441)

Required forSeptember 2018

We are looking for a passionate and motivated Music teacherto join our vibrant Arts, Performance and Technology Faculty, inspiring our great students and nurturing their creativity and confidence.

The music department consists of large, well-resourced teaching spaces, practice rooms and a suite of 14 computers hosting Cubase 7. Music Technology has been developed considerably over the past few years and expertise in this area would be highly desirable. Students in GCSE music do take the sequencing coursework option over performance, ensuring that the course is widely accessible and inclusive.

Music has a secure place within our curriculum and the ethos of our school. Students enjoy 2 hours of music a fortnight in Years 7 and 8, rising to 3 in Year 9. Music is a popular GCSE option (OCR Specification), and we are seeking to establish a more vocational course as we strive to more closely meet the needs of our students. A peripatetic tuition program exists and student participation increases every year. Several showcase events are planned annually including our Arts & Culture Evening, Christmas concert and our annual talent show ‘Stars’.

Our students perform around Abingdon and beyond, including a recent concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall and presentations of electronic music as part of our STEM to STEAM collaboration with Oxford Brookes University at the Cornerstone Theatre in Didcot.The Fitzharrys Soul Band is well established, and with choirs and other events there are plenty of chances for students to develop their love of performance and participation.

A flourishing faculty - a springboard to further leadership development

You will be joining a vibrant, creative and experienced team as part of the leadership of a key faculty. This important role will involve the line management of another department alongside other key strands of Faculty development. The Arts, Performance and Technology subjects are popular and successful, and we look forward to the next stage of collaboration and creativity within the team and the wider community.

Our dedicated Arts at Fitzharrys Facebook page you an insight into some of the many opportunities our students enjoy as well as the quality of their work and the ethos of the Arts, Performance & Technology faculty. The number of students earning the recently introduced Cultural Award shows the level of participation and enthusiasm for Arts and Performance throughout Fitzharrys. We expect to achieve Arts Mark Gold this academic year, a great recognition of the diversity, creativity and exuberance that drives Arts and Performance at Fitzharrys. Our recent production of Aladdin featured the support of half the staff in one capacity of other, showing the value that we place on Arts and Performance as the beating heart of our school.

Unique opportunity to be part of something special and make a difference

If you are excited about the prospect of joining a successful team in a school with great professional development and a positve ethos where you can continue to grow as a teacher and a leader then we look forward to meeting you.

Jonathan Dennett, Headteacher

Closing date: 9am Wednesday 16 May 2018

“A very caring and supportive community where pupils flourish”

“Passionate about wanting the very best outcomes for all.” Ofsted

“A warm and welcoming culture with a shared drive for continual improvement. Leaders, teachers and pupils are proud to be a part of Fitzharrys’ success.”

Fitzharrys is a great school that continues to move forward because of everyone’s creativity, consistency, care and commitment. Our positive Ofsted report confirmed that “Fitzharrys’ ethos of ‘Together Everyone Achieves More’ is at the heart of school life.”We are proud of our students and staff and our shared determination to keep on developing and growing together. We are looking for colleagues who share our passion for all that education can achieve and want to be part of a vibrant and special school community.

“Teachers are an enthusiastic and committed team and they are driven to continually improve standards in their subject areas. The effect of this high-quality teamwork is to generate high levels of staff morale and satisfaction.”

As a new colleague, you will benefit from ourwell-developed induction programme and from sensitive early support from middle and senior leaders to ensure you get off to the very best start. CPD is thriving, practical, imaginative and inspirational at Fitzharrys, with everyone an active and reflective practitioner. Our positive ethos is focussed on developing great teachers and giving you the context to continue to flourish. We are a strategic partner of OTSA delivering leadership training to colleagues across Oxfordshire. Fitzharrys grows leaders, both for internal posts and promotion to other schools. We are a school community committed to getting the best from and for everyone.

“The behaviour of pupils is good. Pupils enjoy each other’s company at social times and value the good friendships they make here. They are respectful to each other, staff and visitors and enjoy the pleasant and secure environment the school offers.”

Through our focus on high quality teaching and learning, good behaviour and great children, our school has achieved record results at GCSE and A Level for four consecutive years. Current year groups are building even further on these achievements because they feel part of a culture of success where they are encouraged to be adventurous and open minded. As a school with a positive and open mindset, everyone develops the determination and resilience that makes learning enjoyable and worthwhile.

“Fitzharrys School cares a great deal about pupils’ achievement and personal development and so working relationships between staff and pupils are very strong.”

We are proud of our great students, and in turn they are proud to be part of something special. Parents are very supportive of the work of the school, recognising our care, attention to detail and how each child benefits from a nurturing environment where they are known, supported and challenged to achieve great things.

You will be joining an inspirational, friendly and supportive team of staff and governors in a school with a very special ethos and culture. Our Staff Panto and brilliant World Book Day participation show that we embrace the joys of creativity and put our vision and ethos into action, helping to build those positive relationships with our students. Through our partnership with two local secondary schools, a local independent school and local primaries you will have access to an even wider community of colleagues and opportunities. We regularly host teachers from other countries through our partnership with Oxford Brookes University, sharing the ethos and strategies that have nurtured Fitzharrys success.

All staff have access to our fully equipped fitness suite, saving on gym membership. Abingdon itself is a great place to a great range of shops, restaurants, pubs and parks, with the Thames running through the town. We are well connected with Didcot and Oxford stations nearby. Oxford itself offers theatres, music venues, museums, parks and much more.

Why you should choose Fitzharrys:

  • Great induction helps you to make a flying start and feel part of the Fitzharrys family.
  • Supportive senior and middle leadership teams and colleagues work alongside you in your early days at Fitzharrys and sustain you in your ongoing development.
  • Strong behaviour for learning supports your success as a teacher.
  • We are a school where you can teach and students can learn.
  • Great practical CPD and our developmental ethos supports each teacher to keep on getting better.
  • You will have opportunities to develop your leadership by working with others in school and across our partnerships.
  • Wonderful students packed full of personality and sparkle make the day enjoyable and rewarding.
  • You will be part of a supportive, nurturing and encouraging staff team.
  • Supportive parents value the work of our school.
  • We have a proven track record of success and a strong upward trajectory.
  • We are a friendly, warm and nurturing school with great relationships and a strong ethos of care.
  • Whatever stage you are at in your teaching career, Fitzharrys offers the right environment to enhance your skills and enjoy your job.

This is an exciting time to join us in our continued development. If you want to be part of an innovative, supportive and caring school and contribute to each student achieving their ambitions then we look forward to meeting you.

Application forms and further details about the post and school are available on our website or from the Headteacher’s PA, Carole McKivitt, on 01235 462424, or by email to

Oxfordshire schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.

FITZHARRYS SCHOOL

TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE