Birkenhead School, awarded the Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year in the North West for 2025, was founded in 1860. It is an HMC independent day school providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral, Liverpool and as far afield as Chester and North Wales. Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a ‘village green’ atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories looking out over the cricket square. Recent capital developments have included a fully refurbished library and meeting room block, and a new landscaped playground area.
Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school and this has been greatly strengthened by the opening of the Nursery in 2006. It is attractive to parents to have all their children in one school and it is a great advantage for the School to be able to establish strong, long-lasting relationships with families.
A key feature of the School is its strength of community which runs through the student, staff and parental bodies. The School is embedded within the wider Wirral community, has strong links with local business and charities, and offers an extensive bursary programme.
The School aims to inspire students both inside and outside the classroom, knowing each individual and providing them with outstanding opportunities to find their niche. It is the School’s belief that a proper education comprises so much more than just academic work and intellectual development. Significant emphasis is placed on wellbeing and pastoral care: the warmth and friendliness of the School community is one of its great strengths and most distinctive features.
THE DEPARTMENT
Music at Birkenhead School is a prestigious and highly valued aspect of School life and recent years have seen the development and expansion of facilities and staffing, providing excellent opportunities for students. In addition to the Director of Music, the subject is currently taught by two part-time teachers in Seniors, and a part-time Teacher in Prep and Little School.
The Director of Music leads and oversees all aspects of music education at the School, supported by a Department Administrator. Alongside these colleagues, there is also a strong team of visiting instrumental teachers, offering tuition in around 20 different instruments. Approximately a third of students learn a musical instrument either in or outside School. The School offers music scholarships, typically awarded at the start of Year 7 (Seniors), to particularly talented students who, in return, are expected to make wide contributions to the musical life of the School.
A broad co-curricular programme is one of the School’s strategic pillars, and underpins the balanced ethos of the School. Music and drama are key components within this, and the Chapel Choir and Drama Productions are two distinctive features, prized by the community.
The School’s Chapel Choir is somewhat unique amongst independent day schools, with Choristers performing what is essentially a cathedral repertoire. A high musical standard is expected and maintained in the Chapel Choir - the only requirement for a place is a promising voice and a sense of enthusiasm and commitment. Apart from providing the music in Chapel during the week and at the Sunday service, the Choir sings at occasional OB events including weddings, and has in the past undertaken recitals and services in various cathedrals.
Participation in regular co-curricular music-making is strongly encouraged at all ages. Offering a number of ensembles, orchestras, events and concerts, music at Birkenhead School is lively, varied and, most importantly, fun. A number of concerts and events take place throughout the year involving children and students from Early Years, Prep and Seniors.
The School has a strong tradition in drama, and is well-known for the outstanding quality of its productions. Over the last decade particularly, the School’s annual musical productions have developed a considerable local following. The incoming Director of Music will continue to play a pivotal role in maintaining this tradition.
THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY
The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and well-qualified musician, able to lead an extensive co-curricular music programme including the Chapel Choir, support musical productions, teach the full age range of students, and help prepare students for entry to university and conservatoires.
The Director of Music is responsible for the overall provision of curricular and co-curricular music at Birkenhead School and will report to the Deputy Head on all aspects of the role.
Please visit the School website for the full list of responsibilities as outlined in the Candidate Pack, alongside information on how to apply.
This is a full-time post, and the post holder will be required to contribute to co-curricular opportunities and work as necessary to carry out the duties of the role.
Candidates are welcome to contact the Deputy Head, Kirsten Pankhurst at kp@birkenheadschool.co.uk with any questions relating to the role.
To meet our safeguarding obligations, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is undertaken as part of the recruitment process for all new staff. As Birkenhead School is an educational provider, it is permitted to ask whether an applicant has any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings which would not be filtered in line with current guidance, as defined by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). It is a criminal offence for an individual who is barred from working with children to apply for a role which is classed as regulated activity.
The closing date for applications: 9.00am on Monday 10th March 2025.
Shortlisted candidates are likely to be invited to interview week commencing 17th March 2025.