Head of Music – High Achieving Secondary School in Manchester – April Start!

A high achieving and well-respected secondary school in Manchester is seeking an exceptional Head of Music to lead its thriving Performing Arts department from April 2026. This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious and experienced Music specialist to take on a key leadership role within a school known for strong academic outcomes, excellent behaviour, and a vibrant creative culture. Music is a valued and high-profile subject within the school, with strong uptake at GCSE and A Level, a rich extracurricular programme, and regular concerts, productions, and ensemble performances. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving further excellence and raising the profile of Music across the school community. The Role Leading and managing the Music department across KS3, KS4, and KS5 Driving high standards of teaching, learning, and assessment across all key stages Developing and refining an ambitious, well-sequenced Music curriculum Overseeing concerts, ensembles, productions, and extracurricular provision Line managing and mentoring Music staff to ensure consistent high-quality delivery Monitoring pupil progress and implementing strategies to raise attainment Managing departmental budgets, resources, and performance facilities Contributing to whole-school leadership initiatives and strategic planning The Ideal Candidate Will Have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) A degree in Music or a closely related subject Proven experience teaching Music at secondary level, including KS5 Previous leadership experience within a department A strong track record of improving outcomes and promoting musical excellence Excellent organisational, communication, and leadership skills The ability to inspire both staff and pupils within a high-expectations environment This secondary school in Manchester is recognised for its academic standards, positive pupil behaviour, and supportive leadership team. The Performing Arts department benefits from dedicated rehearsal and performance spaces, strong pupil participation, and a collaborative team ethos focused on excellence. Salary MPS/UPS + TLR (dependent on responsibility and experience) Application To apply for this Head of Music position in Manchester, please submit your CV outlining your leadership experience and subject specialism. For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact us directly. Early applications are encouraged as the school is keen to appoint for April 2026.