Director of Music

St Nicholas Catholic High School, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 1JW

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  01 September 2026

• Closing date

  16 March 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  2 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: Music
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £37,101.00 - £51,047.00 Annually (Actual) TLR2C £8611. From MPS3 to UPS3

Director of Music job summary

Would you like an opportunity to become Director of Music at our high achieving, happy and caring catholic school in Cheshire? If the answer is yes, then this is your moment to make the move and join a school where Music is high profile and central to what we do and who we are.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

£8,611 (TLR2C)

St. Nicholas Catholic High School seeks an inspirational, strategic and highly effective Director of Music to lead academic music, maintain and grow a thriving performance programme across the whole school, and ensure that music continues to play a central and joyful role in school life.

Music is important to us and is a very special part of what we do here. From the moment you join us, you will feel a strong sense of belonging within our Catholic community and, although you don't need to be Catholic, you must feel at ease being in a Catholic school where Music is central to so much of what we do and who we are.

The music department has achieved results at GCSE & A Level significantly above national standards. Both the school orchestra and choir have performed in concerts abroad for the last 10 years. The choir participate in competitions, locally and nationally, and have performed annually with the Northern Chamber Orchestra as part of ‘Christmas at Tatton Park’.

You will be an enthusiastic and talented classroom practitioner, ideally able to teach up to A Level, with a strong commitment to co-curricular music and the ability to inspire our dedicated students with significant musical talent as well as those whose interests lie elsewhere.

Main Purpose of the Role

You will have primary responsibility for the delivery of academic music and contribute fully to the co-curricular programme. You will be responsible for the performance programme in close collaboration with other areas of school life, ensuring a coherent, whole school musical pathway.

This is a full-time permanent post.

The role involves significant commitments during term time for rehearsals, services, concerts, productions, competitions and trips. You will be fully supported by a member of the SLT and given every opportunity to develop and grow, where you can access the range of teaching and leadership programmes we offer to all staff.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

For the full responsibilities and requirements of the role please refer to the job pack.

We will expect you to have:

• Recognised teaching qualification
• Recent leadership experience (within the last three years) where you can demonstrate significant impact
• Degree in Music
• Proven leadership of ensembles and choral groups with experience of organising concerts successfully
• Talent, ability and an unwavering commitment to support a range of musical events
• Confident conductor/director with excellent rehearsal technique.
• High level organisation, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Application Process

If you think this is the right opportunity for you, please complete the CES application form ensuring all sections are completed in full, this includes the 1300 supporting statement where you outline your skills and experience, as well as what you will bring to the role.

Visits to the school are welcome but do not form part of the process.

Closing date: Monday 16 March, 9am.

Shortlisting: W/C 16 March 2026.

Interview Date: Week ending 20 March 2026 (provisional)

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our school is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please refer to the school’s safeguarding policy on the school website here https://st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Child-Protection-Safeguarding-Policy-2022.pdf

All appointments are made subject to:

· An enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check

· Checks of professional status where applicable.

· Confirmation of professional qualifications, where applicable.

· Receipt of suitable references

· Medical clearance

· Online vetting check

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About St Nicholas Catholic High School

• School type: Local authority maintained school, Roman Catholic, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1220 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: St Nicholas Catholic High School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/st-nicholas-catholic-high-school

St Nicholas Catholic High School is a mixed catholic secondary school and sixth form for pupils aged 11-18. It is located in Northwich, Cheshire, and caters for approximately 1,250 pupils.

The school opened as a secondary modern in 1965, becoming a comprehensive school in 1972. It is a voluntary-aided school.

Values and vision

As a Catholic School, Gospel values permeate all the work undertaken in St Nicholas Catholic High School. Pupils are encouraged to recognise the importance of education in their own fulfillment as well as for the betterment of society.

The school aims to nurture students’ faith through liturgical celebration, and provides pupils with opportunities to take part in retreats. St Nicholas welcomes the views of parents, and considers them to be central to the successful education of their children.

The school’s Mission Statement summarises what the institution is aiming for: “We aspire to embrace the Gospel and its values, celebrating uniqueness and diversity. Our learning, within an enterprise culture, is based upon trust and respect which define our relationships within the world family. Everyone Matters.”

School location

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