Head of Music
Meols Cop High School, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 6JS32 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
20 April 2026 at 9am
Date listed
19 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
- Head of department or curriculum
- View all Suitable for early career teachersjobs
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Subject
- Music
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- MPS 1 TO UPS 3
Additional allowances
TLR2A at a rate of £3,527
What skills and experience we're looking for
Meols Cop High School is seeking to appoint an inspirational Music Subject Leader to join us from September 2026 or sooner. We are keen to hear from candidates who are exceptional classroom practitioners and innovative leaders of people and teams, with a track record of working collaboratively to bring out the best in others and to create and develop an inspirational curriculum.
This is a truly exciting appointment for us; Subject Leaders are the key drivers of school improvement at Meols Cop. You would be joining a team of strong, aspirational middle leaders who have an incredible impact on our young people. We are looking for an adaptable, strategic, and committed leader who will inspire our students and our Music team as part of our wider Performing Arts team.
At the core of our mission to Broker Aspirations is a Music department that is central to school life. We believe in an ambitious, sequenced curriculum that empowers students to find their voice through high-quality composition and performance. From intimate recitals to large-scale collaborative productions with our wider Performing Arts team, we ensure our students gain the skills and confidence to excel. As our Music Subject Leader, you will drive an inspiring culture of creativity, overseeing a wide-reaching calendar of concerts and collaborative Performing Arts showcases. We are looking for an ambitious leader ready for a career-defining role—someone who can ensure our students develop the values and artistry that provide a passport to their future success.
Our Performing Arts team are incredibly committed and share our whole-school vision to empower students, and Music is central to this team and the wider school. The Subject Leader for Music will be innovative, creative, and strategic, with a commitment to both curricular and extra-curricular music, and will be able to lead the team of peripatetic tutors with integrity and assurance. They will have a proven track record of driving improvement at Key Stages 3 and 4, and considerable strength in curriculum development and improving outcomes in Music. We are looking for a Subject Leader who will develop and lead our exceptional Music team to even greater success. The right candidate will be supportive and collaborative, able to develop and enhance the skillset of the staff, be research-informed in their thinking, and have a genuine love for Music.
Music sits at the centre of life at Meols Cop High School. A remarkable number of pupils choose to be involved—whether through sound and production work, peripatetic lessons, our large choir, or the much loved school shows and productions. This enthusiasm continues into examination years, with a consistently strong uptake at KS4 that reflects how deeply students value the subject.
For many young people, Music is where they find their tribe. They buy into the department’s energy, creativity, and sense of belonging, making it a vibrant and rewarding place to teach. The wider Performing Arts team is collaborative and supportive, and our dedicated peripatetic staff bring expertise that enriches every aspect of the curriculum.
The right applicant will recognise how special this environment is: a school where Music thrives, participation is high, and students are genuinely passionate about their craft. The successful candidate will fully immerse themselves in the rich culture of extra-curricular Music as well as classroom teaching. At Meols Cop High School, Music is a special place to teach because the students give as much back as you put in. It is a department fuelled by passion, technical skill, and a genuine love for the arts.
Meols Cop High School is a truly special place to work. Please don’t just take our word for it—interested applicants are strongly encouraged to visit us, meet our team and, most importantly, get to know our incredible students. To organise a tour ahead of application, please contact Sarah Byrne, PA to the Leadership Team, at recruitment@meolscop.co.uk.
What the school offers its staff
- Effective, supportive and dynamic leadership – where music is central
- Constant opportunities for continued professional development
- A positive approach to innovative ideas – a culture where leaders say ‘yes’ to opportunities for our young people
- Enthusiastic students who are keen to make good progress
- A wellbeing charter that ensures workload is reasonable and fair so that staff can flourish
- A welcoming team who work hard, share a mutual determination for our students and will always support one another
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Meols Cop High School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 906 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Meols Cop High School website
- Email address
- recruitment@meolscop.co.uk
Arranging a visit to Meols Cop High School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@meolscop.co.uk.
School location
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