Instrumental Teachers Handbook 2023-2024

Welcomebacktoanewschoolyear!

Thereputationofourschoolreliesenormouslyonthequalityofourinstrumentaltuition,andIamproudto havesuchafantasticteamofteachers.Manyofyoualsocontributeawiderangeofotheractivities,ingroup work,classes,coaching,rehearsalsandperformances.Youhaveanenormousimpactonourstudentsʼlives, andyouarecrucialtothesuccessoftheschoolasawhole Ihopethatyoualwaysfeelthatyouareanintegral memberoftheschoolcommunity:whetheryouteachherefull-timeorforjustafewhoursaweek,weareglad tohaveyourepresentingusandadvocatingforuswhereveryougo

FollowingouroutstandingISIreportinJune2022,theacademicyear2022-23wasareallypositiveandvery happyone Allmusicdepartmentsarereallyfiringonallcylinders,withadmirablecreativityandenergy, hundredsofconcerts,andlotsofnewmusic.ThenewPopandCommercialMusicCoursehasfounditsfeet,in splendidnewpremises Studentsandparentsaregenerallyextremelypositiveandgrateful

Thisonlyinspiresmetolookforfurtheropportunitiestoimprovewhatwedo,andhelptomakeyourteaching evenmorerewarding-togetherweshouldhavethehighestpossibleexpectations.Wetrytobea forward-lookingorganisation,opentonewideas,imaginativesuggestionsandconstructivecriticism.Please donʼthesitatetocontributehoweveryouwish

Asanemployee,youhaveacontractofemployment,andthisdocumentisintendedtoprovidepracticalhelp Youwillfindmoreinformationontheschoolwebsiteandintranet,includingpolicies,afullstafflist,andthe CodeofConduct.

Ilookforwardtoworkingtogether,andwishyouwellforthecomingyear.

PaulHoskins

DirectorofMusic

ThePurcellSchool

AldenhamRoad

Bushey

Herts

WD232TS

wwwpurcell-schoolorg

SchoolOffice&GeneralEnquiries: Tel:01923331100

Fax:01923331166

Email:info@purcell-schoolorg OR schooloffice@purcell-schoolorg

PrincipalʼsOffice: Tel:01923331104

Email:principal@purcell-schoolorg

Bursar:

Tel:01923331127

Email:a.wroblewski@purcell-school.org

1 SAFEGUARDING

Ourfirstpriority,andyours,istoensurethatstudentsandstaffaresafe,healthy,andasfaraspossible,happy!

Allteachersinschoolsarerequiredbylawtoreceivechildprotectiontrainingaspartoftheirinduction,andthen atthree-yearlyintervals Inaddition,teachersarerequiredtoreadtheannualupdatetolegislation Wewillnot permitanyteachertoworkwhohasnotyetfulfilledthestatutorytrainingrequirements,nomatterwhatthe reason

Asaone-to-oneteacheratamusicschool,youareinaparticularlyvulnerableposition Allegationsofimproper conductarerare,butnotunknownhere;theywillalwaysresultinaninvestigation,andthiscanbeenormously distressingforallconcerned Thefollowingproceduresmustbefollowed:

● E-mailstostudentsmustbesentfromyourPurcellSchoolemailaddress,totheirPurcellSchoolemail address.Neveruseyourpersonalemailaccountortheirpersonalemailaccount.

● Donotcontactstudentsbytextorphone TheofficestaffondutyatReception,orhouseparents,cando thisforyouinanemergency

● Donottakemobilephonenumbersfromyourstudents,orgivethemyournumbers

● Donotengagewithstudentsthroughsocialmediaeg theymustnotbeyourfriendonFacebookandyou mustnotbetheirs

● Undernocircumstancesmayastudentvisityouatyourhome,orviceversa,withoutthepermissionof theirparentsandtheschool.Guidanceonteachingintheholidays,whichisnotencouraged,isincludedin thishandbook

● Lanyardsmustbewornatalltimesonsite,andyoumustpleasescanthebarcodetosigninandout Thissystemgeneratesliststolettheschoolknowifyouareonsiteincaseoffire

● TeachingexternalstudentsinschoolisnotpermittedexceptwiththespecificpermissionofthePrincipal Wecanprovidestudentswithphysiotherapyandcounsellingonsite,andweencourageopendialogueabout goodhealth,bothphysicalandmental Pleasesignpoststudentstothisprofessionalsupport:thisshouldhelpyou tomaintainprofessionalboundariesinlessons,forexamplelimitingconversationsaboutstudentsʼpersonallives, andnevertalkingaboutyourown

Youshouldteachyourstudentsandremindthemregularlyaboutthefivecommoncausesofmuscular-skeletal injuryinmusicians(suddenincreaseinplayingtime,stress,suddenchangeintechnicaldemandsofrepertoire, growthspurt,poorposture);andencouragethemtohavemorethanoneadultmemberofstaffwithwhomthey cantalkaboutanyfeelingsofanxiety Anyconcernsyouhaveaboutastudentʼswell-being,howeverminor,should beregisteredonthewebsitemyconcerneducation;theschoolprovidesallstaffwithalogin

AGoodPracticeGuideforsafeguardingforinstrumentalteacherscanbefoundattheendof thishandbookasan Appendix FullchildprotectionproceduresandguidelinescoveringallstaffarecontainedintheStaffHandbook (ontheschoolwebsite,underSchoolLife).YouwillalsofindcopiesofSchoolpoliciesonAnti-bullyingand Self-harmingaswellasaccesstoallthecurrentstatutorylegislationfromtheDepartmentforEducation:Working TogethertoSafeguardChildren(2018),KeepingChildrenSafeinEducation(2020) Youwillfindmostcolleaguesare goodsourcesofadviceandexperience,andallstaffareencouragedtooperateinanopensafeguardingculture

COMMUNICATIONWITHPARENTS

Itislikelythatyouwillfindithelpfultocontactparents,andyoumayalreadyknowsomeparentsbeforetheirchild joinstheschool Thisisanareathatcanbedifficulttomanage Useyourschoolemail,andifyoufeelthatyouare gettinginvolvedinareasthatmayconflictwiththeinterestsoftheschool,oryouaresimplyhavingmorecontact thanisreasonable,pleaseaskforadvice Ifinanydoubt,avoidunnecessarycontact,andcopyinyourHeadof Departmenttopotentiallydifficultcommunications.Shouldyoueverneedtoemailtheparentsofmorethanone studenttogether,alwaysusebcctoavoiddisclosinge-mailaddressesbetweenfamilies

Ifyoufindthatforanyreasonyourloyaltiesaredividedbetweenthefamilyandtheschool,pleasedonʼt forgetyourobligationtosupporttheschool.Iftherearethingsthatwearedoingbadly,pleaseraisethemwith yourHeadofDepartmentortheDirectorofMusicattheearliestopportunity,toavoidbeing“caughtinthemiddle” Anearlyphonecallwithparentsfromaseniormemberofstaffisoenallittakestodiffuseasituationthat otherwisecangetmessy.Encourageyourstudentstotalktoadultsinschoolaboutproblems,ratherthanphoning theirparents,whichisoentheirfirstinstinct Parentsarenotpermittedtoattendmusiclessons

3 COMMUNICATIONWITHINTHESCHOOL

Theschoolʼsnormalformofinternalcommunicationisemail AllstaffareprovidedwithPurcellSchoolemail addressesandareexpectedtousethem Pleasebemindfuloftheschoolʼsemailprotocols:avoidwritingtoʻall staffʼastherearehundredsofpeople,manyoftheminunrelateddepartments;emailsshouldgenerallybebrief andinformation-sharing Difficultconversationsarebesthadfacetofaceoronthephone,notbyemail

4 ARRANGINGYOURLESSONS

ThetimetablingofinstrumentallessonsiscomplexanddoneatleastoneweekinadvancebyFionaDuce,our InstrumentalTimetabler Shemanagestoaccommodateyouravailabilitywiththeschooltimetable,thestudentsʼ manyacademicandmusicalcommitments,andotherinstrumentallessons. Asfaraspossible,Fionauses studentsʼfreetimeorputsthemonarotawhichpreventsthemfrommissingthesameclasslessontwoweeksina row.

Wethereforeaskthatyouadheretothefollowingprocess:

● FionaDuceneedstoknowyouravailabilityforteachingby1000amonMondayofthepreviousweek

● YourtimetablewillbeemailedtoyourPurcellemailaccountonFridaysforthefollowingweek.

● Youmustnotallowstudentstoswaporchangetheirlessons,andpleasedonotchangeorswaprooms

● Alllessonsmustfinishontime,ideallyfiveminutesearlyifthestudentisgoingontootherclasses.

● Itisgoodpracticetoknowwhichhouseyourstudentsarein,whatsubjectstheyaredoing,andhowthey areprogressinggenerally Weareasmallenoughschoolthateachstudentʼsprogresscanbesupported individually,andyouhaveanimportantroleinachainthatincludeshouseparent,headofdepartment, tutor,otherteachersandpastoralstaff Anycommunicationaboutapastoralconcern,howeverbrief,is useful.

Youshouldalsoknowthatifastudentwishestomissschoolforanyreason,aparentorguardianmustmakea detailedabsencerequestbyemail,14daysinadvance,tostudentabsence@purcell-school.org.

5 ATTENDANCE&REGISTERS

Yourgoogleregisterisacrucialdocument:itisarecordofstudentattendance,andsoavitalpartofsafeguarding; italsoenablesyoutobepaidaccuratelyforalllessonsthatFionaDuceschedules,asitisreconciledwithpay-roll Pleaseensurethatyoucompletetheregistereveryweekwiththeinformationpresentedasrequested.Jane McGuinnessoverseesbothregistersandpayrollandwillsendalinkwithinstructions

Ifastudentissickorfailstocometoascheduledlesson

You will be paid for any lessonthatdoesnottakeplacewhenithasbeenscheduled However,absentstudents mustalwaysbechasedupimmediately,initiallybycontactingFrontDeskReceptionon202(or01923331102).

ForfurtherinformationontheMissingStudentsProtocolvisittheStaffHandbook

TheschoolexpectstobetoldimmediatelyviayourHoDifthereisevenashortpatternofnon-attendance,sothat wecanintervenetoimprovemotivation Ifastudentlosesinterest,changesteacher,orstopstakinglessons,we arenotobligedtopayteachersanynoticeperiod.Wewillalwaystrytorespondtoeachsituationreasonably andfairlyforall,andthemorecommunicativeyouareaboutyourstudentsʼprogress,(bothachievementsand challenges),themorewecanhelptoavoidanystudentfallingaway

Ifyouaresickorabsent

Ifyouaresickonthedayyouareduetoteach,youwillbepaid,andyouarenotobligedtomakeupthetimelater intheyear

Ifyouwishtobeabsent,forexampletofulfilengagementsabroad,youmustconsultwithyourHoDattheearliest opportunitysothatallimplicationscanbediscussed HoDswilltrytobeflexibleiftheyhaveenoughnotice,but extendedperiodsofabsencearetobeavoided PleasealsogiveFionaDuceplentyofwarning Ifyouareunclear aboutmanaginganabsencefromworkpleaserefertotheStaffHandbookorcontactFionaDuce.

6.TEACHINGTIME

Atthestartoftheacademicyear,youwillbegivenaweeklyallocationforeachofyourstudents.Thenumberof lessonsactuallytaughtannuallywilldependonthenumberofweeksavailableineachacademicyear,teachers' individualworkschedules,bankholidays,publicexams,studentabsence,studyleave,tripsandtoursetc.

Instrumentalteachersarescheduledtogiveuptoamaximumof30weeksoflessons,inperson,duringthefull academicyear Forsomestudents,especiallyinyear11and13,wecannotalwaysguaranteethatitwillbe possibletoschedulethefull30weeksoflessons

Itisnotgenerallygoodpracticeto“doubleup”extralessonswithinoneweek,andsowediscouragethisinmost cases Inexceptionalcircumstancesandasalastresortwemaypermittheoccasionalonlinelesson,butthisisnot encouraged Teachingintheholidaysisnotanoptionasanalternative(seebelowinregardtoadditionallessons)

Allinstrumentalteachersarepaidinmonthlyinstalmentsovertwelvemonths(SeptembertoAugust)accordingto thenumberofhoursscheduled Asregistersareupdatedeachweek,theywillautomaticallykeeptrackofhow manyhoursandweekseachstudentandteacherhasattendedthroughtheyear Monthlypaymaybeadjusted duringtheyearinresponsetoanysurplusordeficithourstaught.Thereisanopportunityforpaytobecorrectly adjustedattheendoftheacademicyearifnecessary Holidaypaywillbepaidforthewholeyear,prorata,in August Allocationsmaychangeupordownduringthecourseoftheacademicyear,butwherepossiblethese changeswillbekepttothestartofeachindividualterm

AnyqueriesaboutpayshouldbedirectedtoJaneMcGuinnessj.mcguiness@purcell-school.org.

7 TEACHINGINTHESCHOOLHOLIDAYS

TheSchoolacknowledgesthatteachersoengetrequestsfromstudentsandparentstocontinuelessonsasa privatearrangementduringtheholidays Asageneralrule,theSchooldoesnotencourageoff-siteteachingoutof term,butitdoesrecognisethatitmaybethepreferredchoiceforsomefamiliesandtheremaybesomebenefits forsomeindividualstudents

Shouldamemberofstaffreceivearequesttocontinueteachingduringtheschoolholidays,theyshouldinform theirHeadofDepartmentwhowillprovideadviceandguidance(seebelow).Staffareundernoobligationto respondpositivelytosuchrequestsandtheSchoolcanprovidesupportintheeventofinsistentparents

Undernocircumstancesshouldstaffmakeunsolicitedoffersofadditionalteachingtostudentsorparentsnor placestudentsunderpressuretocontinuelessonsoutoftermtime Evidenceofsuchconductwillbetreatedasa seriousdisciplinarymatter

GuidanceforInstrumentalStaffwishingtoprovideprivatetuitiontostudentsduringtheholidayperiods

TheSchoolrecognisesthatsomefamiliesmaywishtoenterintoaprivatearrangementwithteachersforthe continuanceoflessonsduringaschoolholiday Thismightinvolveteachingthestudentattheteacherʼsprivate studio,homeoronline Asageneralrule,theSchooldoesnotencourageoff-siteteachingoutofterm,butitdoes recognisethatitwillbethepreferredchoiceforsomefamiliesandtheremaybesomebenefitsforthestudent

Whereateacheragreestoundertakesuchteaching,itisaprivatearrangementbetweentheteacherandthe parentandhasnoimpactontheSchoolʼsprovisionintermtimeandshouldnotinterferewithyourusualduties underyourcontract

However,fortheprotectionofstaffandstudentsalike,somegeneralprinciplesshouldbeobservedintheconduct oftheteaching:

● Studentsshouldnotbegiventheprivatetelephonenumbersofstaff. Arrangementsshouldbemade directlybetweentheparentandtheteacher

● TheSchoolexpectsstafftomaintainthehighestprofessionalstandardsandexpectssuchprivatelessons tobeconductedinthesamemannerastheyareinschool

● Wherelessonsaretobetaughtonline,theSchoolʼsguidanceonteachingsafelyonlinemustbefollowed

● Asthisisaprivateengagementoutsideterm-time,schoolfacilitiesandpremisesmaynotbeused.

● TheSchoolrequiresanysafeguardingconcernsand/ordisclosuresthatmayariseduringthecourseofthe privatelessontobereportedtotheSchoolviaMyConcern.

● TheSchoolrequiresanyconcernsaboutprogresstobesharedwiththerelevantHeadofDepartment

Staffshouldnotfeelobligedtoagreetoanyrequestsandshouldreportanyunduepressuretoprovidelessonsto theSchool,whowillsupportstaff Equally,staffmaynotofferorseekteachingopportunitiestostudentswhereit hasnotbeenrequestednorapplypressureonfamiliestoagreetoadditionallessons.

8.REPORTS

FormalreportsarecompletedonSIMSforallstudents(bothfirstandsubsidiarystudies)twiceayearinthe AutumnandSummerterms Wewillinformyouofdeadlinesinplentyoftime;guidancecanbeprovidedinthe electronicprocess Pleasealwayswritecommentsthatwillhelpthestudenttoimprovefurtherbyfocussingon cleartargetsforthefuture.

Reportsshouldnotcomeasasurprisetoparentsorcolleagues.Ifthereareseriousissueswithprogressatany point,youmustflagtheseuptoHoDorDoMassoonaspossible Practicenotebooksareencouraged,Theycan beaplaceforwrittencommentsaboutrepertoire,practicetips,forthcomingperformances,deadlinesandkey dates Theycanbewritteninandreadbyteachers,students,parents,tutors,housestaffandpracticesupervisors inwhateverwayishelpful

9 ADMISSIONTOTHESCHOOL,ALLOCATIONOFTEACHERS,LESSONDURATION&ADDITIONALTIME

EntrytoThePurcellSchoolisatanyagefrom11-17,andstudentscanjointheschoolinanyyear7-12exceptYear 11 Earlyentryfor10-year-oldsisexceptional,and judgedonacasebycasebasisbythePrincipal

ThechoiceofinstrumentalteacherisdeterminedbyyourHoD Everyeffortismadetochoosetherightteacherto matchtheneedsoftheindividualstudent. Nochangesofinstrumentalteachercantakeplacewithoutprior consultationwiththeHoD Internalinstrumentalteachingstaffwillbenotifiedoftheirstudentallocationforthe yearinadvanceofthecommencementoftheAutumnTerm.

Thenormalexpectationformoststudentsisthattheywillreceivebetweentwoandthreehoursperweektuitionin total,one-to-one TheMusicDepartmentdecideshowmuchtuitionisappropriateforeachindividualstudent,and thedistributionbetweendifferentstudies,accordingtostudentsʼmusicalandacademicneeds,timetableand otheractivities.Nostudenthasanyautomaticrighttothreehoursʼtuition:eachindividualwillbeoffereda programmeappropriatetothem

Inexceptionalcases,inconsultationwithparentsandsubjecttotheapprovaloftherelevantHoDandDoM, studentsmayreceiveinexcessofthreehoursaweek Theexcesslessonsmayberechargedtoparents(atcost)on thefollowingtermʼsbill Arrangementsforexcessinstrumentallessonswillnotbeputinplaceunlessparentshave giventheirpermissioninwritingtotheappropriateHoD

10 STUDENTSWHOSEPROGRESSISNOTSATISFACTORY

Forsomestudents,Purcellmaynotbetherightschool,andtheirplaceisnotnecessarilyguaranteedthefollowing year.Ifyouareworriedabouttheprogressofanyofyourstudents,pleasedonothesitatetospeakto yourHoDortheDoMimmediately Pleasebeespeciallymindfulofthoseatthestartofyear11ifthereisany questionaboutthemprogressingto6thform

Youshouldputaprogrammeoftargetsinplaceforanystudentwhorequiresthematanypoint,andaskHoDsfor supportinholdingthestudentstothem.WemaychoosetoassessafewstudentsformallyduringtheSpringterm, iftherearedoubtsabouttheircontinuingattheschool Parentsneedtobegivengoodnoticeofthis,andconcerns shouldberaisednolaterthanChristmasifaplaceisindoubtforthefollowingyear

11.FACILITIES

A)TEACHINGROOMS

B)STAFFROOM

TheStaffRoomislocatedneartheDiningHall Theinstrumentalteachersʼpigeonholesarealsohere-please checkforanypostormessagesregularly Lunchmaybetakenanytimebetween12and130intheDiningHall Staffareexpectedtoqueuewithstudents

C)SCHOOLOFFICE

TheSchoolOfficestaffwillbehappytohelpyouwithanygeneralquestionsaboutstudentsandtheschool

D)PARKING

PleaseparkintheCarParkbehindAvisonHouse(nearesttoBusheyMillLane) Spaceselsewhereinschoolarefor residentsandvisitorsonly

WHOʼSWHO

Belowisalistofsomeofthestaffwhoyouaremostlikelytomeet

,eg

13.CONCERTSANDCOMPETITIONS

Oneoftheschoolʼsmainpurposesistoprovidesuitableperformingopportunitiesforallstudents Please thereforesupporttheschoolbyputtingyourstudentsforwardforschoolconcerts.

Lunchtimeconcertstakeplacefourtimesaweek,andtherearealsoperformanceclassesinthetimetableevery weekforyears7-11 Allstudentsinyear9andaboveshouldaimtoperforminatleastoneclassand lunchtimeconcerteachterm,ideallymoreoen.Youshouldplanrepertoireanddateswithyourstudents ConcertsaremanagedbyCharlotteLeeintheMusicOffice Thereareformstocompletewithdetailsofthe programme,andstudentsmustarrangerehearsalswithoneoftheschoolaccompanists,DebbieShahandDaniel Swain,orafellowstudent,unlesstheyareplayingunaccompanied.

Eveningconcertstakeplacemostweeks,andstudentsareinvitedtotakepart,basedontheirreadiness, willingness,generalpreparationandworkethic Anystudentwhofeelsthattheyarenotbeinggivenenough opportunitiestoperform,isinvitedtodiscusswithyou,theirHeadofDepartmentortheDirectorofMusic

Attendanceatlunchtimeconcerts

Studentsareexpectedtoattendatleastoneconcertonceaweekandregistersaretaken.

ExternalConcertsarrangedbytheschool

Therearealotofconcertsoutsideschool,somemoreformalandhigh-profilethanothersTheseareprogrammed bytheDirectorofMusicandHeadsofDepartment,almostalwaysinconsultationwithinstrumentalteachers; howeverpleasedonotbealarmedifoccasionallyyouarenotincluded-therewillbeagoodreason,forexampleif wehavealateinvitation,averydiscreetprivateevent,orsomethingthatisnotconfirmeduntilthelastminute

OutsideConcertsindependentofschool

StudentsareencouragedtotakepartinmusicalactivitiesoutsideSchool,particularlyattheweekendandduring schoolholidays Eventsthatclashwithschooldaysarenotencouraged,becauseourtermsareshortandourdays arebusy,andwealreadymanageacomplextimetableofclashesbetweenmusiclessonsandacademiclessons Permissionforabsencemustberequestedbyparentstwoweeksinadvance,andwillonlybegivenwhenthepros andconshavebeenconsideredbytheDirectorofMusic

Ifastudentwishestomissschoolforanyreason,aparentorguardianmustmakeadetailedabsence requestbyemail,14daysinadvance,tostudentabsence@purcell-school.org

Whenplayinganywhere,studentsareaskedtoacknowledgeThePurcellSchoolinconcertprogrammes;for example,“SamSmithholdsascholarshipatThePurcellSchoolundertheGovernmentʼsMusicandDance Scheme”

NobodymayusetheschoolʼsnameorlogotoadvertiseanexternalprivateconcertwithoutthePrincipalʼs permission.

Competitions

Competitionsaresometimesagoodidea,butnotalways,andtheyshouldbeundertakenonlyveryexceptionally intermtime Youmayneedtoaskusforsupportinturningdownrequestsforcompetitionsfromparentsor students.StudentsmayonlyapplyforcompetitionsaertheyhavetheagreementoftheirteacherandHeadof Department Aswithexternalconcerts,permissionforabsencewillonlybegivenaerconsiderationbythe DirectorofMusic

14.EXAMINATIONS

TheschooliscurrentlyconsultingonwhethertocontinueholdingAssociatedBoardpracticalexams The likelihoodforthemomentisthatwewillofferthemonceeveryyear,usuallyintheSpring.RyanBuncewillemail deadlineinformation Wecontinuetoentersomestudentsforgrade5,6,7and8MusicTheoryexams

15 PRACTICEANDPRACTICESUPERVISORS

Allteachersareexpectedtohelpstudentstopractiseeffectivelybysettingclearinstructionsandtargetseach week TheamountofpracticetimeshouldbemonitoredandHoDsinformedifstudentsdonotseemtobe practisingenoughoreffectively(ortoomuch)

TheschoolemploysPracticeSupervisors(younggraduatemusicians)tosupervisetimetabledpracticesessionsfor studentsinthelowerschool

16 INTERNALASSESSMENTS

Assessmentshouldbecontinuousthroughouttheyear,withparticularsuccessesaswellasconcernssharedwith HeadsofDepartment Theschoolhasasystemforrecordingachievementandbehaviourpoints,sopleaseaward theseonSIMS,askingforhelpfromHoDsoradminsupportifneeded.

FormalassessmentsaresetandmanagedbyHoDs,anddifferentdepartmentscanhaveslightlydifferent approaches,inordertosuittheirparticularstudents,ascohortschange Anadditionalinformalassessmentbythe DoMcanbearrangedatanytimewhenextramotivationorsupportisrequired

17.SHEETMUSICANDSUPPLIES

Inthepast,sheetmusicandothermusicalsundrieswouldbeorderedforstudentsviatheLibrary;whilstthisisstill possible,inpracticemoststudentscanorderonlinethemselves Anycostofitemsandmusicsuppliedby instrumentalteacherscanbeaddedasʻextrasʼtotheparentʼsnextbill Whereparentsdonotwishtopurchasea particularpieceofmusicanditisnotcurrentlyavailablefromtheLibrary,thenarequestcanbemadeforittobe orderedfortheLibrarytowhereitmustbereturnedaeruse

A)PERFORMANCEREQUIREMENTSFORIGCSEANDA-LEVELMUSICQUALIFICATIONS

AllstudentstakeiGCSEandA-levelinMusic,andarerequiredtoperformonatleastoneinstrumentaspartoftheir examinations Teachersareaskedtohelpstudentspreparesuitablerepertoire

Year10Students

Allstudentsinyear10worktowardsCambridgeiGCSEMusic(0410),takingtheirfinalexamsatthestartofYear11

Atthislevel,studentsarerequiredtosubmittwoperformances:oneasasoloistandoneaspartofanensemble Forthesoloperformance,studentsinvariablyperformontheirfirststudyinstrument(or2ndstudyfor1ststudy composers) Fortheensembleperformance,studentsusuallyperformaspartoftheirregularchambergroup, althoughothercombinationsarepossible,ifdesirable Theensemblemayincludestudentsfromotheryear groups Thecombinedperformanceduration(soloandensemble)shouldbebetween4and10minutes

Year 10 iGCSE performances mayberecordedatanypointduringtheyear,althoughweexpecttocompletethe majorityofrecordingsinJune.

Year13Students

AllstudentsinthesixthformworktowardsOCRA-LevelMusic(H543),andwillneedtosubmitavideorecordingof ashortrecital Allperformancestakeplaceinyear13between1stMarchand31stMay

ForOCRA-LevelMusic,studentsmustchooseoneofthefollowingoptions:

- Option1:PerformanceA(standard)Studentsmustperformashortrecital,wheretheminimum durationis6minutesandtherecommendedmaximumdurationis 9minutes Thisrecitalmustincludeat leasttwocontrastingpieces

- Option2:PerformanceB(extended)Studentsmustperforma shortrecital,wheretheminimum durationis10minutesandtherecommendedmaximumdurationis15minutes Thisrecitalmustinclude atleastthreecontrastingpieces. WeexpectmostPurcellstudentstochoosethisoption.

Moststudentswillchoosetoperformasolorecitalontheirfirststudyinstrument However,studentsmaychoose toperformaspartofanensembleforall,orpart,oftheirrecital,shouldthisbeconsideredmoreappropriate Pleasenotethatrecitalsmustbeononeinstrumentonly

B)MUSICIANSHIPINTHEACADEMICMUSICCURRICULUM

MusicianshiplessonsareacorecomponentofthewiderAcademicMusiccurriculum.Purcellstudentsfollowa gradedmusicianshipsyllabus;dedicatedMusicianshipclassesareavailabletoallstudentsinthelowerandmiddle school,andareofferedtosixthformersonanopt-inbasis Youcanfindabriefoverviewoftheclassesavailableat eachlevelbelow Ifyouwouldliketodiscussaparticularstudentʼsprogressinauraland/ortheory,youcan contactAndrewWilliams(HeadofAcademicMusic))atawilliams@purcell-schoolorg

LowerSchool(Years7–8)

Atthislevel,studentsaregroupedbyabilityandattendadedicatedMusicianshipclassthreetimesaweek These classesprimarilyfocusondevelopingauralandtheoryskills,withstudentstypicallyworkingtowardsagraded theoryexaminthesummerterm Thewide-rangingauralprogrammeisnotlimitedtotheskillsassessedinABRSM exams,butthesewillbecoveredduringtheyear Lowerschoolstudentswillalsohaveopportunitiestodevelop practicalmusicianshipandkeyboardharmonyskills.

MiddleSchoolMusicianship(Years9–11)

Inyears9,10and11,studentscontinuetoattendweeklymusicianshipclasses Studentsaregroupedbyability,in linewiththeschoolʼsmusicianshipsyllabus, toensurethattheycanmakethebestpossibleprogressduringthe courseoftheyear Groupingsarereviewedregularlyandformalassessmentstakeplaceattheendofeachterm Inadditiontothecoreauralclass,middleschoolstudentshavetheopportunitytochooseanelectiveclass. Electivecourses,deliveredweeklyacrossoneacademicyear,includehighertheorygrades(ABRSM6–8), KeyboardHarmony,MusicTechnologyandJazzMusicianship

SixthForm

AlthoughmusicianshipskillsareincorporatedintoallALevelmusicclasses,thereareanumberofadditional opportunitiesavailabletosixthformers Theseclasses,inadvancedauralandhigherlevelmusictheorygrades, areallofferedonanopt-inbasis

ABRSMAuralComponent

Althoughitisexpectedthatinstrumentalteachersenteringstudentsforexamswillcovertheauralcomponentin theirlessons,weaimtoprovideadditionalsupportifneeded Ifyoufeelthatanystudentwouldbenefitfrom additionalpracticeinthisaspectoftheexam,pleasecontactAndrewWilliams Wherepossible,additionallessons, focusingonthespecificexamcontent,willbeallocatedonatemporarybasis

MusicTheory

Musictheoryisincorporatedintotheschoolʼsmusicianshipsyllabusatalllevels However,dedicatedGrade5 theorytuitionisavailabletoallstudentswhohaveyettotakethisqualification Grade6-8theoryclassesare availabletostudentsinyears9-13,wherethetimetablepermits ForstudentsintheJazzandCommercialMusic departments,classesinpopularmusictheoryareavailable

DuetotheABRSMʼschangetotheonlineexamformatatGrade5,weencouragestudentstotakethisexamat home,usingtheirowncomputer Wherethisisnotpossible,however,themusicdepartmentwillaimtofacilitate theseexamsinschool Theschoolcontinuestoofferpaper-basedGrade6-8theoryexamsessions,wherethese fallduringtermtime

ENSEMBLESANDREHEARSALS

Ensemblesandinstrumentclasses

AllfirststudykeyboardplayersattendaweeklyPianoClass;singershaveoneortwoweeklyvoiceclasses; composershaveweeklyseminars;chambermusicisorganisedbothwithinandoutsidetheschooltimetable Orchestralplayerswillplayinoneormoreoftheschoolensemblesandorchestras,andtheserehearseonceor twiceweekly;therearealsomoreintensivecoursesoccasionally,dependingontheconcertprogramme.Jazz,pop andcommercialbandsalsorehearseeveryweek ThereisaChamberChoir,aJuniorChoir,aSixthFormChoirand furtheropportunitiesforchoralsingingwithinandoutsidethetimetable

Rehearsals

Mostrehearsalstakeplaceduringtheschoolday,whichendsat3.40pmforyears7-8andat5pmforeveryoneelse. However,thereisanhourbetween5pmand6pmwhichmaybeusedforensemblesandforextrarehearsalsclose toconcerts.Boardersareencouragedtoarrangetheirowninformalmusicalactivitiesintheevening.

Studentsshouldarriveateveryrehearsalontime,withinstrumentandmusicifrequired,andwithapencil Ifa studenthasaclashwithanotherrehearsal,instrumentallessonorotherevent,theyshouldspeaktothemember ofstaffinchargeoftherehearsalwellinadvance

Ifastudentisnotneededforarehearsalforanyreasonandhasnootherscheduledcommitments,thisistimefor practice,home-work,readingorlistening–studentsareexpectedtousethetimeprofitably

SOMEKEYDATES2023-24

Lastyearwedidover250publicconcerts,sothefollowinglistisfarfromcompleteatthetimeofwriting Detailsof allconcertsareontheschoolwebsite

DATE EVENT

Thursday28th&Saturday30thSeptember

daytime HatfieldHouseChamberMusicFestival:SchoolsandFamily Concerts

Sunday8thOctober,10am-1pm

OpenMorning

Wednesday11thOctober7pm RobinHolloway80thBirthdayConcert,CPHall

Monday20thNovember730pm OrchestralConcert,StJohnʼsSmithSquare

Tuesday21stNovember1pm OrchestralConcert,RoyalBirminghamConservatoire

Wednesday29thNovember730pm Prize-WinnersʼSoloRecitals,WigmoreHall

Wednesday6thDecember7pm WinterJazzConcert,CPHall

Tuesday9thJanuary5pm ChamberChoirEvensong,StAlbansAbbey

Wednesday24thJanuary

PaulBambroughPlaysBachʼsGoldbergVariations

Sunday4thFebruary10am-1pm OpenMorning

Sunday4thFebruary4pm PianoDepartmentPresentsAlumniandCurrentStudents, OctagonMusicClub,Watford

Wednesday7thFebruary1pm SchubertStringQuintetinCMajor,LeedsConservatoire

Thursday8thFebruary1pm ChamberMusicLunchtimeConcert,BarberInstitute, UniversityofBirmingham

Monday12thFebruary7pm

OrchestralConcertwithOrionOrchestra,StJohnʼsSmith Square

Wednesday28thFebruary1pm LunchtimeConcert,WigmoreHall

Friday22ndMarch730pm ChamberMusicRecital,SouthHillPark

Sunday24thMarch6pm SeniorConcertoCompetitionFinal,CPHall

Tuesday16thApril5pm ChamberChoirEvensong,StAlbans

Sunday21stApril4pm MendelssohnOctet,OctagonMusicSociety,Watford

Sunday28thApril RadlettMusicSocietyRecital,EdgeGrove

Thursday27thJune OrchestralandChoralConcert,SouthwarkCathedral

Friday5thJuly1pm SonataPrizeWinnersʼConcert,StBrideʼsFleetStreet

Forallcompetitions,therepertoireistobeproposedbytheteacherandsignedoffbyHoDandDoM Winnersof competitionswillbeprogrammed,inconsultationwithHoDsandteachers,inconcertoandrecitalopportunities thefollowingyear Studentsmayapplyformorethanonecompetition,butonlywiththeagreementoftheir teacherandHoD,andareadvisedtopickjustone *Wherethereisastipulationforrepertoirepre-1800,thisdoes notapplytoclarinets,saxophones,brass,harpsandpercussion,whoseHoDswilladvisesuitablealternatives.

MUSICPRIZES2024

SeniorPianoPrize PercussionPrize

JuniorPianoPrize JazzPrize

SecondStudyPianoPrize PopandCommercialMusicPrize

EricHoustonPrizeforStrings RanceSingingPrize

SecondStudyStringsPrize TimStevensonPrizeforComposition

JuniorStringsPrize NorthNorfolkCommunityMusicAward

WoodwindPrize DavidCoxPrizeforanoutstandingpieceofcreativework

BrassPrize CollaborativeProjectTrophy

HarpPrize RosemaryRapaportPrizeforOutstandingmusicalcontribution

AdditionalPrizes

NominationsforthesecanbemadetotheDirectorofMusicbyinstrumentalteachersandanymemberofstaff throughouttheyear,uptomidJune Nominationswillbeshortlisted,andshortlistednomineesmaybeaskedto performinlunchtimeconcertsattheendoftheyear Allshortlistnomineeswillbementionedinanawards ceremonyfinalassembly

PianoAccompanistPrizes

PianoDuoPrize

ContemporaryMusic PerformancePrize

EarlyMusicPrize

Awardedtostudentpianistswhohaveaccompaniedotherstudentsinanyof theaboveprizes,orinconcerts

Awardedforexceptionalperformancesduringtheyeartoanypianoduo(piano fourhandsortwopianos)

Awardedtoasoloperformerorchambergroupforbestperformance(s)of musicbyalivingcomposer

Awardedtoasoloperformerorchambergroupforanexceptionalhistorically informedperformanceofmusicwrittenbefore1750

APPENDIX: CHILDPROTECTION–GOODPRACTICEGUIDE

AllmusicteachersatThePurcellSchoolreceivechildprotectionaspartoftheirinduction,andthenatthreeyearly intervals Thisguideisintendedonlyasanaidememoire-itdoesnotremovetheneedforfulltraining

1 ROLESANDRESPONSIBILITIES

(a)Alladults

Alladultsinschoolhavearoletoplayinrelationto:

● Protectingchildrenfromabuse

● Promotingthewelfareofchildren

● Preventingchildrenfrombeingharmed

Thiswillincludeactingintheappropriatewayifachildoryoungpersonmakesadisclosure(seesection2)orif youfeelconcerned(seesection3)

(b)TheSchool

TheschoolisresponsibleforensuringthatallactiontakenisinlinewithHertfordshireSafeguardingChildren Partnership(HSCP)procedures Theroleoftheschoolistocontributetotheidentification,referraland assessmentofchildreninneedincludingchildrenwhomayhavesuffered,besufferingorwhoareatriskof sufferingsignificantharm.

TheroleoftheschoolinsituationswheretherearechildprotectionconcernsisNOTtoinvestigatebuttorecognise andrefer EveryschoolisrequiredtonominateaDesignatedSafeguardingLead(theDSL)whoisresponsiblefor:

● Co-ordinatingchildprotectionactionwithinschool

● Liaisingwithotheragencies

● Ensuringthatlocallyestablishedproceduresarefollowedincludingreportingandreferralprocesses.

● Actingasaconsultantforstafftodiscussconcerns

● Makingreferralsasnecessary

● Maintainingaconfidentialrecordingsystem

● Representingorensuringtheschoolisappropriatelyrepresentedatinter-agencymeetingsinparticular ChildProtectionConferences.

● Organisingtrainingforallschoolstaff

● Liaisingwithotherprofessionals.

AtThePurcellSchool,theDSLisZiggiSzafranski ThereareseveraldeputyDSLs,includingDebbieShah (Accompanist),PaulHoskins(DirectorofMusic),Sally-AnnWhitty(SENCo),TomBurns(Vice-Principal)andPaul Bambrough(Principal)

2.WHATTODOIFASTUDENTSTARTSTODISCLOSEABUSE

(a)Strategy

● Reassurethestudentthats/heisrighttotellandisnottoblame

● DONOTpromisenottotellanyoneelse;explainthatyouhavetomakesurethestudentissafeandyou mayneedtoaskotheradultstohelpyoutodothis

● DONOTquestionthestudent;lether/himtellyouwhats/hewantstotellyouandnomore;s/hemayneed tohavetodisclosetoaspecialistlater,andtoomuchdetailnowmayinterferewithlaterinvestigations

● Whenthestudentisfinished,makesures/hefeelssecure,andexplainwhatyouaregoingtodonext

● Writedownnotes,includingthedateandtimeoftheinterviewandsignthem;recordasmuchasyoucan remember,usingthestudent'sownwords

(b)RecordKeeping

Itisimportantthatrecordsarefactualandreflectthewordsusedbythestudent Opinionshouldnotbegiven unlessthereissomeformofevidencebasewhichcanalsobequoted Recordsmustbesignedanddatedwith timingsifappropriate.StaffallhavealogintoMyConcern.educationwhereallconcernsareloggedinconfidence.

Informationtoberecorded:

● Studentʼsnameanddateofbirth

● Studentinnormalcontext,eg behaviour,attitude(hastherebeenanextremechange?)

● Theincident(s)whichgivesriseforconcernwithdate(s)andtimes(s)

● Averbatimrecordofwhatthestudenthassaid

● Ifrecordingbruising/injuriesindicateposition,colour,size,shapeandtimeonbodymap.

● Actiontaken

3.WHATTODOIFYOUARECONCERNED

Concernsforastudentmaycometotheattentionofadultmembersoftheschoolcommunityinavarietyofways, forexamplethroughobservationofbehaviourorinjuriesordisclosure Veryoen,staffhaveunconfirmedworries aboutstudents,butlittlerealevidence,andsofeelunsureabouthowtoproceed Manycaseshaveshownthat theseunconfirmedworriesareinfactthetipoftheiceberg:thatiftheteacher'sinformationwereplacedalongside thatof,saytheSchoolMedicalOfficer,oraPEteacher,italladdeduptoaseriouscauseforconcern

Itisimportantthatevenvague"worries"arepassedonattheearlieststagetotheDSLteam,viatheMyConcern

4 GOODPRACTICEBYINSTRUMENTALMUSICTEACHERS

Whenteachingone-to-one,rememberthatyouareaprofessionalwhoistheretoteach:othershaveresponsibility fortheirpersonallives,andtheboundariesshouldbeclear.Teachersshouldensurethattheirrelationshipswith studentsareappropriatetothestudentʼsageandgender,andtakecaretotreatallstudentswithrespect

● Alwayssigninandouteachtimeyouvisitusingthelanyardbarcode,andwearyourlanyardatalltimes

● Keepblindsandcurtainsopen,andtrytoensurethatyoucanbeseenthroughthedoor

● Donotlockadoorfromtheinside

● Avoidaffection,favouritismordisplaysofover-friendliness

● Donotdiscussonestudentwithanother,orsharecommunicationswithparents

● Avoidinappropriatelanguageandtermsofendearment("darling","mydear","love"etc.).Nevershoutor swear–itconstitutesverbalabuse

● Theuseofinsensitive,disparagingorsarcasticcommentsisunacceptable Donotmakecommentsabout yourstudentsʼpersonalappearance,orreferinappropriatelytotheirownprivateconcerns

● Avoidphysicalcontactunlessitisessential(seebelow) Physicalrestraintshouldonlytakeplaceifitis absolutelynecessarytoprotectthestudentorothersfromsignificantharm

5 PHYSICALCONTACT

Itissometimesnecessarytomakephysicalcontactwithastudent Forexample,itcanbealoteasierforastudent tolearnhowitfeelstohaveacorrecthandshape(lehandorbowhold),howitfeelstomakeacorrectmovement (fingering,bowing,shiing,vibrato),iftheteachercanactuallytakeholdoftheappropriatepartofthehandorarm andmoulditormoveitintherightway

Touchingastudentinthiswayshouldbedoneverysparingly,andperhapsonlyasalastresort Alwaysaskthe studentfirst,forexample: “DoyoumindifIputyourfingerintherightplaceonthestring?”,“Wouldyoufindit helpfulifImovedyourarmforyoutoshowyouhowthismovementshouldfeel?” Ifyoudotouch,doitpositively andinaprofessionalmannerwithnoembarrassmentorhesitation Beawareofthelimitswithinwhichsuch contactshouldproperlytakeplace Havingmadeyourphysicaldemonstration,moveimmediatelybackoutofthe studentʼsbodyspace

Allothertouchingiscompletelyunnecessaryandinappropriate:touslinghair,pattingastudent'sback,afriendly touchorputtinganarmroundastudentcouldbemisinterpretedandleadtowrongfulaccusations

Thinkabout“bodyspace”. Rememberthat,inaone-to-onesituationwithanadult,especiallyanadultoutside theirfamily,somestudents(especiallyyoungerones)mayrequireabiggerspacearoundthemthanothers

6.HOWTORESPONDTOINAPPROPRIATEBEHAVIOURFROMASTUDENT

Anyincidentwhereyoufeelthatyouorastudentmayhavebehavedinappropriatelyorimproperlymustbe reportedimmediatelytotherelevantpersoninauthority(Principal,Vice-PrincipalorDirectorofMusic)and confirmedinwriting

Ifanyunusual,perhapsaccidental,physicalcontactoccursbetweenyouandastudent,reportitimmediatelythe lessonendsandmakeanoteoftheevents.

If,asveryoccasionallydoeshappen,astudentmakessomekindofadvancetowardsyouormakessuggestive remarks,makeitverycleartothestudentthatthiskindofbehaviourisunacceptable Theincidentmustbe reportedimmediatelytothePrincipal,Vice-PrincipalorDirectorofMusicandconfirmedinwriting

Itshouldbeborneinmindthat,inanattempttocoverupsuchanoccurrence,thestudentmaydecidetorecount theincidentathomeortofriends,ortoanotheradult,butreversingtherolessothatitisyouwhoisaccusedof makingtheadvances Rememberthatstudentshavearighttobelistenedtowhentheycomplainthatateacher hasbehavedimproperly Whilstitispossibleforstudentstoexaggerateorlie,allallegationsarerightly investigated Itisthereforeessentialthatyoufollowthestepsinthisdocument,inordertoprotectyourself

7 SEXUALOFFENCES(AMENDMENT)ACT2003

AllteachersshouldbeawarethattheSexualOffencesAct2003makesitanoffenceforthoseinapositionoftrust tohaveasexualrelationshipwithayoungpersonbetweentheagesof16and18yearswhoiscurrentlybeing caredfororeducatedbytheindividual

FURTHERADVICE

TheMusiciansʼUnion,inassociationwiththeNSPCC,hasproducedaseriesofshortvideoclips,specificallyfor instrumentalteachers,onhowtodealwithstudentprotectionissues.TheycanbefoundontheMusiciansʼUnion ʻYouTubeʼChannel(gotowwwyoutubecom/user/TheMusiciansUnionandclickʻBrowsevideosʼorfollowthis link:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB1B1F0F678120BCF)