Part of the portfolio of 43 music hubs nationally, the Octagon Music Hub for Dorset & Somerset is led by Somerset Council, working with colleagues across a consortium partnership, including both local authorities’ music teams, education teams and the Octagon Theatre.
Hub Lead Organisations (HLO) work with the community of schools, partners and members of the workforce to support all children and young people across and area to learn to sing, play an instrument and create music together, and have the opportunity to progress their talents.
The Strategic Board is responsible for overseeing the work of the HLO, providing support and scrutiny of their work and ensure its in accordance with the National Plan for Music Education. This will involved approving key documents and decisions, and providing critical support and challenge in response to risks to the HLO’s performance against Arts Council England’s expectations of hubs.
We are recruiting representatives from the following groups, joining Councillors, Senior Leaders and Officers from both Dorset and Somerset authorities, to make up the diverse Board membership reflecting needs and interests of the communities we serve.
- Early Years – setting representatives or EY music practitioner
- Primary Education – School Leadership, Music Subject Lead or class teacher
- Secondary Education – School Leadership or Music Subject Lead
- SEND – specialist teacher/practitioner or School Leadership
- Alternative Provision and/or Learning Centres & PRUs – Practitioners, teachers, experienced music leader or setting leadership.
- Further or Higher Education – Music Lead, Leadership or experienced practitioner
- Music Industry Professional and/or contemporary/digital music specialist
- Parent representative or youth focused organisation – bringing perspectives from young people & families
- Hub Partner & Community organisations representatives.
Suitable candidates will be able to demonstrate:
- An enthusiastic and forward-thinking mindset, and being open to new ideas and possibilities
- A strong commitment to, and understanding of, the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and a commitment to musical and creative learning opportunities being accessible to all children and young people
- A passion and knowledge of music and/or the wider arts, and the importance of cultural activity in the lives of children and families;
- A knowledge of/commitment to develop a knowledge of the ‘National Plan for Music Education 2022’ in action, and commitment to its ambition, vision and aims.
APPLICATION
To apply please e-mail your expression of interest of no more than 500 words, or a video of no longer than 2 minutes*:
- stating which target group/s you represent;
- explaining why the role of Board Member is of interest;
- detailing your previous experience, and
- explaining how you consider yourself to have the necessary skills and attributes to fulfil this role.
Please e-mail your letter or application video to Gayle Smith gayle.smith@somerset.gov.uk.
CVs can be attached to your letter in support of your application.
The closing date for applications is 5pm Monday 4th November 2024
Please note the first meeting is currently set for Wednesday 20th November at 3.30pm – subject to confirmation
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
All Board representatives are voluntary positions. A Board members’ term of appointment will run for up to 3 years with an opportunity to be reappointed. As the Hub Board will not be constituted, it does not have a legal status, so the all roles are advisory and ambassadorial.
EQUALITY STATEMENT
We are proud to be here for the people of Somerset & Dorset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve. We therefore welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there is anything you wish to talk about before you apply.