Job Summary
Are you an ambitious Drama specialist ready to take the next step in your career, or a current Deputy or Head of Department seeking a new challenge? This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced educator with a proven track record in teaching Drama and curriculum development, whose flair for the subject is matched by a drive to shape the strategic direction of the department and deliver outstanding outcomes for students.
As Head of Department, you will play a pivotal role in leading, developing, and supporting a talented team, ensuring the highest standards of teaching and learning across all key stages. If you are passionate about Drama education and ready to make a significant impact, we would love to hear from you.
Job Purpose:
* Actively supporting the vision and values of Park High School, the post holder will work to provide professional leadership and management for the performing arts department, ensuring the faculty delivers high quality teaching, effectively using the resources available and aiming to raise standards of learning and achievement for all students.
* To implement and deliver an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students and to support a designated curriculum area as appropriate
* To monitor and support the overall progress and development of students as Head of Department.
* To facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with opportunities to achieve their individual potential.
* To contribute to raising standards of student attainment.
* To share and support the school's responsibility to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth.
Responsibilities
Strategic direction and development of the Drama Department
* To have an enthusiasm for drama which motivates and supports other subject staff and encourages a shared understanding of the contribution the subject can make to all aspects of students' lives.
* To raise the profile of the subject, both within school through extracurricular events (clubs, competitions and a calendar of performances) and through outreach work to local primary schools for example.
* Develop and implement policies and practices for the department which reflect the school's commitment to high achievement through effective teaching and learning.
* Ensure that staff are clear about the importance and role of the Head of Department in contributing to students' spiritual moral, cultural, mental and physical development, and in preparing students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
* Use data effectively to identify students who are underachieving in the subject within the department and, where necessary, create and implement effective plans of action to support those students.
* Analyse and interpret relevant national, local and school data, plus research and inspection evidence, to inform policies, practices, expectations, targets and teaching methods.
To involve all department colleagues in the creation and execution of the yearly Department Development Plan and Review. This will establish clear development and maintenance targets aligned with the SDP. These targets will:
* be informed by a range of comparative data and evidence, including student attainment;
* set realistic yet challenging goals for departmental improvement;
* be clearly understood by all staff responsible for implementation;
* specify required actions, timelines, and success criteria;
* monitor progress against departmental plans and evaluate the impact on teaching and learning to inform further improvement;
* be regularly reviewed, with ongoing updates provided to the SLT link to ensure full visibility of progress, successes, and emerging concerns.
Teaching and Learning:
To monitor and evaluate the department's specification and schemes of work within the department.
* To engage all department staff in the creation, consistent implementation and improvement of the schemes of work.
* To ensure curriculum coverage, continuity and progression in the subjects within the department for all students, including those of high ability and those with special educational or linguistic needs.
* To ensure that examinations or other suitable methods of assessment are devised and applied at appropriate times. To ensure that all tests, examinations and assessments are based on the department's specification and marked according to a scheme common to the whole year group.
* To initiate and, where appropriate, organise curricular, extra-curricular and educational enhancement activities related to the department.
* To ensure effective development of students' literacy, numeracy and information technology skills through the subject.
* To establish and implement clear policies and practices for assessing, recording and reporting on student achievement, and for using this information to recognise achievement and to assist students in setting targets for further improvement.
* To ensure that information about students' achievements in previous classes and schools is used effectively to secure good progress in the subject.
* To set expectations and targets for staff and students and establish clear targets for student achievement and evaluate progress and achievement in the subject by all students, including those with special educational and linguistic needs.
* To evaluate the teaching of the subject within the department in the school, use this analysis to identify effective practice and areas for improvement, and take action to improve further the quality of teaching.
* To use a variety of methods to monitor and evaluate the teaching and learning offered by the subject staff and take appropriate action to improve further the quality of teaching and learning.
* To provide quality assurance monitoring and intervention with all department staff.
* To monitor progress and evaluate the effects of any improvement strategies on teaching and learning by working alongside subject staff, analysing work and outcomes.
* To provide regular feedback to the SLT link to help the school evaluate its practice.
* To assist the SLT link in the regular review of the standards of leadership, teaching and learning in the subject area.
* To ensure that department staff are aware of the implications of equality of opportunity which the subject raises.
Leading and Managing Staff:
* Help staff to achieve constructive working relationships with students.
* Establish clear expectations and constructive working relationships among staff involved within the department, including through team working and mutual support; devolving responsibilities and delegating tasks, as appropriate; evaluating practice; and developing an acceptance of accountability.
* To be responsible for inducting ECTs and new staff.
• To participate in Performance Development as required by the school policy and use the process to develop the personal and professional effectiveness of the staff.
* To act as a Performance Development mentor for identified teachers.
* To ensure the Performance Development arrangements are effectively discharged by the other members in the department.
* Lead professional development of subject staff through example and support, and co- ordinate the provision of high quality professional development by methods such as coaching, drawing on other sources of expertise as necessary, for example, higher education, LEAs, subject associations.
* Work with the Head of Learning Development, SENDCO and any other staff with special educational needs expertise, to ensure that individual education plans are used to set subject- specific targets and match work well to students' needs.
* Ensure that the headteacher, SLT members and governors are well informed about department policies, plans and priorities, the success in meeting objectives and targets, and subject-related professional development plans.
* To monitor and evaluate the contribution and impact of Support Staff.
* Take initial responsibility for the pastoral care and welfare of all department staff.
Personal Responsibilities:
* To play a full part in the life of the school community, to support its distinctive mission and ethos and to encourage staff and students to follow this example.
* To support the school in meeting its legal requirements for worship.
* To actively promote school policies and procedures.
* To be responsible for own continued professional development.
* To comply with the school's Health & Safety Policy and undertake risk assessments as appropriate.
* To be courteous to colleagues, visitors and telephone callers and provide a welcoming environment.
* To undertake duties at break times.
* To attend meetings scheduled in the school calendar punctually.
* To set cover work during any leave of absence.
* To adhere to the school's Safeguarding Policy.
Person Specification:
We will be looking for the following:
* Appropriate academic qualifications (to degree level), QTS and the ability to lead and manage Drama throughout the school.
* Proven experience of successfully leading initiatives and improvements which had measurable impact on standards.
* Successful experience as a teacher of Drama in a current post or during teaching practices and both the ability and drive to develop further.
* Experience of driving forwards and achieving very high standards and challenging existing practices and levels of performance.
* A good understanding of the Drama curriculum and the changes in GCE/GCSE assessment frameworks and vocational qualifications.
* The ability to work and learn in a collaborative, innovative team with high standards, committed to raising expectations and achievement of all students.
* Evidence of excellent communication and organisational skills.
* The willingness to teach a second subject if required.
* Ability to actively contribute to the strategic development of the school.
* Evidence of being able to build and sustain effective working relationships with staff, governors, parents and the wider community.
* The ability to contribute to the wider work of the school, including our work as tutors and other activities.
* Flexibility and adaptability, in order to be able to mix and work with a wide range of people and a commitment to equality and diversity.
* A commitment to professional development.
* To be alert and active on issues relating to student welfare and child protection.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £37,869.00-£56,153.00 per year
Benefits:
* Canteen
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Discounted or free food
* Free flu jabs
* Health & wellbeing programme
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Work Location: In person