Head of Drama

At Ark Elvin Academy we are working hard to give all our pupils an excellent education and are looking for committed teachers and support staff to join us at this exciting stage in our school improvement journey. Our team of enthusiastic, high expectations staff are doing what it takes to rapidly improve our school and deliver the outstanding education our community needs and deserves. We are deeply committed to our mission:

“To ensure that every pupil leaves Elvin confident, articulate, and culturally aware; able to pursue careers they are passionate about, contribute to society and live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives.” 

In our recent OFSTED inspection (October 2019) it was recognised that Ark Elvin Academy:

“Pupils, parents and staff all agree that Ark Elvin Academy has improved out of all recognition. Pupils are proud of the school.”

“The headteacher and leaders have very high expectations…… Staff want all pupils to succeed in every area of their lives, not just academically.” 

“The school is a calm, safe and supportive place for pupils. Pupils behave very well in lessons. They get on well with one another and with adults. At breaktimes the atmosphere in social areas is friendly. Pupils say they feel safe and bullying is not a problem. If there is any, it is dealt with quickly.”

We are a large non-selective secondary school in the London borough of Brent, with excellent transport links to central London.  We are committed to ensuring teachers can focus on teaching and have the opportunity to refine and develop their practice in the classroom and develop their leadership skills, we have: 

• twice as many training days as is standard 

• weekly professional development for all staff

In recruiting for our Head of Drama we are seeking the following from applicants: 

• A commitment to our school improvement process  

• A growth mindset  

• High standards of professionalism and courteousness  

• The potential to be an exceptional leader  

You will become part of a close knit professional community of enthusiastic colleagues who benefit from the training, guidance and support from both the Ark network, one of the country’s top performing school groups and our North London region of schools where we work closely with four outstanding schools; Ark John Keats Academy, King Solomon Academy, Ark Academy and Isaac Newman Academy.

Job Description: Head of Drama

Reports to: Assistant Principal 

The Role  

Reporting to the Assistant Principal, the Head of Department is responsible for developing and leading an exciting curriculum which enables the highest level of pupil progress and attainment.  The role involves managing the professional community of Drama teachers to ensure high attainment and to develop a love of learning in all pupils.  The Head of Drama will be a member of a strong middle leadership team, making a significant contribution to the quality of learning and teaching across the academy, supporting our school improvement.   

Key responsibilities  

The full remit of the post will be negotiated dependent on the skills and experience of the candidate appointed. Specific responsibilities are subject to change.  

The Subject Leader will take responsibility for the following specific roles within their wider role as a middle leader of the school:  

• Coordinate Drama across the academy 
• Lead the professional community of Drama teachers 
• Plan, resource and teach Drama lessons and sequences of lessons to the highest standard that ensure real learning takes place and pupils make excellent progress 
• Provide a nurturing classroom and academy environment that helps pupils to develop as learners 
• Help to maintain discipline across the whole academy 
• Contribute to the effective working of the academy 

Academy Culture 

• To support the academy’s values and ethos by contributing to the development and implementation of policies, practices and procedures 
• To help create a strong academy community, characterised by consistent, orderly behaviour and caring, respectful relationships 
• To help develop a school/department culture and ethos that is utterly committed to achievement and good discipline 
• To be alert and active on issues relating to pupil welfare and child protection 
• To support and work in collaboration with colleagues and other professionals in and beyond the school, covering lessons and providing other support as required. 

Other 

• To undertake , and when required, deliver or be part of the appraisal system and relevant training and professional development 
• To undertake, within reason, other various responsibilities as directed by the Head of Department or Principal.