Head of Creative Arts (teaching Music)

Heathcote School (11 – 18) has an ambitious vision and plans to provide the best possible local education for young people in Waltham Forest. We are determined to continue to improve the life-chances of our most vulnerable pupils. As an inclusive school we thrive for all pupils to reach their full potential and embracing diversity is one of our key strengths. Heathcote has undergone a successful transformational journey over the last 5 years and key performance indicators are strong in many areas, including being over-subscribed for the first time in Year 7 for 2022. External reviews in 2021 have highlighted our ‘clear positive vision’ and ‘significant safeguarding strengths.’ This is an exciting time to be at a school in an impressive setting. Staff feedback is very positive about working in our school.

We are seeking to appoint an innovative, solution focused and inspirational Department Lead for Creative Arts with ability to teach Music, to the full ability range, including GCSE. You will play a key role in the progressive development of the Creative Arts Faculty (Music, Art and Drama/Dance) who are committed to ensuring outstanding participation and progress and for pupils to have a wide range of opportunities to experience and succeed in creative pursuits, such as trips to concerts, peri music lessons, a school production, school choir, as well as being part of the Connections National Theatre project. You will lead on continuing to develop the vision for music and music technology in the school and ensuring our pupils have every opportunity to reach success at school and beyond. In the department you will oversee a Drama Teacher, Dance Teacher and two Art Teachers as well as a Music and Drama specialist technician.

The school puts well-being and development at the heart of its work, and we have very talented staff who are encouraged to grow and develop collaboratively, within school and with local schools, to be the best they can be. We are working to raise standards in a ‘high challenge, low threat’ way and enable robust systems which ensure consistency in all areas and encourage growth and development for all. We are part of the North East London School Teaching Hub, Seven Kings Teaching Alliance, and the West Essex Teaching School Alliance. The school has excellent resources and an impressive, spacious site on the edge of Epping Forest including a staff car park and surrounding roads that do not require a parking permit. We are also a 15-minute walk from Chingford Station which has great links into the City.

We aim to ensure our staff body reflects the diversity of our community and use blind-recruitment processes in our short-listing. We employ staff with diverse skills and backgrounds and this ensures that our policies and systems are always inclusive of all our stakeholders. We value and respect everyone’s identity and our Equality Information and Objectives Policy confirms our commitment to the 2010 Equalities Act.

If you are interested, please look at our school website www.heathcoteschool.com where you will find application forms and further information. Please do phone or email the HR Manager if interested 02084985110.

Completed application forms should be emailed to recruitment@heathcote.waltham.sch.uk.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 9am on Wednesday 9th June 2023

Interview process to be held: TBC

Please note: applications will be considered as they are received and we reserve the right to close this position before the date specified above. We therefore urge candidates to submit an application as soon as possible. 

Heathcote School is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS Disclosure.