Head of Dance

Career Opportunity (M1-UPS3 teachers)

Do you have a passion for Dance? A Quality nominee, even better but not essential! Ambitious, forward-thinking, flexible and self-motivated? Here is a rare opportunity to join a Performing Arts department as Head of Dance.

We are seeking a highly skilled and passionate individual to join our school as the Head of Dance. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and managing the dance department, developing and implementing dance showcases, and fostering a creative and inclusive environment for dancers of all levels. KS4 experience is a must and KS5 knowledge is desired. 

Our Performing Arts Department

The department is made up of dedicated, passionate and talented teachers who specialise in Dance, Drama and Music. 

Our aim is to celebrate the talents of our students and inspire a love of learning through the arts. We offer an inclusive curriculum in our specialist facilities that focus on the key components of creating, performing and appreciation. Students study Dance in KS3 on rotation with Drama and Music and have the option in KS4 to choose GCSE Dance. Previously students have studied BTEC Tech Award Level 2 Performing Arts in Dance, with 100% pass results ranging from Level 2 Distinction* to Level 2 Pass. There is huge potential to maximise use of our spaces including a purpose-built dance studio, 3 drama studios, an auditorium fitted with a full lighting rig and state of the art sound system, 2 fully equipped music technology suites, a recording studio, fully equipped music practice rooms and an outdoor amphitheatre. The co-curricular programme for Performing Arts is built on offering all students a variety of opportunities to learn and develop new skills. These include students participating in the annual Performing Arts showcase and whole school musical production, as well as clubs such as Arts Award, Step into Dance, ‘Theatre Makers’ and peripatetic music lessons.

We work as a team to ensure students receive experiences in a range of disciplines and continue to build connections with local and specialist organisations such as the Royal Academy of Dance, Trinity College (Arts Award) and Croydon Music and Arts. If you can offer expertise, energy and enthusiasm we will welcome you to our team, to help us build our future reputation.

We welcome applications from staff who have proven examination success both at GCSE and A Level and can continue to lead and inspire the Department.

Leading and co-ordinating activities relating to leading Dance, to include:

1. To oversee the day to day running of Dance and promote excellent teaching so that all pupils  achieve their potential within an atmosphere in which students feel challenged, valued and secure.
2. Developing, monitoring, reviewing, evaluating effectiveness of and reporting on policy, action plans and practice.
3. Planning and managing associated resources/teaching materials, teaching programmes, courses of study, methods of teaching and progress.
4. To be responsible for securing the highest standards of pupil achievement, through monitoring and evaluation of pupil progress and setting targets for improvement.
5. To lead and support the team of staff who deliver Dance lessons and those with responsibility for Careers and Citizenship.
6. To lead, develop and enhance the teaching practice of others in Dance by providing CPD and evaluating, supporting, guiding and target setting.
7. Support the development of the  Inclusive and Nurturing Schools programme  and liaise with colleagues to promote equality of opportunity and diversity effectively.
8. Work alongside other colleagues to develop opportunities for active citizenship, student volunteering and community contribution.
9. To be accountable for the strategic leadership and management of Dance 

Ethos 

Our ethos derives from the theoretical and practical nature of sport with TEAMWORK, RESPECT, ENJOYMENT, DISCIPLINE and SPORTSMANSHIP as its core values. All staff are expected to demonstrate and support these in their everyday work. Coombe Wood School teaching and non-teaching staff will work closely together across many different areas of the school to ensure the best possible learning experiences for our students.

Coombe Wood School is part of Folio Education Trust: http://www.folio-education.co.uk/. This is a local collaboration of schools, with future possibilities of shared training or working at more than one school, so by becoming part of the team at Coombe Wood School, your career will experience wider benefits.

Location

Serving the communities of South and Central Croydon, this fully-inclusive secondary co-educational school was established in 2018 to meet an urgent rising local demand. The school is situated opposite Lloyd Park in South Croydon, with an excellent Tramlink service to and from East Croydon station (just 5 minutes’ journey-time away) and a short walk from several bus routes. Over £35 million has been invested in our state-of-the-art school, including enhanced sports and performing arts facilities, comprising a competition-sized sports hall, a full-size 3G artificial surface, sprung dance floor studios, music rooms and a recording studio. 

Application Procedure

Please download the job description, candidate pack and application form or visit http://www.cws-croydon.co.uk/Career-Opportunities  

For enquiries relating to the role, please contact careers@cws.foliotrust.uk 

Please email your completed applications to careers@cws.foliotrust.uk   in compliance with safer recruitment guidelines CVs will not be accepted.

Closing Date:         Sunday 14th April 2024

Interview Date:    To be confirmed

Safeguarding: Folio Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  The recruitment process will include an enhanced DBS check, medical screening, confirmation of right to work in the UK and all other pre-employment checks in line with safer recruitment requirements.

The Candidate Privacy Notice (“Privacy Notice”) is published on our web site www.folio-education.co.uk

Equal Opportunities

At Folio Education Trust, we believe that all individuals are of equal value and we are committed to equal opportunities for all. All people who work and study in the school have the right to be respected and valued within a safe and secure environment and not to be discriminated against on the grounds of age, class, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief.