Head of Drama

This post offers an exciting opportunity to join an enthusiastic staff and very supportive department whose members are committed to making a real difference. The school was last fully inspected by Ofsted in May 2011 and we were awarded Outstanding.We are very proud of our achievements and for the last 4 years we have been congratulated by the Minister of State for Schools on our achievements at GCSE level placing us in the top 100 non-selective state-funded schools in England. In addition, we were in the top 100 for pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate. We have also regularly been in the top 10% nationally (out of over 2,500 schools and colleges) for our A level performance assessed by ALPS.  We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to help us to ensure that in every way Bullers Wood remains an outstanding school at our next Ofsted inspection, and that every one of our students achieves and exceeds both their targets and expectations.

The Drama department consists of 3 experienced members of specialist staff and is supported by staff from other departments in the teaching of KS3. Drama is a popular subject with high numbers opting to take the subject at GCSE and A Level and participate in LAMDA examinations.  We also have a high involvement of students across the school participating in extra-curricular activities led by the department. The Drama department has collectively worked very hard alongside students and parents to obtain outstanding results.  All Drama staff teach across the age and ability range in Key Stage 3 and 4 and are given the opportunity to teach at sixth form level if suitably qualified and when the opportunity arises.  The extra-curricular programme is shared between the department staff. 

As Head of Drama responsibilities as leader of the department include:

Make judgements about standards of students’ achievement, rate of progress and personal development

Analyse and interpret data on students’ achievement in the subject and ensure student performance data is used effectively and is in line with departmental targets

Review with teachers their assessments of progress for classes

Oversee the setting of students into appropriate ability groups

Sample students’ work 

Moderate and review judgements about standards, including coursework 

Discuss work, progress and attitudes with sample groups of students 

Ensure procedures for both internal and external exams are carried out according to the School’s procedures and the Boards’ regulations as appropriate.  Evaluate teaching and learning

Be accountable for the quality of the teaching of the subject

Systematically observe colleagues teaching and review teaching and learning methods within the department to ensure they meet the needs of all students

Provide feedback on observations to colleagues

Monitor and review the planning of Drama teaching

Keep abreast of current initiatives by regular review.

Review schemes of work annually and amend where necessary to ensure they focus on effective teaching and learning

Ensure the Departmental Assessment, Recording and Reporting Policy is in line with School Policy and is adhered to by all departmental staff.

Support staff with student behaviour issues

Maintain a comprehensive view of departmental resources, to ensure that they are available to meet curriculum needs.  Lead sustainable improvement

Arrange, conduct and keep records of departmental meetings and lead the department in discussion about best practice and priorities for the subject

Lead the review, construction and resourcing of the curriculum 

Set targets for raising student attainment in the context of whole school targets

Work with colleagues to organise appropriate intervention to address under-performance

Develop and communicate a strategy for the improvement of the subject

Take responsibility for organising departmental INSET time as well as monitoring the INSET needs of all members of the department

Create the capacity for change and inspire and enthuse colleagues by personal example (i.e. acting as a role model by maintaining a positive outlook and demonstrating sympathetic and focused support). 

Lead the improvement of teaching quality and encourage teachers to review and improve on their practice 

Contribute to the creation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the School Improvement Plan as it affects the department