Head of Drama

Title: Head of Drama

Apply by: 8am, Thursday, 30th March 2023

Salary: Inner London (competitive salary based on experience and skills) + TLR

Start date: September 2023

Location: Stratford, Newham

Contract: Permanent, full-time, subject to an enhanced DBS check

Drama Vision Statement

To promote and deliver a drama education for the 21st century, where craft is the vehicle for exploring the self & human behaviour, as well as creating access to professional pathways in drama so that students can be innovators and changemakers in the field.

This is your chance to join one of the most pioneering schools in the country. We do not see drama as an add on or a luxury but central to the culture and lifeblood of the whole school. From the moment we turned assemblies into participative workshops in the round, School 21 has used drama techniques and insights to help shape the well-being and growth of every child. In combination with our unique oracy curriculum and approaches, drama has a special place at School 21, and experiential learning has become the crucial counterpart to stretching pupils’ cognition. This is your chance to-lead a department of skilled practitioners and take the teaching of drama to the next level.

School 21 is an all-through school and your role will offer the opportunity to teach in the upper primary school, the secondary school and lead the development of pathways into a thriving post 16 offer. The successful candidate will have a track record of guiding creative processes and achieving beautiful work. The candidate would have a strong subject knowledge and well developed skills in text, genre and ensemble work as well as using drama to develop the well-being and self-reflection of students.

We believe the teaching of drama should support students to think independently and to develop their own creative confidence as a means to making a difference to the world. Creating beautiful and expressive work is a key feature of School 21 as a whole and therefore we are looking for a highly collaborative individual who is passionate about spreading the use of creative arts approaches across the curriculum.

School 21 is a very special and different kind of place to work in. All of us are striving to become innovators (rethinking key aspects of education practice), multipliers (growing others and building teams), craftspeople (who think deeply about their practice) and people with integrity and humanity (driven by a strong sense of values and purpose). This is what we are looking for in new members of staff.  We empower staff to find their voice and their creativity.  We offer collaboration and learning across ages and subjects. We believe strongly in developing the full potential of all staff.

Since we opened in 2012 we have put learning and teaching at the heart of everything we do. We have developed a unique approach to oracy including setting up a charity, Voice 21 (https://www.voice21.org/) which is already working with several hundred schools. We have also pioneered real world, interdisciplinary learning in collaboration with a network of extraordinary organisations: creative, artistic, high tech, professional.

School 21 has built strong foundations in a short period of time, confirmed by our Ofsted which was outstanding in all categories. There was strong recognition for the ethos and approach of the school:

"Pupils across the school make exceptional progress."

"Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning, impeccable manners and show respect for everyone.”

“Staff morale is exceptionally high. Teachers at the early stages of their career value the ‘fantastic’ professional development and opportunities to learn from each other. Those with more experience said that they have become much better teachers since joining the school.”

Through project-based learning "pupils achieve remarkable standards of work and demonstrated knowledge and skills at levels beyond those expected for their age group."

“Pupils talk and discuss with a maturity and confidence that is remarkable for their years."

The successful candidate will be:

• An experienced Head of Department with a strong track record
• An excellent classroom and pastoral practitioner
• Someone with the ability and drive to lead a team
• Someone who is keen to develop and promote educational & professional pathways in Drama
• A creative and deep thinker about pedagogy
• Interested in the growth of every child – head, heart and hand
• A strong team player who believes in the power of collaboration
• Someone who can build partnerships with organisations and community

ABOUT SCHOOL 21:

• 4 to 18 mixed, inclusive school in the heart of Stratford, Newham
• Cutting edge pedagogy and curriculum
• We have plans to set up two new schools in close proximity to School 21 which will give staff more opportunities to grow and develop

WE OFFER:

• Exceptional CPD
• The chance to network with outstanding practitioners and learn from the best
• Collaborative working across the 4 to 18 school

For more information see: www.school21.org.uk or e-mail Samina

Aktar, HR and Projects Officer, at careers@school21.org.uk.

To apply: Please visit the careers pages at www.school21.org.uk and complete an online application form or alternatively click here.

School 21 is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.