Head of Drama in Birmingham

The King Edward VI Academy Trust Birmingham (“the Academy Trust”) was established in 2017 and is made up of the twelve academies - six selective academies and six non-selective academies. Our overarching mission is “to make Birmingham the best place to be educated in the UK”.

Heads of Department will be responsible for the teaching and performance of colleagues (if appropriate) who teach or work in their subject area.

Principle Responsibilities and Duties

• The duties in this job description are in addition to those covered by the latest School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document as well as the generic job description that applies to all teachers at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys.
• Heads of Department are expected to attend Heads of Department meetings - held, on average, twice a term.

Specific Responsibilities

Curriculum

• To establish and make explicit Departmental aims and objectives within the context of the school’s overall curricular policies; and to review, evaluate and develop the curriculum to meet these objectives.
• To be responsible for choice of syllabus, examination board, text books, teaching and learning methodology and for the production of a Departmental Handbook which meets the school guidelines.
• To liaise with the English department to fully integrate the Drama curriculum alongside the English curriculum.
• To lead on the whole-school Oracy strategy.
• To promote the Performing Arts across the school community, and promote student engagement and confidence through performance opportunities.
• To run drama clubs, workshops, or theatre trips.
• To build partnerships with local theatres or arts organisations, and encourage student participation in performances and competitions.
• To lead and manage school drama productions, including a minimum of two productions per year, liaising with the Music department as required, and lead evening or weekend performances or rehearsals.
• To be responsible for the selection, production and evaluation of appropriate teaching and learning materials.
• To promote a high standard of teaching and learning within the department.
• To monitor academic standards within the Department in order to seek the highest possible level of attainment for each pupil.
• To develop aspects of the cross-curricular themes, skills and dimensions within the work of the department, liaising with the co-ordinators as required.
• To evaluate materials and directives from the DfE and other government bodies relating to their subject.
• To be responsible for implementing the requirements of the National Curriculum and for monitoring the new systems and teaching methods which are employed for this purpose.
• To ensure the appropriate differentiation of the curriculum to meet the needs of pupils of all levels of ability and those with special educational, linguistic and medical needs.
• To promote teaching and learning styles which stimulate pupil interest and involvement in their learning.
• To contribute, as necessary, to the planning of the school timetable.

Pupils

• To establish appropriately high levels of expectation by setting down clear guidelines for high standards of behaviour and achievement with the Department, including homework policy, the careful presentation of work and care of books and equipment.
• To establish procedures for the monitoring and recording of individual pupil progress - using, where relevant, department and school tracking data.
• Where appropriate to make arrangements for the induction of pupils into the Sixth Form and to assist with pupils' choice of subjects at `A' Level and GCSE.
• To supervise the writing and issuing of department reports.
• To be responsible for the organisation of pupils into appropriate groups for teaching purposes.
• Working with Form Teachers/Heads of Year to ensure that appropriate work is set for pupils with extended absence.
• To ensure that new pupils are inducted successfully into the subject.

Assessment

• Working with the SLT to establish a departmental assessment policy within the framework of the school’s overall assessment policy and develop processes of continuous and end of year assessment that provide a clear picture of each pupil’s progress (including the use of the school academic tracking data).
• To establish processes for recording assessments and to monitor their implementation and effectiveness.
• To establish policy on entry to external examinations in accordance with that of the school.
• To forecast, record and monitor public examination results.
• To liaise with the Examinations Officer in relation to entry procedures.

Teaching Staff

• To assist with the appointment of staff within the department.
• To deploy staff within the department.
• To make detailed arrangements for the induction of newly appointed teachers; and to provide a full programme of guidance and support for teachers in their induction period.
• To promote the professional development of all teachers within the department by delivering the leadership, monitoring and evaluation of their Performance Management.
• To encourage teamwork and good morale.
• To oversee and evaluate the work of teachers within the department including: checking of exercise books, records and assessments, preparation of reports on newly qualified teachers and lesson observations at least annually of all teachers in the department.
• To establish an effective structure for departmental consultation, communication and evaluation including meetings and working parties as appropriate.
• To encourage members of the department to contribute to the development of department policies and procedures.
• To set work for classes in their department if an absent teacher is unable to set work.
• To support members of the department experiencing difficulty with attitude, behaviour or progress of a pupil in their class.

Resources and Accommodation

• To establish and maintain through forward planning appropriate resources for the department and produce costed priorities for the annual department capitation bid.
• To record and control departmental expenditure within the annual budget allocation.
• To allocate resources and accommodation within the department to meet curriculum objectives.
• To make arrangements for recording and checking of stock.
• To lay down standards for the proper care of accommodation, furniture and equipment and to enhance the learning environment through the effective display of pupils’ work and other materials.

Community Responsibilities

• To ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff within the department.
• To ensure effective dialogue with parents in accordance with school policies.
• To liaise with external agencies and employers as necessary.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitor and evaluate the quality of subject teaching and learning.
• The Head of Department will normally be the team leader responsible for the annual appraisal of members of his/her department and for the agreeing of targets for members of their department (using school guidelines).
• Undertake regular observation of subject teachers.
• Monitor the work of the subject through work scrutiny, interviews with pupils, evaluation of internal examination results, coursework moderation.
• Regularly review and update subject schemes of work with subject teachers.
• Develop, monitor and evaluate assessment, recording and reporting procedures in line with school policies and statutory requirements.
• Develop, monitor and evaluate internal and external assessments.
• Monitor and evaluate the use of the subject budget, resources and accommodation.
• Produce an annual report for the review meeting with the SMT and update annually the department Self Evaluation Form and department Gifted and Talented Self Evaluation Form.

Annual Review

• Autumn: To produce an annual report on examination results and student attainment at KS3, GCSE, AS and A Level to be discussed with Headmaster/Deputy Head during the Autumn term. This report will include a self-evaluation and plan for department development.
• Autumn/Spring: To review quality of teaching and learning in subject areas annually by observation, regular departmental meetings and sampling of pupil.
• Spring/Summer: To review academic, human, physical and financial progress and needs of the department on an annual basis.

The post holder will also be expected to comply with any reasonable request from the Deputy Head Curriculum or Headmaster to undertake work of a similar level not specified in this job description.

To develop a clear understanding of the Academy Trust’s vision, mission and strategic aims and to actively support these.

To remain up to date with the Academy Trust’s policies, procedures and code of conduct and always uphold these.

To identify and undertake relevant training to enable continuing professional development, where resources allow.

To prepare for and proactively engage in the performance review cycle with your line manager.

To attend appropriate internal and external meetings, as directed by your line manager.

To undertake such other duties as are agreed as being in keeping with the general nature of the job and its grade.

The successful candidate will be required to fulfil an enhanced DBS check.

This job description reflects the current requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop due to changes in organisational and other circumstances, so the actual duties and responsibilities will vary from the particulars of this job description. Job descriptions will be updated or amended from time to time to reflect such changes.

Person Specification

Essential

• A good honours degree in Drama, Theatre Studies or a closely related subject.
• Successful experience teaching Drama across KS3-KS4 and ideally KS5.
• Evidence of raising attainment and progress within Drama or English more broadly.
• Experience of leading others, such as a subject team, key stage, or initiatives within a department.
• In-depth knowledge of the National Curriculum for Drama and English.
• Understanding of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework and its implications for curriculum, teaching, and outcomes.
• Proven ability to analyse data to inform teaching, intervention, and departmental planning.
• Ability to inspire and motivate both students and colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience of line managing staff or contributing to performance management.
• Involvement in whole-school responsibilities (e.g. teaching and learning, CPD, or safeguarding).
• Experience of working with external stakeholders (e.g. exam boards, performing arts partnerships, or outreach programmes).
• Awareness of developments in Drama education and enrichment opportunities.
• Knowledge of school improvement planning and self-evaluation processes.
• Experience of leading whole school productions including Musicals.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England or equivalent.
• Degree Level Qualification (relevant to the subject being taught + Secondary PGCE or QTS Qualification for the Secondary Phase.

Desirable

• A postgraduate qualification (e.g., MSc, MA, MEd) in Drama, Performing Arts, Education, or Leadership.
• Completion or enrolment in a leadership development programme (e.g., NPQML, NPQSL, or similar).
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in subject knowledge and/or leadership.

Competencies

• Building capacity.
• Creativity.
• Influencing and persuading.
• Acting on integrity.
• Delivering at pace.
• Delivering quality.
• Team focussed.
• Coaching management style.
• Proactivity.
• Flexibility.
• Reliable and adaptable.
• Enthusiasm and passion.
• Resilience.
• Willing to participate in the wider aspects of school life.