Curriculum Leader of Drama

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading is seeking to appoint a committed and ambitious Curriculum Leader of Drama to provide strategic and operational leadership for Drama across the school. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled Drama specialist who is ready to lead curriculum development, secure high-quality teaching and learning, and ensure students experience an ambitious, well-sequenced and inclusive Drama curriculum.

The successful candidate will lead the development, implementation and evaluation of the Drama curriculum, support strong student progress and outcomes, and contribute to wider whole-school curriculum development. They will line-manage the Drama team and play an active role in monitoring, evaluation, staff development and departmental improvement. The role includes responsibility for the effective management and monitoring of the Drama departmental budget and may involve contributing to cross-school or cross-Trust curriculum development and delivery.

• Lead the development and implementation of an ambitious, well-sequenced Drama curriculum aligned with school and Trust priorities.
• Secure consistently high-quality teaching across the department through modelling, coaching and support.
• Monitor and evaluate teaching, learning, curriculum impact and student performance data.
• Ensure assessment across all key stages is accurate, consistent and supports student progress.
• Implement timely interventions to address underperformance and close attainment gaps.
• Support all students, including disadvantaged students, those with SEND, the most able and students who are not yet fluent readers.
• Line-manage, develop and appraise colleagues to improve professional practice and team performance.
• Promote high standards of behaviour, engagement, attendance, punctuality and student wellbeing.
• Provide enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities to enhance students’ learning experience.
• Contribute to whole-school curriculum design, development planning, CPD and wider improvement priorities.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, statutory requirements and relevant school and Trust policies.

• A good quality honours degree.
• PGCE, or equivalent, in secondary education.
• Qualified Teacher Status.
• Strong subject knowledge in Drama and secure understanding of curriculum requirements across relevant key stages.
• The ability to design, implement and evaluate curriculum plans and schemes of work that support inclusive learning and strong student outcomes.
• Secure understanding of effective teaching, learning, assessment and intervention strategies.
• The ability to use assessment and performance data to inform teaching, curriculum planning and student progress.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, students, parents and carers.
• The ability to coach, mentor and support colleagues to improve practice and outcomes.
• Strong organisational, planning and time-management skills.
• Well-developed behaviour management skills and a commitment to positive behaviour for learning.
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality, inclusion, professional conduct and continuous professional development.

• Pension Scheme – Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Annual Leave – Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service.
• ME Day – One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event.
• Professional Development – Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Hybrid Working – Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles.
• Perkbox – Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points.
• Wellbeing and Health – Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible).
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 support and discount schemes.
• Mental Health First Aid Support.
• Recognition and Community Employee Referral Scheme.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.