Head of Dance, with potential additional responsibilities (Mat Cover) in Walton-on-Thames

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Head of Dance (Maternity Cover) with potential additional responsibilities to deliver high‑quality lessons that support students in achieving outstanding progress. The successful candidate will set clear learning targets, assess student progress with regular feedback, and ensure students are well‑prepared for examinations. With a genuine passion for Dance, you’ll help our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally, while staying up‑to‑date with current educational thinking.

They will contribute to schemes of work, maintain a stimulating learning environment, and engage with parents and the wider school community. The role also involves taking responsibility for professional development and actively participating in school duties and performance management activities.

The Dance department at Three Rivers Academy provides a challenging, engaging, and supportive dance education in order for students to perform, choreograph, and appreciate a variety of Dance styles. Performance skills are developed through high levels of practical activity, where thorough feedback is continually given to ensure that every student is constantly increasing their capacity to improve. This is proven within our results, where our GCSE Dance cohort continues to achieve excellent results and our Sixth‑form students achieved top 10% nationally in their BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts: Dance approach.

The Dance program at Three Rivers Academy is rich both within and outside the curriculum to ensure every student has the widest range of opportunities to engage in the art of dance. There are two weekly clubs that run: Wednesday lunchtime Dance club and Dance Company. There are termly opportunities given to students to attend Dance productions which have included: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, Motion house, Starlight Express and Alvin Ailey. Students also have experiences competing at national competitions such as The Great Big Dance Off and Dance Live. There is an annual showcase, Dance Explosion, held at Epsom Playhouse where approximately 80–90 students perform a range of solos, duets and group pieces, as well as pieces from our exam groups.

What we are looking for:

• Teachers who are passionate about improving students’ life chances.
• Ability to contribute to a supportive and highly effective teaching team.
• An enthusiasm for creative subjects and developing students’ potential.

What we offer:

• A supportive team within a school that prioritises teaching and learning.
• Opportunities to try new approaches, take risks, and have fun in the classroom.
• A positive and collaborative atmosphere, focusing on strong relationships and personalised support for each student.
• A Recruitment and Retention Allowance may be available for experienced candidates looking to develop leadership skills.
• As a Partnership School, we are committed to professional development through our extensive CPD programme and ensure a healthy work/life balance with effective PPA allocation.

We welcome informal meetings or tours of the school. Please contact the HR team to arrange a visit.

The Howard Partnership Trust is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of gender, marital status, disability, race, age, or sexual orientation. All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview. Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of this advertisement.

As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties.

SAFEGUARDING AND FURTHER INFORMATION

The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Howard Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Due to the nature of this role, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. In making your application, it is essential you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind‑overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind‑over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.