Curriculum Leader of Performing Arts
John Smeaton Academy, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS15 8TA18 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026 (or earlier)
Closing date
30 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
23 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Skilled Worker visas can be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3
Subject
- Drama
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 hours per week
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- MPR/UPR
Additional allowances
TLR 2B
What skills and experience we're looking for
John Smeaton Academy is seeking to appoint an exceptional and inspirational leader to the role of Curriculum Leader of Performing Arts. This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate practitioner to shape, grow and lead a vibrant department within an academy that places creativity, character and ambition at the heart of its culture.
Performing Arts is a thriving and much-loved area of our curriculum. Over the last five years, we have built a strong and ambitious provision across both Music and Drama, with both subjects consistently popular in our options process. Our students are enthusiastic, committed and eager to perform, and we are proud of the culture of excellence and participation that has been established.
Beyond the classroom, our enrichment offer is flourishing. Each year our academy stages full-scale productions that capture the imagination of our community — recent performances have included Matilda, Beauty and the Beast and Oliver! — providing students with unforgettable opportunities to develop confidence, resilience and creativity. Our students also proudly represent the academy at the GORSE Shakespeare Festival, showcasing not only their talent but their deep appreciation for literature and performance.
We are equally proud of our recent investment in the Performing Arts. In Summer 2025, we opened two brand-new music classrooms, dedicated peripatetic practice rooms, and a second drama studio — significantly enhancing the facilities available to both staff and students. These purpose-built spaces provide an inspiring environment in which creativity can truly flourish.
This role offers the chance to build on strong foundations and lead the next phase of development for Performing Arts at John Smeaton Academy. We are looking for a colleague who shares our belief in the transformative power of the arts and who is committed to ensuring every student can discover and develop their talent.
If you are ambitious, creative and ready to lead within a forward-thinking academy, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Potential applicants should have:
- Qualified Teacher Status
- A Successful teaching record with very good teaching practice demonstrated consistently.
- A passion for education and making a difference.
- The ability to put vision into practice.
What the school offers its staff
As a trust, we want to ensure that professionals at every stage in their career have the opportunity to enjoy expert support and training. We are pleased to offer a generous benefits package to our team – as we work together to create a rewarding future for all including:
- Membership of a teacher or local government pension scheme, depending on the role.
- A commitment to continued investment in our professionals, supporting every member of staff throughout their career in the trust.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential professional advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- £2k Cycle to work scheme.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About John Smeaton Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 610 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- John Smeaton Academy website
- Email address
- enquiries@johnsmeatonacademy.org.uk
School location
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