Head of Drama

The Arnewood School, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6RS

6 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2025

• Closing date

  9 May 2025 at 9am

• Date listed

  2 May 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Subjects: Dance, Drama
• Working pattern: Full time: 32.5 hours per week
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: M1 to UPS3 plus TLR2a
• Additional allowances:

  TLR2a - £3,391

What skills and experience we're looking for

The Arnewood School is seeking a dynamic, inspirational and experienced Head of Drama to lead a thriving, high-performing department that plays a central role in the cultural life of the school. The Drama Department enjoys outstanding success, with excellent uptake at both GCSE and A Level, and we are excited to introduce BTEC Performing Arts at Key Stage 5 from September 2025.

Our provision includes a rich extra-curricular programme, with large-scale annual productions involving over 150 students, regular theatre visits for all year groups, and workshops with industry professionals. This year, we were one of just 11 schools nationally awarded the rights to perform the full version of Frozen, reflecting the excellence and ambition of the department.

The successful candidate will lead an enthusiastic team, modelling excellent teaching, nurturing student creativity, and maintaining a vibrant extra-curricular offer. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate leader who shares our commitment to high standards, inclusive practice, and broad educational experiences.

Core Purpose To lead the Drama Department effectively, ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, and student outcomes across all key stages. To inspire a culture of confidence, resilience, and excellence through exceptional curriculum delivery and rich performance opportunities, while meeting our values of ambition, success, and together.

Key Responsibilities

1. Teaching and Learning

• Plan and deliver high-quality lessons using the principles of the science of learning and the Walkthrus’ platform
• Ensure curriculum coverage, continuity and progression for all learners, preparing students for internal and external examinations.
• Use assessment effectively to track student progress and identify areas for intervention.
• Set and mark home learning in line with school policy.
• Use classroom routines and the Arnewood relational policy to foster a calm, respectful learning environment.
• Foster positive, professional relationships with students built on respect and mutual high expectations.

2. Leadership and Management (TLR Responsibilities)

• Provide strong, inspirational leadership that embodies the school’s values of Ambition, Success, Together.
• Drive a clear vision for Drama, promoting innovation and maintaining high standards across the department.
• Undertake regular departmental evaluation through data analysis, student voice, lesson observations, and work scrutiny to inform improvement planning.
• Develop and maintain schemes of learning, home learning provision, assessment schedules and curriculum documentation.
• Oversee departmental meetings with published agendas and accurate minutes.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure safe use of resources with up-to-date risk assessments.
• Work with SLT to ensure appropriate staffing, rooming, and curriculum blocking.
• Lead recruitment and induction for new departmental staff, and support ongoing CPD and performance development reviews .
• Collaborate closely with the Music department to run successful school productions and celebrate the Performing Arts.

3. Curriculum Development

• Select and implement appropriate qualifications (GCSE, A Level, BTEC) with a clear rationale and progression model.
• Ensure a broad, balanced and culturally rich curriculum that supports SMSC and students’ personal, learning and thinking skills.
• Promote literacy, extended writing, and oracy through the curriculum.
• Include opportunities to experience live theatre and engage with practitioners to broaden students' industry understanding.
• Maintain curriculum adaptability to meet the needs of SEND, EAL, most able, and disadvantaged students.

4. Data, Assessment and Progress

• Lead on data-driven instruction, using assessment outcomes to adapt planning, pace and intervention.
• Set aspirational targets and ensure regular data review meetings take place within the department.
• Use data insights to inform teaching strategies, classroom groupings, and curriculum interventions.

5. Pastoral Responsibilities

• Serve as a Form Tutor, supporting the holistic development of students.
• Take daily registers, monitor attendance and punctuality, and follow up concerns appropriately.
• Build positive relationships with parents and carers through consultations, reports, and open communication.
• Conduct academic mentoring and contribute to student well-being, personal development, and safeguarding as required.

6. Professional Development and Wider Contribution

• Engage actively in the school’s Performance Management process.
• Lead by example through excellent classroom practice and a commitment to personal professional development.
• Attend and contribute to staff meetings and CPD within directed time.
• Support and reflect the ethos, mission, and values of the school in all aspects of your professional conduct.
• Promote the Drama department within the school and community through events, showcases, and communication.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Qualified teacher with QTS and strong academic background in Drama and/or Performing Arts.
• Proven track record of excellent classroom practice and student outcomes.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills.
• Ability to inspire and motivate students and staff.
• A commitment to inclusivity, enrichment and creative learning.

Desirable:

• Experience of teaching across KS3 to KS5.
• Experience of leading productions and performance projects.
• Knowledge of current educational developments, including curriculum and assessment reform.
• Familiarity with BTEC Performing Arts specifications.
• Experience and knowledge of teaching dance to a high standard

What the school offers its staff

• A leadership team that values staff wellbeing and development.
• two week October half term to support staff wellbeing.
• wellbeing package through Education Support – offering 24/7 helpline and additional support for staff and their families.
• Walkthrus coaching within departments.
• Teachers pension scheme.
• Tracking national teachers pay and conditions.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Reduced gym membership at neighbouring leisure centre (shared site).
• the opportunity to be integral to drive school improvement
• a wide range of professional opportunities, including middle leadership development training, mentoring, external and internal CPD courses.
• opportunities to be part of our excellent ECT, ITT and SCITT mentoring team.
• opportunities to contribute to the whole school teaching and learning team.
• being a part of a supportive, committed and experienced staff

mentoring for all new staff.

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

Please download the application form using the link below, and once completed send to l.harper@arnewood.hants.sch.uk

CVs are not accepted.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Recruitment Teaching Pack - Head of Drama.pdf - 991 KB (opens in new tab)

About The Arnewood School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary
• School size: 957 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Arnewood School website
• Email address: l.harper@arnewood.hants.sch.uk
• Phone number: 01425625405
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-arnewood-school

The Arnewood School offers a welcoming, professional, and supportive atmosphere for new colleagues.
Our academic record over a long period of time shows us to be a consistently high performing school, with impressive examination results at all key stages, including our vibrant sixth form.
We aim to meet individual students' needs and help every child fulfill their potential placing great emphasis on a healthy balance between academic work and all-round social development. The school is ideally situated in New Milton at the gateway to The New Forest National Park with easy access to recreational activities by the sea and in the forest.

Arranging a visit to The Arnewood School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email l.harper@arnewood.hants.sch.uk.

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