Head of English & Drama
North Oxfordshire Academy, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 0UD32 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
22 February 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
21 January 2026
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
- Drama, English
Working pattern
- Full time, part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Competitive United Learning pay scale £36,400 - £53,040 per annum
Additional allowances
TLR1
What skills and experience we're looking for
🌟Head of English & Drama
Inspire. Lead. Transform.
Are you a dynamic, visionary English specialist with a passion for Drama and a drive to shape an exceptional learning culture? This is your opportunity to lead a thriving faculty, elevate teaching and learning, and ignite a love of language, literature, and performance across an ambitious academy.
✨Why This Role Matters
As Head of English & Drama, you will set the strategic direction for two vibrant subjects, champion high‑quality teaching, and ensure every student—regardless of background—achieves excellence. This is a role for someone who thrives on creativity, leadership, and impact.
🎭What You’ll Lead
- A bold, inspiring vision for English & Drama that raises aspirations and celebrates achievement
- Outstanding teaching and learning through coaching, modelling, and evidence‑informed practice
- A rich, ambitious curriculum that builds knowledge, cultural capital, and a love of reading and performance
- Rigorous assessment and data practice that drives progress and closes gaps
- A collaborative, high‑performing team where staff grow, innovate, and excel
- Quality assurance processes that ensure consistency, excellence, and continual improvement
- Enrichment opportunities including theatre trips, competitions, performances, and reading initiatives
📚What You’ll Do
- Lead and inspire staff through coaching, CPD, and performance management
- Design and refine curriculum and schemes of work across all key stages
- Model exceptional classroom practice and support others to do the same
- Use data intelligently to shape interventions and raise attainment
- Oversee examinations and assessment processes with precision and compliance
- Champion behaviour excellence and a culture of high expectations
- Teach engaging, challenging lessons that inspire students of all abilities
🌈What We’re Looking For
- A passionate English specialist with strong subject expertise
- A leader who motivates, develops, and brings out the best in others
- A strategic thinker with a commitment to inclusion and high standards
- Someone who thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment
- A role model who embodies professionalism, positivity, and ambition
What the school offers its staff
What We Offer: More Pay, More Time, More Support
We are proud to invest in our staff and offer a sector‑leading employment package, including:
- Sector-leading pay – 5% above national scales
- Three additional INSET days each year dedicated to planning and development
- Health Cash Plan to support essential medical costs
- Guaranteed personal day – one paid day off annually for personal use
- Outstanding CPD with clear pathways for progression
- Wellbeing support including counselling, legal and financial advice
- Retail discounts through Westfield Rewards
📅Ready to Lead the Future of English & Drama?
If you’re excited by the idea of transforming outcomes, inspiring young people, and leading a talented team, we’d love to hear from you.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
North Oxfordshire Academy ensures a whole school approach to safeguarding. This means ensuring safeguarding and child protection are at the forefront and underpins all relevant aspects of process and policy development.
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
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)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About North Oxfordshire Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 19
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1023 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- North Oxfordshire Academy website
- Email address
- emma.hunt@northoxfordshire-academy.org
Welcome to North Oxfordshire Academy and thank you for taking an interest in developing your career with us.
For those who want to combine quick access to London and Oxford with country living, North Oxfordshire Academy is the ideal location. We are situated in Banbury, a vibrant market town steeped in history which enjoys affordable rental and house prices.
The academy sits on a 48-acre site and offers great facilities including extensive playing fields, a national standard athletics track and a 50-place nursery to which teachers benefit from heavily subsidised places.
The academy offers a great training programme for students, ECTs and Schools Direct trainees who all benefit from high-quality, supportive CPD. Our staff are optimistic, hardworking and great team players and new staff very quickly become part of the NOA family.
We pride ourselves on excellent staff retention; our staff are happy and determined to encourage the very best in our students. I would be delighted to welcome any prospective applicants to see for themselves how we work at North Oxfordshire Academy.
Ellie Jacobs, Principal
Arranging a visit to North Oxfordshire Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email emma.hunt@northoxfordshire-academy.org.
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