Head of Learning Area - Expressive and Performing Arts

Mossbourne Port Side Academy, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, SS17 0NS

13 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st September 2026 or 1st June 2026 for the right candidate

• Closing date

  25 January 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  9 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Leadership Pay Spine - competitive
• Additional allowances:

  Leadership Pay Spine - competitive

Head of Learning Area - Expressive and Performing Arts job summary

Mossbourne Port Side Academy seeks to appoint a Head of Learning Area - Expressive and Performing Arts, and member of Extended Leadership Team

Mossbourne Federation is the realisation of Sir Clive Bourne’s dream to provide the children of Hackney with an outstanding education. Built on a formula of high expectations, doing the simple things right, and the belief that all children can succeed, Mossbourne offers an environment where all learners, regardless of ability, benefit from innovative and enlightened approaches to teaching and learning. Our calm working atmosphere creates well-rounded individuals who excel in the arts, on the sporting field, and academically.

In 2025, our 20th anniversary year, we are delighted to have expanded to include three Thurrock schools in our Federation. We now consist of seven academies:

• Mossbourne Community Academy (MCA) secondary and sixth form, Hackney
• Mossbourne Fobbing Academy (MFA) secondary and sixth form, Thurrock
• Mossbourne Herd Lane Academy (MHLA) primary, Thurrock
• Mossbourne Parkside Academy (MPA) primary, Hackney
• Mossbourne Port Side Academy (MPSA) secondary, Thurrock
• Mossbourne Riverside Academy (MRA) primary, Hackney
• Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA) secondary, Hackney

We are seeking an outstanding leader and practitioner who is ready to join the Extended Leadership Team and lead this crucial learning area. We encourage applications from teachers with experience leading a department as well as middle leaders who are looking to make the step up to their first head of department role. The successful applicant will be passionate about the arts, have excellent subject knowledge and have the determination and ambition to lead a high-performing team. They will be well organised, willing to go the ‘extra mile’ and will embody and model the high standards that we expect from staff. They will be instrumental in ensuring that outstanding teaching and learning is secured and maintained to promote exceptional outcomes in the learning area.

Working for a Mossbourne Federation Academy means being part of a community of exceptional practitioners. Colleagues are warm, welcoming, and supportive of each other. As one of the country’s leading federations, staff expectations are high. The Mossbourne Federation engages with, and supports its workforce, thus creating an inspirational working environment which nurtures the development of personal and professional excellence.

Federation staff are rewarded through the comprehensive package of benefits listed in our Federation Recruitment Brochure, including:

• Private healthcare, to support health and wellbeing, fully paid by the Federation
• Early finish on Friday - secondary academies
• Hybrid working for planning and preparation time - primary academies
• The Mossbourne Allowance*
• Free lunches*
• Free staff fitness classes and/or use of onsite gym - secondary academies
• Cycle to work and season ticket loan schemes
• Discounts at local restaurants
• Discounted gym membership with the ability to spread membership costs
• Saturday and holiday paid programme
• Special leave scheme (additional paid time off)
• Staff appreciation awards and events
• First rate professional development and career opportunities
• Financial support for career development*
• ‘Introduction Bonus’ for current staff*
• Remuneration for exam board marking*
• Tea, coffee and refreshments provided for staff throughout the week

*Terms and conditions apply for some benefits

If you are passionate about innovative education, have a commitment to personal excellence and are ready for a new challenge, we welcome your application.

Please note that CVs or incomplete application forms will not be considered. All other applications will be considered; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Mossbourne Federation reserves the right to close adverts earlier than the stated deadline.

At Mossbourne Federation, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We do not discriminate in recruitment or during employment based on any protected characteristic or aspect of individual identity. We have committed to becoming an Anti-Racist organisation and we welcome individuals with the ethos and energy to help us achieve this goal.

The Mossbourne Federation is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

You can follow us on LinkedIn at - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mossbourne-federation/

Find more about working with Mossbourne Federation in our Federation Recruitment and Employee Experience Brochures.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

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.

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

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Mossbourne Port Side Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 582 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/ortu-hassenbrook-academy-stanford-le-hope

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