Head of Department Drama (Willingdon Community School) at East Sussex County Council

Eastbourne, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

06 Aug, 26

Salary

51048.0

Posted On

08 May, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Curriculum Design, Departmental Leadership, Drama Pedagogy, Student Assessment, GCSE Instruction, Extra-curricular Coordination, Collaborative Planning, Classroom Management, Creative Direction, Communication Skills

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Hours of work: Full-time teachers’ hours. Working pattern: Full-time. Closing date: Friday 15 May 2026, noon. For more information and to apply for the above post, please contact: Willingdon Community School Broad Road Lower Willingdon BN20 9QX Phone: 01323 485254 [tel:01323 485254] Email: office@willingdonschool.org.uk [office@willingdonschool.org.uk] Website: Willingdon Community School [https://willingdonschool.org.uk/]. How to apply: To apply for this post, please download and complete the application form from the school website: http://willingdonschool.org.uk/about-us/vacancies [http://willingdonschool.org.uk/about-us/vacancies] or, e-mail: recruitment@willingdonschool.org.uk [recruitment@willingdonschool.org.uk]. We advise applying promptly for our vacancies as we reserve the right to close and interview early if sufficient suitable applications have been received. Interview details will be sent to shortlisted candidates only. Please note, we do not accept CVs. About the role: * Head of Department for Drama. * Full time / Full year / Permanent. * MPS-UPS £32,916 – £51,048 per annum plus TLR2a. * Leadership possibilities for the right candidate. * Start date September 2026. We are looking for a dynamic and engaging leader who will be innovative in the design and development of the Drama curriculum and will be well placed to generate and sustain the love and importance of Drama to our community. The post is suitable for a someone aspiring to lead a department or an experienced Head of Drama. We hope to find a candidate who is ambitious, enthusiastic and highly motivated. The Head of Drama will lead on the KS3 and KS4 drama curriculum. The Drama department consistently achieves outstanding outcomes at GCSE. The successful candidate would be joining a dynamic department in a high achieving school, which greatly values Drama within the curriculum. We also value extra-curricular opportunities in Drama, either working alongside other local schools or attending theatre trips and giving our students the opportunity to spectate live performances. All of our staff are lifelong learners and reflective practitioners. We pride ourselves on giving departments ample time for subject specialist CPD and to allow in depth conversations on drama pedagogy to develop better student understanding. We are also keen to see our Drama department work collaboratively with others across the curriculum, in particular, with Music and Dance. The Drama Department at Willingdon Community School aims to develop students’ skills as creative individuals, independent learners and effective group workers. The Drama curriculum builds distinct opportunities for students to develop key skills such as communication, negotiation, compromise and self-assertion. Students are encouraged to show confidence when speaking and their vocabulary is extended when they adopt roles and characters. Students will gain an understanding of subject-specific vocabulary and will also acquire the knowledge and skills they need to make very good progress at GCSE level. Those who wish to progress further in Drama are encouraged and supported to do so and receive an excellent grounding in related careers. We have high aspirations for our learners and build this into all aspects of teaching and learning. The Drama Department has a purpose-built and very well-equipped Drama studio which is fully equipped with lighting and sound, with further investment into this teaching space on the horizon. We are also fortunate enough to have a second teaching space, the Main Hall, boasting a traditional school stage and further lighting and sound equipment. This space hosts our annual Drama Productions, which have included the following in recent years: ‘Annie Jr’, High School Musical’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘School of Rock’, ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Alice’. Students in KS3 receive one lesson each week, covering a broad curriculum designed to develop a thorough understanding of, and ability to use, a range of practical techniques. At KS4, students follow the AQA GCSE course and have five lessons a fortnight. They study a set text, devise work based on a topic and attend theatre trips, as well as preparing scripted and devised work for the end-of-year final practical exam. Our Vision Statement: We are a united, vibrant community which demonstrates personal excellence in all that we do. Learning at Willingdon transforms lives by igniting curiosity and expecting the very best from staff and students alike. We value opportunities, aiming for success today to prepare for challenges and opportunities tomorrow. We are respectful, compassionate and courteous to empower each other on our unique learning journeys. We look after ourselves and each other, and show empathy, respect and compassion to all people and our environment along the way. We encourage tolerance, resilience and reflection, which in turn allows everyone to make progress every lesson. We work together as a harmonious community to be the very best versions of ourselves. Staff wellbeing is of paramount importance to us at Willingdon Community School. We can offer the successful candidate: * A clear purpose. We are here to develop personal excellence and help staff and students be the very best versions of themselves. * Lots of opportunities to observe others and feedback. We don’t grade lessons and feedback is developmental. * Regular opportunities for staff voice directly to the Headteacher. * On appointment, a full induction day is arranged to ensure you are supported with the transition to your new role. * 50% off Benenden Health Care scheme. * Opportunity to join Bupa Dental Plan which provides varying contributions to NHS and private dental services. * Regular Mindfulness sessions to enhance your work-life balance. * We offer Mental Health First Aid to all staff which is a two day qualification. * An Employee Assistance Programme via the County Council, this service is provided by ‘PAM Wellness’, they offer advice, information, emotional support and counselling. * Annual Flu Vaccination is provided in the autumn term and paid for by the school. * Access to the ESCC My Staff Shop which gives access to a wide range of tax efficient benefits and discounts from national and local businesses. * The Love 2 shop membership card (linked to My Staff Shop) is a reloadable gift card which can be spent at a number of major retailers. * Bike Scheme, this is a salary sacrifice scheme that produces a saving of up to 32% compared to buying a bike upfront. * A free coffee machine is ready for you during break and lunch time. * Invitations to whole school social events such as our Christmas party which is subsidised as a thank you to staff, and other gatherings to celebrate success. * Local business discounts for Willingdon Community School staff. * And more! We believe that happy staff make happy children and therefore do our utmost to support our staff. Willingdon Community School is committed to child protection/safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this duty of care. All applicants will be subject to safer recruitment procedures and will require satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check. This post is covered by the Childcare Disqualification Regulations 2018. The school will need to ensure that they are not knowingly employing a person who is disqualified under the 2018 Regulations in connection with relevant childcare provision. Accordingly, the successful candidate will be required to demonstrate to the school, by completing a self-declaration form as part of the pre-employment checks process, that they have not been disqualified under the 2018 Regulations. If the preferred candidate is found to be disqualified under the 2018 Regulations, the offer of employment will be subject to the application by the preferred candidate to Ofsted for a waiver and the receipt of a waiver from Ofsted. Additional Information This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record [https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record]. All school based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.

Responsibilities

Lead the Drama department by designing and developing the KS3 and KS4 curriculum to ensure outstanding GCSE outcomes. Manage the purpose-built drama studio and coordinate annual school productions and extra-curricular theatre activities.