Job Description
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Head of Drama (Maternity Cover)
Main Pay Scale/ Upper Pay Scale
TLR2b (£5,361 pa)
Full time, Part time
September 2024
We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Head of Department who enjoys working as part of a team, relishes the challenge posed by able pupils and is keen to be involved in the organisation of and implementation of extra-curricular activities.
Experience of teaching the AQA Drama GCSE and the Edexcel Drama A Level, as well as knowledge of Frantic Assembly and Brecht is desirable.
The Drama Department
The department currently consists of four members of staff, two of which are LAMDA teachers. In such a successful academic school, which aims to produce active citizens in the changing world, students need to be equipped with the creativity, confidence and empathy to adapt and lead in an unknown environment. Through Drama we aim to equip students with these personal traits in a practical and enjoyable setting. We aim to nurture and encourage both exceptional students heading towards a career in the industry as well as those whose ambition lies elsewhere. We are very proud of our GCSE and A Level grades, with excellent results last year. We are very passionate about our subject and are willing to rehearse with students after school in the build up to practical exams. We also offer GCSE and A Level written work support at lunch times in order to stretch pupils to achieve top band in the theoretical side of the course. In line with the exam specifications, we run a GCSE and two A Level theatre trips a year. We also take students to the V & A museum to watch archived performances. To encourage enthusiasm in the subject we organise other theatre trips throughout the year for all year groups, as well as workshops with professional theatre practitioners. We usually put on two drama showcases a year, one with our older pupils and one with our KS3 Drama club. We currently have 70 students taking LAMDA lessons and out school is set up as a LAMDA exam centre. LAMDA students also have the opportunity to perform in our showcases. We also run a House Drama competition every year: an improvisation battle.
All KS3 lessons, and most KS4 and KS5 lessons are taught in a spacious Drama Studio with access to a computer, projector, raised stage and lighting equipment. There is an option to be re-roomed to have access to desks for written lessons and IT rooms can be booked through a central booking system.
In KS3, Drama is taught in form groups who have one hour lessons every other week. We have comprehensive schemes of work and sequenced lesson plans which are regularly updated to ensure students meet the assessment points across the year. There is a primary focus on practical work in years 7, 8 and 9, with various written tasks in pre-printed Drama booklets for students to work through in lessons and for homework in order to introduce the theoretical side of GCSE drama in KS3.
With pupils having completed KS3 at the end of year 9, students can chose Drama as a GCSE option. We were a popular subject last year and currently have 2 year 10 classes and 2 year 11 classes. Students have 5 lessons a fortnight in year 10, which is reduced to 4 lessons a fortnight in years 11. We continue to build on the skills learnt at KS3 with a focus on the AQA Drama GCSE. For the written exam we focus on Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman and adapted by Dominic Cooke. For the scripted component we focus on a variety of different play texts, choosing ones that will suit our pupils, and are open to suggestions which would expand the plays we are able to offer our students. It is a requirement of the course that we take students to see a live theatre production which is then taught in lessons, and this changes on a yearly bases depending on what suitable productions there are on offer. The practitioners we teach are Frantic Assembly and Bertolt Brecht and we expect students to devise their Component 2 Coursework in the style of one of these theatre makers. There are comprehensive schemes of work, lesson plans and resources available for every aspect of the GCSE course.
We have a healthy uptake of the subject at A Level and teach Edexcel Drama and Theatre Studies. We have one year 12 class and one year 13. For the devised unit we study pool(no water) and the practitioner Frantic Assembly. For the written exam we study Equus by Peter Shaffer in year 12. In year 13 Woyzeck by Georg Büchner is studied alongside the practitioner Brecht. It is a requirement of the course that we take students to see a live theatre production which is then taught in lessons, and this changes on a yearly bases depending on what suitable productions there are on offer. There are comprehensive schemes of work, lesson plans and resources available for every aspect of the A Level course. Help making lesson plans and resources for the live theatre production studied will be appreciated once we have settled on the production that will be seen.
Varied teaching strategies are actively encouraged for all year groups. Group work is a regular part of lessons at all levels. The department encourages the use of news stories and parallels between set texts and modern life to develop empathy and understanding. We have integrated Assessment for Learning at all levels and require pupils to review and redraft their own work with a focus on assessment criteria.
April 2024
JOB DESCRIPTION
VISION AND PURPOSE
- To liaise with colleagues within Westcliff High School for Girls and within the South East Essex Academy Trust to support strategic development, share good practice and plan collaborative activities.
- Uphold the school's values of Scholarship, Leadership, Enrichment, and Kindness.
- Ensure high quality teaching across the department.
- Raise student attainment.
- Maximise the learning experiences and achievement of students.
- Monitor and report on student progress.
- Plan and contribute to activities within the department.
- Undertake the role of Form Tutor, as required.
- Play a full part in the school and ensure that the vision and values of the school and the trust are upheld at all time.
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
- To be accountable for the highest standards of student achievement across the Drama department by monitoring, supporting and evaluating pupil achievement and setting targets for improvement.
- To be accountable for leading, developing and enhancing the teaching practice of all teachers of Drama, evaluating the quality of teaching and securing and sustaining effective teaching of Drama.
- To ensure all colleagues within the Drama department adapt lessons for students with SEND needs in relation to their IEP or via guidance given by the SENDCo.
- To lead the development of appropriate syllabi, resources, schemes of work, marking policies, assessment and teaching and learning strategies in the Drama department.
- To be accountable for the strategic direction, leadership and management of the Drama department, the development and implementation of Drama policies, plans, targets, and practices within the context of the school 's aims.
- To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, and sequenced Drama curriculum that enables all students to make significant progress.
- To effectively line-manage and deploy teaching and support staff, and financial and physical resources within the Drama department to support the designated curriculum portfolio.
- To ensure the effective self-evaluation and progress of the Drama department in line with the School Development Plan.
- Lead and encourage staff to take active responsibility for their professional development within the department.
- Liaise with other middle leaders and teachers to share and collaborate in approaches that will support success across departments.
- Work with the Assistant Headteacher responsible for the area of Drama to ensure that the performance of staff is reviewed and celebrated, and that under-performance is addressed using informal and formal mechanisms.
- To keep up to date with national developments in Drama teaching practices and methodology.
- To make appropriate arrangements for classes during staff absence.
- To participate in the interview process for teaching posts when required and to ensure effective induction of new staff in line with school procedures.
- To be responsible for the day-to-day management of staff within the Drama department and act as a positive role model.
- To promote teamwork and to motivate staff to ensure effective working relations.
- To ensure the Behaviour Management Policy is implemented in the Drama department so that effective learning can take place and provide support to colleagues where necessary.
- To monitor pupil attendance together with pupils' progress and performance in relation to targets set for each individual; ensuring that follow-up procedures are adhered to, and that appropriate action is taken where necessary.
- To participate in the school's ITT programme.
- To play a full part in the life of the school community, to support its distinctive mission and ethos and to encourage staff and students to follow this example.
TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES
- Teach assigned students, ensuring a high-quality learning experience for all.
- Plan and prepare curriculum lessons in conjunction with school and departmental requirements and policies, including external syllabus requirements.
- Assist in the development of curriculum plans, syllabi, resources, schemes of work, and policies.
- Set and mark work in accordance with the school's assessment and marking procedures.
- Contribute to the review and quality assurance of curriculum plans as directed by senior leaders in the school.
- Contribute to the school and departmental improvement plans and their implementation.
- Maintain student records through the school's assessment procedures and use these to inform teaching.
- Where necessary, liaise with colleagues to ensure effective provision e.g. coteachers, associate support staff, trainee teachers.
- Communicate effectively with parents when required including during parent's consultation evenings.
- Collaborate and work with colleagues and other relevant professionals within and beyond the school effectively to promote a high quality of education for all students.
- Where necessary, collaborate with persons or bodies outside the school and participate in meetings arranged for the purposes of pupil progress.
- Initiate any necessary interventions to enable students to progress, including where relevant operating in line with a student's Individual Education Plan.
- Promote teamwork and ensure effective working relations.
- Ensure the Behaviour Management policy is implemented in the department so that effective learning can take place.
- Support the department participating in the school's ITT programme.
- To play a full part in the life of the school community, to support its distinctive mission and ethos and to encourage staff and students to follow this example.
- Proactively seek opportunities to develop professional practice through further training opportunities.
- Undertake the role of form tutor, as required including the delivery of PDE resources.
- To participate in the life of the House System.
- Comply with any reasonable request from the Headteacher or other school leader to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.
For further information and to apply please visit
https://mynewterm.com/jobs/136490/EDV-2024-WHSG-26095
Information about the School
Westcliff High School for Girls is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects its entire staff to share this commitment. All post-holders working in our schools will be considered to work in Regulated Activity and will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance all shortlisted candidates may be subject to online searches that may include social media. For further information please contact HR@seeat.org.