Head of Drama

**PURPOSE OF THE JOB**

In addition to the requirements of a teacher and any other agreed responsibilities, Heads of Department take responsibility for their curriculum area and ensure that students receive a first-class educational experience and are able to achieve their full potential. Heads of Department are also responsible for the management and professional development of any staff within their department, ensuring that they are well-supported and working to a high standard. The duties and responsibilities of a Head of Department may be changed or adjusted from time to time according to the exigencies of school life, and to suit the School's development.

**DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Strategic Direction and Development**
- Develop and implement policies and practices which reflect the School’s commitment to high achievement through effective teaching and learning
- Develop plans for the department which identify clear targets, timescales and success criteria for its development and/or maintenance in line with the School Development Plan, and taking into account the views of teachers, students and senior staff
- Continuously review the effectiveness of the provision, assessing strengths, areas for development, resources and implementation of policies

**Teaching and Learning**
- Regularly review and update the curriculum, ensuring that schemes of work are in place for each year group in accordance with the format and quality expected by the school
- Ensure that a departmental handbook is in place (or equivalent), which includes details of schemes of work, available resources and assessment of students
- Develop and share teaching and learning resources, ensuring that departmental resources are well-organised, of a high quality, and readily available to staff
- Evaluate the quality of teaching in the area / aspect of work, working with other staff within the department in the pursuit of continuous improvement

**Leading and Managing Staff**
- Ensure an effective team culture and set an example of professional standards and behaviour
- Enable all teachers to achieve expertise in planning for and teaching in the area through example, support and by leading or providing high quality professional development opportunities
- Guide and support staff to ensure their effective performance and wellbeing
- Help others to evaluate the impact of their teaching on raising students' achievement
- Review the performance of all teachers in the department, to include lesson observations and the scrutiny of planning and marking, providing clear feedback to staff and contributing to staff appraisals
- Assist with the recruitment of new teaching staff and provide mentoring as required
- Hold regular formal departmental meetings, with an agenda and summarising minutes, as well as frequent informal discussion
- Inform staff of relevant school policies and procedures, as well as disseminating information from Heads of Department and other meetings (e.g. exam board meetings)

**Student Progress**
- Assess and record students’ progress in accordance with departmental and school policies, including the submission of assessment data for student tracking systems

**Examinations**
- Select appropriate examination qualifications to follow in line with school policy and the needs of students
- Provide accurate and prompt information to the Exams Officer about the external exams and predicted grades
- Ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place for coursework/controlled assessment (if applicable)
- Organise mock exams, end-of-year exams and, where appropriate, scholarship and entrance exams (including setting and marking scholarship papers where required)
- Be available to communicate with pupils and parents on Results Days

**Extra-curricular**
- Develop Drama outside of the classroom, which will involve workshops, trips, rehearsals and productions to ensure that Drama is recognised as a truly excellent component of the LMS offering
- Provide opportunities for all students to practise and perform, whilst also encouraging the pursuit of excellence

**Other Responsibilities**
- This job description is in addition to the requirements of a teacher and any other agreed responsibilities
- Attend Head of Department meetings and other meetings, as required by senior staff
- Ensure that relevant health and safety matters are followed in line with the School’s Health and Safety Policy
- Produce relevant health and safety policies and procedures for the area / aspect of work
- Manage the department budget
- Liaise with external agencies and individuals as appropriate (e.g. exam boards)
- Keep departmental displays up-to-date

Any other reasonable duties relating to the job as required by the Head

**PERSON SPECIFICATION**

**Qualifications**
- Degree
- Qualified Teacher status
- Evidence of commitment to personal and professional development

**Personal Qualities**
- High levels of personal and professional integrity
- Strong i