Head of Drama Department

Summary of the role

Arts Ed is seeking an inspirational Drama practitioner and leader with experience of a wide range of theatrical genres and a proven ability to teach Drama up to and including A Level. The successful candidate should be a well-qualified graduate with excellent organisational, interpersonal and leadership skills and an ability to create an ambitious, vibrant performance and learning environment, and in the process inspire staff and students.

The Drama Department at Arts Ed has an outstanding tradition of excellent teaching, performance and production work. The successful candidate will join the highly talented Performing Arts Faculty of 26 teachers and 11 peripatetic staff sharing industry experience across our Drama, Dance and Musical Theatre pathways. Working as part of this team, you will lead the Drama Department which comprises 4 full time members of staff.

In 2024, Arts Ed was awarded a ‘significant strength’ by ISI and the ISA National Award for Excellence – recognising our outstanding curriculum and performing arts achievements. In 2025, Arts Ed were Winners in three main categories at the National School Theatre Awards:
Best Ensemble;
Best Actor in a Musical;
Best Actress in a Play. The School wins a steady stream of accolades in the ISA performing arts categories including Best Devised Piece and Best Ensemble in Drama, Best Musical Theatre Piece, winners of ‘Shakespeare Monologue Competition’ and ‘original monologues’.

In the Sixth Form, there is a choice of learning pathways which ensures students can select the course of study best suited to their talents and ambitions. Students can choose to immerse themselves in their vocational work, taking one of the following options: BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in the Performing Arts Practice (Acting, Dance or Musical Theatre) and have the option to take one additional A level.

Alternatively, they can follow a traditional route of three or four A levels; this is augmented by a core component of Performing Arts enrichment.

As Head of the Drama Department, you will lead, manage and develop the Drama Department and curriculum, ensuring high standards of attainment, student progress and teaching practice. You will undertake operational and strategic planning on behalf of the Department, by formulating, maintaining and developing objectives and plans that support student needs and underpin the strategic plans of the School.

Drama is well-resourced and each year will perform in the main Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre (ALWFT), the smaller performance studios and also at external venues; for example – The Lyric, Hammersmith;
The Bush and The Questors Theatres. The ALWFT is a fully equipped and staffed industry standard theatre, and is used for the prestigious Drama Showcase and other large-scale productions. You will be expected to take a leading role in the extensive and varied theatre visit programme throughout the year, frequenting theatres in the thriving London theatre scene.

You will take the lead in the planning and delivery of the drama curriculum; contributing to the teaching students at KS3 – KS5 including GCSE, A Level and LAMDA. This will include the ability to support the students academically as well as in the planning, preparation, rehearsal and performance of large and small scale productions within the Performing Arts. Avery significant number of students take LAMDA group performance examinations grades 4-8 (usually about 50 – most of whom are in Key Stage 3 and
4); over the last few years all students have achieved Distinctions. Key annual performance opportunities include: LAMDA, Year 7 Panto, ISA competitions and Performance Evening, Year 10 GCSE Devised performances, Year 11 Scripted performances, Year 12 Devised performances, Year 13 Scripted performances and the annual Drama Showcase.

The Department follows the OCR Examination Board for both the GCSE Drama and A Level Drama & Theatre Studies courses. We have strong cohorts of performers on both courses and exam results are excellent. All students on the Key Stage 4 Drama Pathway, and some from the other Pathways (Musical Theatre and Dance), will take…