Head of Performing Arts

Closing date for applications: 5 February 2026, 12.00pm

Thank you for your interest in working at Hollingworth Academy; we are a vibrant and caring school in Milnrow, Rochdale.

Why Choose Hollingworth Academy?

• Voted ‘Most Inspirational School in Rochdale’ in 2024, and the only school in Greater Manchester and Lancashire with ‘World Class Schools’ status.
• Conveniently located just off the M62, we offer an easy commute from Stockport, Central Manchester, Leeds, Blackburn, Warrington, and Burnley – all within 40 minutes or less.
• We value our staff and provide time off for important family events, such as school nativity plays and first days at school etc.
• Strong commitment to staff development and supporting /facilitating experiences which support career progression.
• Free access to our onsite gym.
• Free Simply Health membership that includes money off prescriptions, dental check-ups, physiotherapy, opticians, and GP appointments.
• Opportunity for free lunches available.
• 20 additional PPA hours per year beyond government guidelines.
• Work in an environment where Ofsted say that our students are ‘proud to attend this school’ and ‘can learn in lessons without disruption’. With a ‘behaviour system which allows [leaders] to respond to any uncommon instances of students’ poor behaviour rapidly’.

We are looking for someone with drive and ambition to lead our Performing Arts team which is made up of Drama, Music and Dance at Hollingworth Academy. We require an outstanding and inspirational practitioner, who will lead the faculty to ensure that our pupils make excellent progress across Performing Arts. As a faculty, we strongly believe in high quality educational research to develop all of our practices, and we are looking for someone who would make significant contributions to this.

As an academy, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils achieve outcomes that reflect their full potential. In 2025, our pupils excelled, securing outstanding results across a wide range of subjects, with 80% achieving a Grade 4 or above in both Maths and English.

For outstanding candidates, a recruitment and retention allowance may be negotiated during the interview process, of up to £5,000. If you are an excellent candidate with a wealth of knowledge and relevant experience, we would love to hear from you.

Contract
:
Permanent

About Hollingworth Academy

Hollingworth Academy is part of the Hollingworth Learning Trust. The Trust’s core purpose is to make a positive difference to the lives of its children. Its role, as a sponsor of the academy, is to provide the support, challenge, expertise, and resources necessary to significantly improve the provision for education.

In 2023, Hollingworth Academy was awarded the World Class Schools Quality Mark; the only school in Greater Manchester and Lancashire out of 463 to achieve this world class status.

Here at Hollingworth Academy, we believe that everyone excels every day. This ethos is built on our core values of RESPECT
, RESPONSIBILITY and RESILIENCE and these values are at the heart of everything we do. We want considerate and confident young adults who are respected within their community, capable of successfully entering further education, employment, and training. We will always have the highest expectations for all of our students, as their success is our success. We are extremely proud of our students and their achievements.

Indeed, visitors frequently comment that they are confident, respectful, thoughtful, and articulate young people.

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit us during the school day to experience our ‘high expectations’ first-hand. To arrange a visit please contact us at applica

Start date: Easter or sooner if possible

Interviews: Tuesday 10th February

To apply for this position please download the application form and supporting documentation. Completed applications should be sent to applica by the closing date.

Hollingworth Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification and will be required to apply for an enhanced DBS disclosure and all other pre-employment checks outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education. All appointments are subject to Safer Recruitment practices.

Hollingworth Academy operates a Smoke Free Policy for all its employees and applies to any building and associated grounds within the immediate vicinity of the building which is wholly owned, leased, or operated and occupied by the academy.

We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.