Head of Drama & Theatre Studies

Location: Newham, East/Inner London

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational)

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Start Date: January or April Start

A vibrant, culturally rich secondary school and Sixth Form in the London Borough of Newham is seeking a visionary, articulate, and creative Head of Drama to lead their flourishing Theatre & Performing Arts department. Capitalizing on Newham’s proximity to London’s world-class theatre district and dynamic East End arts culture, this is an outstanding leadership opportunity for an experienced Drama practitioner or an ambitious second-in-department ready to steer curriculum design, direct major productions, and cultivate dramatic flair and expressive confidence across all key stages.

About the Role

As Head of Drama, you will serve as both the pedagogical architect and creative director of the department. Reporting to the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead the delivery of engaging Key Stage 3 drama, alongside rigorous Key Stage 4 (GCSE Drama) and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Drama & Theatre / BTEC Performing Arts) specifications. You will oversee curriculum innovation, mentor department staff, drive academic standards in written and practical assessments, and curate a high-profile extra-curricular performance calendar.

• Environment: A modern Inner London secondary school boasting a dedicated drama studio with professional lighting and sound rigs, a black box performance space, and established partnerships with East London arts organizations and West End theatre outreach programs

• Culture: An ambitious, inclusive, and arts-rich environment where dramatic expression, ensemble collaboration, cultural literacy, and creative confidence are celebrated as core pillars of student development

Key Responsibilities

• Departmental & Curriculum Leadership: Design and implement an inspiring, diverse Drama curriculum across KS3–KS5 that balances theatrical history, performance techniques, script analysis, and practitioner methodologies (e.g., Stanislavski, Brecht, Artaud, Frantic Assembly).

• Academic Standards & Assessment: Monitor and elevate pupil progress across GCSE and A-Level coursework, scripted performance exams, and written evaluations, implementing data-informed intervention strategies to ensure exceptional outcomes.

• Co-Curricular & Production Management: Direct and produce major annual school musicals, plays, showcase evenings, and inter-house performing arts festivals; oversee stage management, technical production, and rehearsal schedules.

• Staff Mentoring & Resource Management: Line manage and develop department colleagues and visiting ITT/ECT practitioners; manage the departmental capitation budget, technical equipment, and costume/prop inventories.

• Enrichment & Theatre Partnerships: Organize theatre trips, practitioner workshops, and national competition entries, leveraging local venue links (e.g., Theatre Royal Stratford East) to broaden student horizons.

Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent recognized teaching credential.

• A strong academic degree in Drama, Theatre Studies, Performing Arts, or a closely related discipline.

• Proven track record of outstanding Drama teaching across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, with evidence of securing strong examination results (previous middle leadership or second-in-department experience is highly desirable).

• Comprehensive understanding of national Drama specification requirements (e.g., AQA, Edexcel, OCR) and practical competency in directing, technical staging, and script adaptation.

• Outstanding leadership, communication, and organizational skills, paired with an infectious passion for live theatre and creative youth empowerment.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Inner London Main / Upper Pay Scale + TLR 2b / TLR 2c (MPS/UPS Inner London + TLR, commensurate with leadership experience).

• Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), continuous executive professional development and middle leadership training (e.g., NPQML/NPQLT support), and access to comprehensive staff health and wellbeing programs.

How to Apply

If you are an ambitious Drama specialist and inspiring leader ready to champion performance arts and direct an exceptional department at a dynamic secondary school in Newham, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your application and CV as soon as possible for consideration.