JOB DESCRIPTION

Title of Post:Head of Performing Arts – Lead for Dance

Status of Post:Full-Time

Salary Scale:MPS plus TLR1a

Starting Date:September 2017

The Performing Arts faculty is passionate and committed to delivering high quality lessons and learning experiences of the arts. We want a faculty that continues to lead the way in trialling different teaching and learning techniques to inspire pupils and raise achievement.

The performing arts team is a dedicated group of committed professionals currently consisting of six full-time and two part-time members of staff (dance has two full time teachers and one part time dance teacher). The current Head of Performing Arts, Miss A Darby, has been promoted to become assistant principal and the current Head of Dance is emigrating in the summer.

The school is part of St. John Paul II Multi Academy are the current holders of the Knights of St. Columba School Production of the year award for our production of Annie in 2016. The annual school musical is a highlight of the school calendar. The music, dance and drama departments all provide a large amount of experiences for pupils all year round to lead and perform to a range of audiences. The performing arts tours abroad are a bi-annual and exciting opportunity for all pupils. The dance department has also provided work for sampling with Excel and AQA and pupils have performed at numerous events including at the ICC, The Alexandra Theatre and more.

At the heart of our Catholicvision of education is recognition of whole child formation which encompasses performing arts alongside the spiritual and academic. We therefore, as a school, hold performing arts in the highest regard. The performing arts richlycontribute to liturgy within the school and we would expect the post holder to ensure that all performing arts disciplines contribute to worship.

The dance department is a thriving department with very successful results; Summer 2016 - GCSE - 100% A*-C / 60% A*-A. BTEC – 100% D*-M. A Level100% A*-B. The numbers opting for BTEC and GCSE are healthy and the ranges of courses offered are varied (BTEC,GCSE,AS and A Level dance). Pupils enjoy dance at key stage 3 and their experience of the subject is positive. All pupils study dance in year 7 and 8 (one hour per week). Key stage 4 dance begins in year 9 and there are currently two classes in year 9, 10 and 11. New specifications for GCSE, AS and A level dance have been introduced in 2016/2017 and the post holder would be encouraged to implement new strategies and relevant schemes of work that are reflective of these changes.

Facilities include; Theatre hall, Dance Studio, Drama studio, Music classrooms, music studio, theory classrooms and two practical spill out rooms.

General Tasks

The professional duties of a Teacher are defined in Part 12 of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document. They include:

  • Promoting the development of the abilities and aptitudes of pupils in any class or group assigned.
  • Planning and preparing courses and lessons.
  • Teaching the pupils assigned to him/her according to their educational needs, including the setting and marking of work carried out by those pupils.
  • Assessing, recording, and reporting on the development, progress and attainment of pupils.
  • Communicating and consulting with the parents of pupils.
  • Providing or contributing to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual and groups of pupils.
  • Participating in any arrangements within an agreed national framework for appraisal of performance.
  • Reviewing from time to time methods of teaching and programme of work.
  • Participating in arrangements for further training and professional development as a teacher as appropriate.
  • Taking all responsible steps to maintain good order and discipline among pupils and safeguarding health and safety on school premises and engaged in activities elsewhere.
  • Participating as appropriate in meetings at the school which relate to the curriculum, including pastoral arrangements, or the administration or organisation of the school.
  • Participating in arrangements as appropriate for preparing pupils for public examinations and assessment; recording and reporting such assessment and participating in arrangements for pupils; presentation for and supervision during such examinations.
  • Attending assemblies, registering the attendance of pupils and supervising pupils, whether those duties are to be performed before, during or after school sessions in accordance with school policies.

Head of Performing Arts Department Tasks

  • To lead, manage and develop performing arts and make an impact on the educational progress of pupils other than the teacher’s assigned classes or groups of pupils.
  • To lead, develop, mentor and enhance the teaching practice of other staff in performing arts
  • Plan for and promote a rich extra-curricular programme which encourages performance, leadership and creativity.
  • Lead on whole school performances.
  • To exercise line management responsibility for other subject staff within performing arts education and to be responsible within the subject area dance for:
  • Monitoring and evaluation of classroom teaching and learning.
  • Develop an extreme range of extra-curricular activities thereby raising the profile of dance within school
  • Working closely with all performing arts disciplines to further pupil engagement and progress.
  • Target setting and assessment procedures.
  • Performance management of department staff.
  • Departmental Self-Evaluation Report to senior staff/Governors.
  • Annual review of examination results with Principal
  • Selection of appropriate qualifications and syllabus.
  • Drafting and reviewing schemes of work.
  • Organising Department meetings in line with school calendar.
  • Represent Department at meetings with senior management.
  • Oversee Department reporting to parents.
  • Managing Department budget.
  • Implementation within Department of school policies.

Vacant post:

This is an excellent opportunity. The person appointed will be a well qualified, enthusiastic and experienced professional. The successful applicant will be a strong leader with proven experience of tackling staff under-performance.

Please note that all applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and that it is the responsibility of each member of staff to safeguard and promote the welfare of all young children he/she is responsible for and comes into contact with.

Thank you for showing an interest in this post. Please apply on the enclosed application form with a brief accompanying letter of application indicating why you believe you have the ability and skills required for the post. Marked for the attention of MrsK Hill, Chair of Academy Staffing Committee.

You are welcome to visit the school if you are interested in applying for this post.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 15th May 2017. The post is tenable fromSeptember 2017.

Only applicants who are short-listed for interview will be contacted.