Havering Schools Jobs
Head of Department - Drama
- Employer: St Edward’s Church of England Academy
- Reference: SCH/26/336582
UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
St Edward's Church of England Academy
London Road, Romford, Essex RM7 9NX
Tel. 01708 730462
Email: info@steds.org.uk
www.steds.org.uk
Headteacher: Ms Jodie Hassan
Head of Department - Drama
Contract Hours: Full Time
Salary: MPR/UPR (FTE: £37,870 - £56,154 per annum) + TLR2c (£8,611 per annum)
Contract Term: Permanent
Start Date: September 2026
As St Edward’s Church of England Academy continues to grow and flourish, we are delighted to invite applications for an inspirational Head of Drama to lead a vibrant and creative department. Drama holds a vital place in our curriculum, empowering students to express themselves, develop confidence and engage deeply with the world around them. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a Drama curriculum that nurtures creativity, collaboration and personal growth. We recognise the emotional and professional demands of leadership roles and are committed to supporting staff wellbeing.
At St Edward’s, we work hard — but thoughtfully — ensuring workload is manageable and leaders feel supported, trusted and valued. The successful candidate will:
• Lead, shape and develop an ambitious Drama curriculum
• Inspire high quality teaching and creative practice
• Promote performance, enrichment and wider participation
• Build a culture of confidence, expression and mutual respect
• Support and develop colleagues within the department
• Contribute to whole school leadership and community life
• Share our vision of helping every student live life in all its fullness
This role is perfect for someone who believes deeply in the transformative power of the arts and wants to lead with purpose, compassion and ambition. As part of the Unity Schools Partnership, we offer:
• A wide range of CPD opportunities (both in school and beyond)
• Opportunities for career progression (including the opportunity to participate in the Trust’s Leadership Development Programme)
• A supportive working environment.
• We can offer you excellent career development in a supportive environment.
• We are situated in Romford within easy travel and road links to both London and Essex.
If you would like an informal discussion about the post, or you would like to visit the school, please contact the Maria Driscoll (Headteacher’s PA) on info@steds.org.uk. We look forward to receiving your application. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks required for relevant posts.
To apply, please use the following link: https://candidate.unitysp-careers.co.uk/310982UTY
Closing date: 9:00am, 11th May 2026
Interviews: From Wednesday 13th May 2026
Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.
In line with safer recruitment, we are unable to accept CVs. Failure to complete an application form satisfactorily may result in not being shortlisted for the post.
Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safer recruitment, equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.
We care deeply about inclusive working practices and diverse teams. If you’d prefer to work part-time or as a job-share, we’ll facilitate this wherever we can – whether to help you meet other commitments or to help you strike a great work-life balance. We’re keen to ensure we’re designing an organisation that works for everyone, so we particularly encourage applications from different under-represented groups.
Unity Schools Partnership, welcoming diversity.
Havering Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The protection of our pupils from abuse is the responsibility of all staff within our schools, superseding any other considerations. Therefore Havering Schools comply with the Department for Education ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance.
It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to submit, prior to their interview, a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Upon submission of this information, online checks may be carried out.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; the successful applicant will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from obtaining a position with the School.
Equal OpportunitiesHavering Schools aim to promote and ensure equality of opportunity and equal treatment for all. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment regardless of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origins, disabilities, age, sexual orientation, responsibility for dependants, religious or political affiliation and trade union activities. All matters related to employment are decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.
How to apply
Please apply via the following application link:
https://candidate.unitysp-careers.co.uk/310982HSJ