Head of Arts

Hilden Grange School is a co-educational preparatory day school for children aged 3-13 years. We have a thriving community and pride ourselves on our friendly atmosphere, outstanding teaching, impressive examination success, thriving sports and vibrant extra-curricular activities.

Our children are encouraged and given every opportunity to develop enquiring minds and self reliance. Our excellent teaching staff teach their specialist subjects in small classes and are expert at motivating and stimulating their pupils.

The school has access to more than twenty acres of attractive grounds, on the northern fringe of Tonbridge, Kent including a dedicated Drama studio.

We are are looking to recruit a Head of Arts from January 2025. This is a part time role of 22.5 hours per week. The Head of Arts at Hilden Grange is responsible for overseeing the running of the department as well as teaching Drama across the school. This role also offers the opportunity to teach Art to the Key Stage 2 children.

Key Responsibilities:

• To oversee the running of the department in line with school policy
• To provide support and advice to members of the department and instill the aims and objectives of the department and the school
• To teach and manage the drama curriculum throughout the school, including the development and monitoring of LTPs and MTPs within the department
• To be responsible for the yearly Prep School production and Pre-Prep nativity
• Contribute to raising standards of attainment by preparing and teaching stimulating lessons of a high standard and according to pupils’ needs
• Follow programmes of study, carrying out necessary assessments, keeping required records and monitoring pupils in accordance with agreed department and school policies
• Facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides pupils with the opportunity to develop self-esteem and interpersonal skills.
• Review, monitor and evaluate own practice, ensuring that teaching is academically rigorous, innovative and creative and provide feedback to the SLT.
• Contribute to and enrich the extra-curricular programme.
• Follow all codes of practice in relation to the school’s Behaviour, Discipline and Exclusion policy and pastoral care ethos.
• Ensure the well-being of all pupils by following health and safety regulations including the reporting of accidents.
• Prepare school reports and reports for external agencies as requested by the Head or SLT.
• Keep informed of current developments within the relevant subject curriculum.
• To manage the departmental budget
• To manage department resources
• To attend Creative Arts departmental meetings regularly and jointly provide minutes of the meeting
• To lead departmental evaluations and contribute to whole school evaluation and development planning
• To attend HOD meetings
• To assist in the induction of new members of staff within the department
• To perform any reasonable task at the request of the Head

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

Qualifications –

Teacher qualification together with Qualified Teacher Status

Honours degree in a relevant subject

Experience –

Experience of teaching pupils in this age range

An understanding of the Kent 11+ system and public school examination systems including scholarship examinations

Experience of working in the independent sector would be beneficial

Skills –

Use an appropriate range of teaching and learning strategies

A confident and competent user of IT

Good organisational skills

Good interpersonal skills/effective communicator

Knowledge –

Subject knowledge sufficient to challenge able students and achieve high outcomes

A good understanding of curricular developments

Personal competencies & Qualities -

A strong commitment to effective learning and teaching

Determination to ensure that every pupil fulfils their potential at whatever level

To be prepared to enter fully and whole-heartedly into the life of the school

Evidence of being a strong team member

Enthusiasm and a positive outlook

Positive attitude towards professional development and their own learning

To understand the importance of providing equal opportunities with regard to the religious persuasion, racial origins, gender, disabilities, cultural or linguistic background of all children