Head of Performance (Music & Drama) - Full-time

Orchards Academy, Swanley

• Ref:KCC886-4031-269T
• Posted:28/04/2026
• Pay:MPS/UPS (London Fringe Allowance) + TLR
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:20/05/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:Rolling basis

Advert

We don’t just have new buildings; we have a new vision. We are seeking a pioneer to step into this brand-new role and breathe life into our incredible new performance spaces. 

If you are a curriculum architect and a natural leader who can turn a blank canvas into a standing ovation, we want to meet you. 

Are you ready to build a legacy? This is a brand-new, pivotal role created to transform the creative heartbeat of our school. We have invested heavily in our future, and we are looking for an ambitious, visionary leader to take the reins of our Performing Arts department. With amazing, state-of-the-art new facilities- the stage is literally set. We just need the right person to lead the show. 

As our first Head of Performance, you won’t just be managing a department; you will be designing the curriculum from the ground up. You will oversee both Music and Drama, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and inclusivity. Your mission is to grow our existing team, inspire our students, and significantly expand our KS4 offer to ensure Performing Arts is a premier choice for our Key Stage 4 cohorts.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we find the right candidate.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

Information about the school

Orchards Academy aims to provide a caring yet challenging curriculum and environment in which the talents of each student are nurtured and enabled to flourish.

As a small school we quickly develop a strong sense of belonging. This strong sense of community allows students to grow personally and academically as they trust and feel supported by a staff body that knows them well. This results in a calm, orderly and purposeful atmosphere where students enjoy their learning, make good progress and feel safe.

We aim to work with students, parents and the wider community to provide a safe, supportive and stimulating learning environment where high expectations and levels of challenge enable our students to achieve academically, socially and emotionally so they can make a positive contribution to society.

Working for TKAT- Leadership within TKAT schools require passion, understanding, empathy and above all, a genuine love for the profession. Our role is to support you by giving you the flexibility to work how and when you need to; to open up opportunities to develop your career; to take care of your wellbeing at work; to enable you to flourish as an individual and to offer the kind of rewards you can only find from improving the prospects and life chances for literally thousands of children and young people.

Flexible working- TKAT recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. In TKAT we promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.

Our Commitment- Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging At TKAT, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Olivia Couzins
• Address:Orchards Academy , St Marys Road , Swanley , Kent, BR8 7TE
• Telephone: 01322 665231
• Email: olivia.couzins@orchards-tkat.org