MPS/UPS

Full Time, Permanent

January 2025

8 November 2024

Drama is taught through all key stages. We are looking for the inspirational candidate who will lead the subject, focusing on strengthening the good foundations that are already in place. This will include developing the curriculum and the super curriculum to ensure that Drama is a subject of choice, with students making strong progress and that it is integral to the development of students’ wider development as young creative citizens of the future. You will support the development of teaching and learning within the subject, which is part of the Performing Arts Team and play a significant part, as a leader, in supporting the development of the school’s culture and climate. We believe everyone is equal, everyone deserves the best.
Applicants do not need to be practising Christians, but would be expected to uphold our Christian principles of trust, forgiveness, compassion, thankfulness, friendship and love, as well as our vision where, ‘Through God’s love, we are the rich soil where seeds flourish and roots grow’.
In line with this vision, we are committed to developing you in the role, both in the short term through a supportive induction programme, and in the long term through Leadership CPD (e.g. NPQML or NPQSL).
The school has a well-designed, ambitious curriculum. This is evident in the good quality of pupils’ learning demonstrated in lessons and in their books. Pupils live up to leaders’ expectations of their behaviour. Pupils follow the well-established routines in lessons and usually focus on learning. Pupils are proud of their school.
Ofsted October 2023
St Mary’s CE High School is one of three church secondary schools in Hertfordshire, all of which are within the Diocese of St Albans. The school is well recognised in the local community for its high-quality provision and outstanding inclusion agenda.
“An exceptionally inclusive and caring community”
SIAMS January 2020
Please submit a letter of application focussing on your professional experience in the above elements on no more than two sides of A4 (font size 10 or larger) and a completed application form.
St Mary’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to undertake online safeguarding training and all positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Two references will be sought for every candidate that is called for interview. St Mary’s is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Application Deadline: 9am on Friday 8th November 2024.
Interviews: TBC – we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates ahead of the deadline.

At St Mary’s, Cheshunt, the Governors believe that staff are the most important resource in the delivery of a high quality education provision for children and young people. The recruitment of high quality staff is critical to the success of a high performing school.
Our School is in a very strong position having been judged to be GOOD by Ofsted in October 2023. The report says

• Pupils live up to leaders’ expectations of their behaviour. Pupils follow the well-established routines in lessons and usually focus on learning.
• Pupils behave well and treat each other with kindness.
• The school has a well-designed, ambitious curriculum. This is evident in the good quality of pupils’ learning demonstrated in lessons and in their books.
• Pupils speak enthusiastically about their learning from the educational visits to local, national, and international sites of interest.
• Pupils are proud of their school.

All members of staff – whether working in the classroom or in the non-classroom based support teams – are valued equally and each has a part to play in working together to achieve success . Our recent successes and continued improvement profile can be attributed to our work as a team and recognition that we all contribute to support of all students and their families. This makes for an effective and efficient school, where students from all backgrounds are supported to make good progress.
Staff wellbeing is valued and an important aspect of work at St Mary’s and this is recognised in our recent inspection reports. The wellbeing of staff is important because staff are expected to work very hard and to maintain very high standards at all times. In return staff are well supported, provided with effective and regular training and high quality performance appraisal. In addition, the governors are committed to providing teaching staff with increased non contact time to support high quality planning and assessment for learning. Staff feedback tells us that staff are made to feel very welcome at St Mary’s and that there is an excellent culture of peer and collaborative support.
The staffing structures of the School provide clear opportunities to support progression and professional development. A member of the senior leadership team is responsible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and programmes to support staff at all stages of their career and aspiration.