Deputy Head - Creative Arts, Media & Performance

IRIS Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Deputy Head for Creative Arts, Media & Performance. Based in Chippenham, the successful candidate will manage faculty staff and contribute to curriculum strategy. Key responsibilities include improving student outcomes and fostering industry-ready skills. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in education and knowledge of the creative industries. This is a permanent, full-time position offering a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

37 days annual leave

Automatic enrollment into Teachers' Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Retail discounts

Free onsite car parking

Qualifications

• A strong track record in Art & Design, Music, or Creative Media Production.
• Experience in quality improvement and team leadership.
• Extensive teaching experience in an appropriate subject area.

Responsibilities

• Line manage faculty staff and support quality improvement.
• Contribute to curriculum planning and development.
• Teach in the area of Art & Design, Music, or Creative Media Production.

Skills

Passionate educator

Curriculum leadership

Inclusive practice

Knowledge of creative industries

Team development

Education

Level 3 qualification in relevant subject

Qualified teacher (Level 4 or above)

Job description

Overview

Deputy Head - Creative Arts, Media & Performance

Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire | Salary: £40,876 rising to £42,711 per annum (Deputy Head Grade 1 & 2) | Job Type: Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Closing Date: 30 September 2025 | Interview Date: 10 October 2025

About Us

Our client plays a vital role in Wiltshire's economy, inspiring people to develop the skills they need to achieve. Our campuses deliver a diversity of facilities across Lackham, Trowbridge, Salisbury and Chippenham. We have invested £65 million in our estate over the past 10 years, with a turnover of £45 million per annum and around 650 staff supporting approximately 11,500 students.

The Role

Specialism: Art & Design, Music, or Creative Media Production (TV, Film, Animation or Games).

We are seeking a dedicated and visionary Deputy Head to join our Creative Arts, Media & Performance Faculty at our Chippenham Campus. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking and established faculty, supporting the delivery of creative education across Art & Design, Music, and Creative Media Production.

As Deputy Head, you will play a pivotal role in shaping curriculum strategy, driving student outcomes, and fostering industry-ready skills. You will line manage lecturers and technicians on the Chippenham campus, liaising with other faculties and departments to ensure high-quality learning experiences and joined-up student support. You will also support the Head of Faculty in delivering quality assurance, staff development, and curriculum innovation, while maintaining a teaching commitment in your specialist area.

Faculty & Curriculum

The Faculty delivers ambitious, inclusive, and industry-responsive programmes from Level 1 to Level 6, including specialist pathways in Games Development, Music Performance & Production, Games Development and Film & Cinematography. We work with employers, universities, and community partners to ensure learners are equipped for progression into Higher Education and the creative industries.

Key Responsibilities

• Line manage faculty staff, undertake performance reviews and support quality improvement (QI).
• Contribute to curriculum planning, quality assurance, and staff development across the faculty.
• Support the Head of Faculty in strategic planning, operational delivery, and stakeholder engagement.
• Champion student progress and distance travelled, embedding spiral curriculum models and robust tracking.
• Drive personal development and industry-readiness through work experience (WEX), enrichment, and employer feedback.
• Teach in one of the following areas: Art & Design, Music, or Creative Media Production.

You & Requirements

What we are looking for:

• A passionate educator with a strong track record in one of the above disciplines.
• Experience in curriculum or course leadership, quality improvement, and team development.
• A commitment to inclusive practice and student-centred learning.
• Ability to inspire staff and students through innovation, collaboration, and high expectations.
• Strong understanding of the creative industries and progression pathways.

Essential Qualifications

• A minimum level 3 qualification in an appropriate subject and/or significant experience in a relevant area.
• A qualified teacher (Level 4 or above) with extensive teaching experience in an appropriate subject area.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 37 days annual leave for Deputy Head staff plus bank holidays and additional closure days over Christmas
• Automatic enrollment into the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPA)
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Discounts with a wide variety of retailers
• Free onsite car parking

Application Process

Our client follows Safer Recruitment Guidance outlined by the Department for Education in Keeping Children Safe in Education. This involves enhanced DBS checks, checks against the children's barred list, and other employment verifications, including an online presence review for shortlisted candidates. We embrace diversity and safeguarding, and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we pledge to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria and assess them on their abilities. To apply, please click Apply now.

Note: Your application will be shortlisted against how your skills, qualifications and experience match the Essential and Desirable points on the Person Specification. Vacancies may close early if sufficient applications are received; please submit your application as soon as possible. Closing date: 30 September. Shortlist date: 1 October. Interview date: 10 October.