Director of Learning - The Arts

LeighAcademiesTrust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Free virtual GP service

LAT benefits

Job summary

Leigh Academy Snowfields, part of Leigh Academies Trust, invites applications for a Director of Learning - The Arts. You will lead Art and Music across three Snowfields colleges, shaping a creative curriculum in a specialist ASD setting and empowering a dedicated team to deliver ambitious teaching.

The role blends strategic leadership with a focus on student wellbeing, inclusion, and high academic standards, offering progression opportunities within a trusted MAT.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Art and Music departments in a SEN setting.
• Ability to develop and implement a creative, inclusive arts curriculum.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to empower and develop a diverse team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Art and Music curricula across all Snowfields colleges.
• Drive strategic, high-quality teaching and learning in arts subjects.
• Build a collaborative culture among staff to raise attainment and wellbeing.

Skills

Curriculum leadership

Arts leadership

SEN/ ASD experience

Team leadership

Job description

MPS/UPS + TLR + SEN Allowance, with progression opportunities + Local Government Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits.

Please be aware that this role will be covering Bearsted, Cranbrook and Minster Colleges.

At Leigh Academy Snowfields, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of the barriers they may face. We are seeking a passionate, resilient, and inspirational Director of Learning - The Arts to join our team, leading our vibrant Art and Music curricula across all three Snowfields colleges.

This is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic leadership for our Art and Music departments, shaping a creative curriculum that inspires and engages all students. You will lead, develop, and empower a dedicated team of educators to deliver high-quality, ambitious teaching in both art and music.

Working within our specialist setting for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), your mission will be to ensure that the creative arts are used powerfully to build confidence, self-expression, and personal growth. You will foster an inclusive, supportive environment that carefully balances high academic standards with student wellbeing, ensuring every student has the tools and inspiration to thrive both creatively and personally.

Why Join Leigh Academy Snowfields at Cranbrook College?

• Lead meaningful change: Lead and oversee both the Art and Music curricula across all three Snowfields colleges, ensuring a cohesive, progressive, and exciting creative journey for our students.
• Outstanding Facilities: Teach in a modern, purpose-built environment designed to support high-quality SEN provision.
• Inclusive Culture: Work with a passionate and supportive team who share your commitment to inclusive education and celebrate every success, big or small.
• Professional Growth: Benefit from ongoing professional development and opportunities to shape innovative approaches to teaching within a forward-thinking academy trust.
• Meaningful Impact: Make a genuine difference in the lives of young people by helping them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Working with us at Leigh Academy Snowfields

Leigh Academy Snowfields is an Outstanding specialist school for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), offering a warm, inclusive, and aspirational environment across our Bearsted and Cranbrook campuses - with a brand new, purpose-built site opening in Minster, September 2025. Across all sites, our dedicated team empowers every student to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our approach blends care with ambition - Where Nurture Meets Aspiration - and is underpinned by our core values: Be Kind, Work Hard, Communicate, Stay Safe, and Be Happy. We offer small class sizes, highly personalised support, and a broad, balanced curriculum that includes GCSEs and vocational pathways. Our specialist facilities in catering, horticulture, and land-based studies prepare students for meaningful, independent futures.

Awarded Ofsted Outstanding, Snowfields is more than a school - it’s a collaborative and inspiring community where staff are valued, supported, and developed. Whether you're new to special education or an experienced practitioner, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking team making a real difference.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity

Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role involves regulated activity relevant to children, and it is a criminal offence for anyone barred from engaging in regulated activity with children to apply for this position.
We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates, and you can read more about our approach on our Careers site. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role, regardless of any protected characteristics, which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices, and not discriminating on any grounds.