Head of Education

OAT Futures; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary tickets to productions

Reduced-price tickets for local arts organizations

Job summary

A creative education organization in Birmingham is seeking a Head of Education to lead impactful educational programmes. You'll collaborate with schools, colleges, and universities while managing creative learning initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a background in education and proven leadership in drama facilitation. This full-time role requires a passion for community engagement and collaboration within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering drama or theatre activities.
• Leadership experience in educational settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead education programmes across schools and colleges.
• Manage creative learning initiatives from early years to outreach projects.
• Support and provide leadership to drama practitioners.

Skills

Drama facilitation

Programme design

Creative learning leadership

Collaboration

Community engagement

Education

Background in education

Job description

Head of Education with expertise in drama facilitation, programme design, and creative learning leadership.

• Leads education programmes across schools, colleges, and universities, ensuring strong partnerships with the theatre.
• Manages and develops creative learning initiatives, from early years drama to large scale outreach projects.
• Provides leadership and support to drama practitioners, fostering collaboration, innovation, and community engagement.

What I really love about my job is that it’s impactful. I love that we support schools, curricula, and help young people to find their voice. They don’t have to aspire to be famous actors – drama is for everyone – and I want to make sure it’s seen as a necessity, not just a privilege.

In terms of perks of working here, we receive complimentary tickets to see our productions and reduced‑price tickets for other local arts organisations. This keeps us aware of what’s happening in Birmingham, what’s exciting, and what we can recommend.

Hello, my name is Becky. I’m Head of Education, part of the Creative Learning team at Birmingham Rep. My role is to oversee all the education programmes the Rep delivers, ranging from schools to colleges and universities. I ensure we maintain strong connections between these settings and the theatre.

I began as a Drama Practitioner, which required a background in education and experience delivering drama or theatre activities. I first applied for a role as an Education Officer in 2018. I wasn’t successful initially, but after doing freelance work here, I reapplied and secured the role. I became a Senior Drama Practitioner in 2021 after designing and developing an early years programme, then Deputy Head of Education in 2023, and finally Head of Education in 2024.

My schedule is full‑time, 39 hours per week, Monday to Friday. However, there is often evening and weekend work, so I either work overtime or adjust my schedule.

The working environment is really supportive. Our departmental team is close‑knit: we hold weekly meetings and termly social events, such as a 12‑mile hike around Cannock Chase last October to celebrate community work. Drama Practitioners spend much of the week delivering in schools, so we make a real effort to be in the building on Fridays to share practice and troubleshoot ideas. Across the wider organisation, we also have staff away days and social events, which help build connections. Working in a theatre encourages people to be open and friendly, and making genuine efforts to get to know colleagues ensures you always have support when needed.

In terms of inspiration to enter the role, I’m quite different from many people in the theatre world, because a...

Tags

Creative Education Project management Teaching Youth social action