Teacher of Drama (Maternity)

The Balcarras Trust; Leckhampton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The High School Leckhampton, part of The Balcarras Trust, seeks a Drama specialist to cover maternity leave from January 2027. You will hit the ground running, preparing GCSE Drama for its students.

The role requires strong subject knowledge and the ability to integrate drama with broader school life. You will join a collaborative team and lead Drama initiatives, ensuring high-quality teaching and substantial student progress as the department grows.

Qualifications

• Outstanding knowledge and understanding of Drama.
• Excellent classroom practice in teaching GCSE Drama (AQA).
• Ability to teach English to KS3 and GCSE.
• Demonstrates high standards of professional conduct.
• Ability to establish and lead a team.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Supportive of the school's ethos and department.

Responsibilities

• Teaching drama at KS3 and KS4 (including 1 Year 11 GCSE group and 1 Year 10 GCSE group).
• Ensure Drama curriculum is implemented with outstanding progress for all pupils.
• Ensure Drama teaching is engaging, appropriately challenging and progress-focused.
• Provide feedback to parents at Parents' evenings and in reports.
• Stay updated on pedagogical developments in Drama to ensure effectiveness.
• Implement the department's policies (Assessment & Homework).
• With the exams officer, check exam entries.
• Order resources using the department budget.
• Maintain materials, equipment and Health & Safety standards.
• Keep Drama displays engaging and up-to-date.
• Maintain positive behaviour in lessons and manage disciplinary matters.
• Organise a rich programme of extra-curricular opportunities.
• Support the annual School Production (February 2027 – Beauty and The Beast).
• Collaborate with Operations Manager to maintain Drama facilities (lighting and sound).
• Lead extension, revision and intervention programmes.
• Be a role model for staff and pupils.
• Respond to enquiries from pupils, parents and staff about Drama.
• Contribute to the school website, newsletters and publications to raise Drama's profile.
• Represent Drama at Open Evenings and promote it school-wide.

Skills

Outstanding knowledge of Drama

Excellent classroom practice in GCSE

English teaching to KS3/GCSE

Lead a team

Professional development

School ethos

Safeguarding understanding

Job description

CONTRACT TERM:

Maternity cover – from January 2027

RESPONSIBLE TO:

The Deputy Headteacher (Curriculum, Teaching & Learning), The High School Leckhampton (Part of The Balcarras Trust)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Applications are invited for the position of Teacher of Drama for The High School Leckhampton, from January 2027. This is a uniquely privileged opportunity for the right candidate to play a pivotal role in teaching Drama whilst the current Curriculum Lead is on maternity leave.

The successful applicant will be expected to quickly familiarise themselves with the existing culture, ethos and practices of the subject and the school that have been established since we opened in September 2021. The person fortunate enough to be appointed to the post will need to be sufficiently experienced so that they can ‘hit the ground running,’ as they will be joining the school in January as the sole teacher preparing our Drama students for their forthcoming GCSE. Consequently, they should be able to confidently teach the AQA syllabus.

We see it as of paramount importance to appoint the right person to join a very successful − and happy – teaching staff that is already notable for its particularly strong emphasis on teamwork and mutual support. The successful candidate should have a keen appreciation of the school’s ambitious ethos and an understanding of how academic study and scholarship, pastoral care and extra-curricular activities contribute equally within it.

Our new state of the art school building brings with it many fantastic facilities, including performance spaces in a wonderful school Hall (with retractable seating for over 400), a Drama Studio and an Activities Studio.

Above all else, the appointed candidate will share our ambition that provision of Drama at the High School Leckhampton is second to none. They will be a superbly capable teacher, and be as motivated, creative, and dedicated as the inaugural team of staff who have already worked so passionately to bring our school to life.

Key Responsibilities

• Teaching drama at KS3 and KS4 (including 1 Year 11 GCSE group and 1 Year 10 GCSE group)
• Ensuring the Drama curriculum is consistently implemented and consistent with The High School Leckhampton’s commitment to outstanding progress for all pupils
• Ensure that Teaching and Learning in Drama is consistently engaging, appropriately challenging, and suitably adapted so that all pupils make excellent progress, regardless of their starting point
• Feed back to parents at Parents’ evenings and in written reports
• Keep abreast of pedagogical developments in the teaching of Drama so that teaching is highly effective
• Implement the department’s Assessment Policy and Homework Policy
• With the exams officer, check exam entries
• Ordering resources using the department budget
• Ensure the materials, equipment and fabric of the Department are well maintained and relevant Health and Safety Regulations are observed
• Ensure Drama displays are engaging, up to date and bring the subject to life for the pupils
• Ensure positive behaviour in lessons and deal appropriately with any disciplinary matters
• Organise a rich programme of extra-curricular opportunities for all pupils, including theatre visits, other educational visits, and relevant trips
• Support our annual School Production (February 2027 – Beauty and The Beast)
• Work closely with the Operations Manager and Lettings Assistant to ensure all Drama facilities, including lighting and sound, are maintained to the highest standard
• Lead extension, revision, and intervention programmes in a timely and effective manner
• Act as a role model for staff and pupils
• Respond to all pupil, parental and staff enquiries relating to Drama
• Contribute to the school website, newsletters, and other publications so that Drama has a high profile across the school and amongst the wider parental community
• Represent the subject and promote it at Open Evenings, ensuring the subject has a high profile amongst pupils and staff

The above responsibilities are in addition to the responsibilities and duties outlined in the School’s standard job description for a Teacher. These responsibilities are also subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in the documents that constitute the Teacher Contract of Employment and letter of appointment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate evidence of the following skills, qualifications, and experience:

• Have an outstanding knowledge and understanding of Drama
• Be able to demonstrate excellent classroom practice in teaching AQA Drama at GCSE
• Be able to teach English to at least KS3 and preferably to GCSE
• Demonstrate the very highest standards of professional conduct
• Be able to establish and lead a team
• Be committed to his/her own professional development
• Be supportive of the ethos of the school and department
• An understanding of the nature and value of comprehensive education and the challenges of establishing a new school
• Commitment to the paramount importance of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

It is the policy of The High School Leckhampton to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals; to prohibit discrimination in employment on any basis protected by applicable law, including but not limited to race, colour, religious creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, medical condition, or disability. The High School Leckhampton promotes equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment through positive employment policies and practices. If any special requirements are needed to attend an interview, please inform the school.

SAFEGUARDING

The post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Safeguarding Policy and Procedures at all times.

Please note that all appointments are subject to the Balcarras Trust Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedures.