Teacher of Drama & Speech (part time)

The Grange Junior School are seeking to recruit a part time Teacher of Drama and Speech, term time only.

At the Grange Junior School, children are offered the opportunity to learn Drama and Speech from Year 3 onwards as an additional extra alongside the taught curriculum for all. Children are taught in pairs for a 30-minute session each week. This is a heavily oversubscribed programme, reflecting the high quality of its delivery and the many inherent benefits that children gain from studying Drama and Speech. 

At present, there are 114 children in Years 3 to 6 being taught weekly in pairs on the current programme, following the variety of qualifications being offered through Trinity College London. All the teaching is delivered in a small purpose-built Drama studio. This new role has arisen due to the departure of  our Drama and Speech Co-ordinator, from February 2021. 

Demand remains very high among our parents for additional Drama and Speech tuition and this position would suit anyone looking for 0.4 FTE (2 days/week).

There are abundant opportunities to get involved with Drama at the school, whether it is through the annual productions in Year 4 and 6 staged in The Grange Theatre (in 2019 we produced ‘The Lion King’) or one of the many celebratory events that we hold during our busy year. In Year 5, we have introduced taught Drama into the curriculum with all students following a 10-week programme, written and devised in-house. We also run a popular and over-subscribed Drama Club after school and have arranged theatre trips to the Storyhouse in Chester. 

The Role

The post offered is that of part-time Drama and Speech Teacher working term time only, ideally able to start from Monday 22nd February 2021 and no later than Monday 19th April 2021. Working in close collaboration with the Drama and Speech Coordinator,  you will have responsibility for the delivery of Drama and Speech lessons for 40 students from Years 3 to 6. You also have responsibilities to promote and support Drama within the wider life of the school. Should schools still be in a period of remote learning after February half term, the postholder would be expected to deliver remotely from home.

Responsibilities

Teaching and Learning

• Plan, organise and teach engaging, interesting and challenging Drama and Speech lessons for approximately 40 children each week. 

• Develop and evidence a range of Drama and Speech skills in those young people that you are teaching.

• Prepare children to undertake Trinity College Drama & Speech qualifications, on biannual basis.

• Assess and record the development of the children you teach, using the information where necessary to improve specific aspects of teaching and learning, setting clear targets, based on prior attainment, for childrens’ learning.

• Share the development and progress of children to their parents through brief written reports.

• Engage the children with opportunities to perform publicly including participation in external events such as the Alderley Edge Speech and Drama festival, Youth Speaks etc.

• Collaborate closely with the Drama and Speech Coordinator & Head of Music regarding the staging and delivery of musical theatre events.

• Support the Drama and Speech Coordinator & Head of Music in the leadership, preparation and management of annual musical theatre productions for all children in Year 4 and Year 6.

• Prepare children for speaking roles within events such as Harvest Festival, Easter Service etc.

• Liaise and consult with appropriate staff regarding learning, welfare and general progress of the children you teach.

• Ensure that IT is used effectively to support your role including the facility to teach children remotely via video calling.

Children’s Personal Development

• Be aware of and appreciate the individual strengths, personalities and needs of each child that you teach.

• Actively encourage and promote the success and achievement of every child in all its different ways using informal and formal means to do this.

• Share responsibility for the development of all children: their attitudes and behaviour within the school, particularly recognising the school’s Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies.

• Ensure that parents are regularly kept informed on relevant issues relating to their child and to respond to queries and requests in an appropriate and timely fashion.

• Support the integration of PSHE into the daily life of the children including the emphasis of our thematic assembly programme.

• Register children in accordance with the attendance procedures.

• Support the school’s House system and the participation of children in House enrichment activities.

Administrative

• Create simple but accurate timetables for the children you teach on an annual basis around core subject teaching provision and any specific requests.

• Prepare and submit exam entries of the children you teach within specified deadlines.

• File and maintain accurate records for all the children you teach including individual examination reports.

• Liaise and meet regularly with the Drama and Speech Coordinator to ensure effective planning and communication.

General

• Ensure that all school policies and procedures are adhered to.

• Actively promote the profile of Drama and Speech within the school including the regular publicity of the varied achievements of the children. 

• Attend and contribute to team and whole staff meetings as required.

• Work as a member of a whole staff team, positively and enthusiastically contributing to effective working relationships within the school.

• Attend Open Days, Reception Assessment, Prizegiving and other official school events as required.

• Contribute to the school’s enrichment programme, providing 30 minutes a week of a Drama-based activity within our busy and active programme e.g. Drama Club for Years 3&4

• Monitor the resources you use for maintenance and health and safety reasons.

• Address and report safety issues to relevant colleagues within the school and to undertake risk assessments and training where necessary.

• Undertake supervisory duties as stated in the “Staff Duty Rota”.

• Attend pre-term staff meetings and training days.

• Participate in the appraisal system for the development of your own performance, keeping abreast of professional developments relevant to you and the teaching of Drama.

• Be prepared to participate in educational visits.

To apply for the role of Teacher of Drama & Speech at The Grange Junior School please write a letter of application, to support a fully completed application form and names of two referees to:

The closing date for applications is Monday 1st February at 12.00pm.  Interviews will be held the same week on Friday 5th February so applicants should ensure they are available on that date, including potential availability to attend an on-site interview.