Drama Teacher (part time 0.5FTE)

Sutton Grammar School (selective 960 students) is looking for an enthusiastic teacher of drama to replace the drama teaching currently provided by one of the school’s assistant headteachers who is leaving us in the summer to move to USA.

We value drama at the school very much, both as a subject in the curriculum where it gets dedicated periods throughout years 7-9 and as an optional subject at GCSE and A-level.  This is a chance to work with an experienced leader of drama in an established subject at a school rated outstanding by Ofsted.  Sutton Grammar School has extremely able and well behaved pupils and a low turnover of staff. Applications are welcomed from enthusiastic drama teachers who can deliver interesting lessons and who are committed to continuous development. We would envisage you sharing the A-level classes with the Director of Drama and a number of groups from year 7-11. The total periods available is about a half timetable although this could be increased slightly with other contributions such as citizenship, games etc if desired. Mention other subjects and skills that you have in your application – a drama only post of 0.5FTE is available, other elements would be by negotiation. There is another part time business post currently being advertised although it would be a miracle if drama and business were two interests of the same teacher.

Drama facilities:

We have two Drama Studios which are equipped with both sound systems and stage lighting; one with the OPUS sound and lighting system which uses a portable desk to control the LEDs and sound equipment and the other containing a fully equipped fixed lighting rig and sound board/PA system. By having both spaces we are able to offer the opportunity of smaller, more intimate performances as well as larger, more technical ones.

Extra – curricular Drama:

Each year it has been customary that the lower school student produce a public performance and this has ranged from taking part in The Shakespeare Schools Festival, enabling the students to perform in a professional theatre setting , to last years performance of ‘The Grimm Tales’ in our own Drama Studio. There is also a biennial Musical which has typically been a joint venture with Sutton High School but is now moving to a solo Sutton Grammar School performance next year.

Our House Drama competition is the highlight of the House Cup and involves the collaboration of a team of Year 9 Directors and Producers leading a cast of Lower School performers in a short play which rivals their peers. This is a competition which encourages a great deal of involvement from Lower School students and furthers the interest and excitement in the subject.

In previous years we have taken part in The Old Vic School’s Club and this is an initiative that I am keen to continue.

Theatre trips happen half termly for A Level students and offer them the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of theatrical styles and directing. 

There is an Upper School trip to New York which is arranged biennially and enables the students to witness theatre on Broadway as well as immersing themselves in the culture the city. 

LAMDA is offered as an opportunity available to all students to further improve their chosen performance skill. 

We currently use the Eduqas A690 A-level syllabus and the OCR J316  GCSE syllabus.

Drama Results in 2018

(GCE A-level)                         A*  A    B    C     D    E    U     Entries

Eduqas A690                        2     3     4     1     0     0    0          10

(GCSE)
OCR J316                              4     5     6     9     5    0     0          29

There are numerous opportunities for staff to take part in other aspects of school life and it is our general expectations that colleagues would be keen to do so.  However, candidates should note that our principal requirement for this post is for a strong teacher of drama at GCSE and A-level. Teachers want part time work for a variety of reasons – returning after a break, to share teaching with a performing or drama coaching career, etc and we would look at any interesting people carefully.