Leader for Learning for Drama or Teacher for Drama

Leader for Learning for Drama or Teacher for Drama

Full-time / Fixed Term - Maternity Cover (1 year)

MPS - UPS £24,373 - £40,490 per annum

TLR2A £2795 

Relocation expenses available if applicable

 Would you like to be part of a rapidly expanding school as well as enjoy the benefits of our recent £7 million building project which has provided a new sports block, SEND centre, new corridors to ease movement around the school and a wonderful new library in the heart of the school?

Required for a December start, we invite applicants for either a Leader of Learning Drama or a Teacher of Drama for a department that consistently achieves outstanding outcomes at GCSE. Applications are welcome from both full time and part time candidates. This is a perfect opportunity to join the Creative Arts faculty of a high achieving school, which greatly values the creative subjects such as Drama within the curriculum. 

 The Drama Department 

Drama at Willingdon Community School aims to develop students’ skills as creative individuals, independent learners and effective group workers. The Drama curriculum builds distinct opportunities for students to develop key skills such as communication, negotiation, compromise and self-assertion. Students are encouraged to show confidence when speaking and their vocabulary is extended when they adopt roles and characters. Students will gain an understanding of subject-specific vocabulary and will also acquire the knowledge and skills they need to make very good progress at GCSE level. Those who wish to progress further in Drama are encouraged and supported to do so and receive an excellent grounding in related careers. We have high aspirations for our learners and build this in to all aspects of teaching and learning.

The Drama Department has a purpose-built and very well equipped Drama studio which is fully equipped with lighting and sound. The department consists of one full-time and 2 part-time teachers. Productions in recent years have included ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘School of Rock’, ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Alice’.

Students in KS3 receive one lesson each week, covering a broad curriculum designed to develop a thorough understanding of, and ability to use, a range of practical techniques. At KS4 students follow the AQA GCSE course and have four lessons a week. They study a set text, devise work based on a topic, and attend theatre trips. as well as preparing scripted and devised work for the end-of-year final practical exam.

The successful candidate:

We are looking for a suitably qualified and experienced graduate, ideally with a Drama or

Performing Arts degree, to teach Drama to all age groups in this thriving and popular department. The post is to cover a period of maternity leave lasting until at least July 2021. The post is a full-time. The department produces consistently excellent academic results and is renowned for its ambitious and innovative practical work.

Candidates should have excellent communication skills when working with young people and appropriate drive, expertise, and energy. The successful applicant would be expected to teach drama to all age groups, including GCSE classes, for which the ability to facilitate imaginative devising work and deliver academic set texts with a thorough understanding of a range of practitioners is essential. 

Extra-curricular activities are a popular aspect of the school amongst pupils and staff. The Drama Department plays a key role in this aspect of school life and we are reinforcing a growing reputation in the local community for being a school which produces productions of a very high standard and encourages a sense of professionalism amongst our young performers. A willingness to offer support to the extra-curricular and pastoral life of the School is expected, for instance, through supporting departmental theatre trips and school productions.

Willingdon Community School is a high-achieving and over-subscribed (NOR 1000), 11-16, comprehensive school serving the Eastbourne and Polegate area.  The school is committed to providing the opportunity for success, in its broadest sense, to all its students, taking pride in not just their academic achievement but in the qualities that make them successful citizens. Our ethos focuses on every staff member modelling personal excellence to the student body as well as being lifelong learners; owning their continual professional development. Examination results at GCSE are consistently high with students of all abilities making good progress and adding significant value, regardless of their starting point.  In 2019, 69% of students achieved the Basics Match and Progress was broadly in line with national expectations. 

The school is a leading member of a number of local educational groups and partnerships, such as the Eastbourne Schools Partnership (ESP) which brings many and varied learning opportunities to both teachers and students, particularly via our links with Eastbourne College.  We are a member of the SSAT and have excellent links with outstanding schools up and down the country.  These links bring cultural and intellectual capital to the school and enrich our CPD provision for staff at all levels.  

The CPD and talent management of our staff is given a very high priority as we believe this is a vitally important part of improving outcomes for young people as well as invigorating teachers` passion for their areas.  Willingdon is proud of its record in developing new teachers and on the quality of CPD more widely.  The school has an outstanding record for the quality and range of professional development opportunities it offers and takes pride in developing its staff as outstanding teachers and preparing them for the next steps in their careers.  As well as being supported through in-house programmes, aspiring leaders have access to: funded NPQ and Masters Qualifications; extended programmes in Durrington Research School; free access to the annual Research Ed conference in Kent; and leadership opportunities provided by the SSAT and ASCL.

Staff wellbeing is of paramount importance to us at Willingdon Community School.  If you are appointed, there will be a full induction day to ensure you are supported with the transition to your new role.  We offer all staff 50% off Benenden Health Care. We also run many events throughout the year such as staff fitness and Mindfulness sessions to enhance your work - life balance.  We believe that happy teachers make happy children and therefore do our utmost to support our staff. We offer mental health first aid to all staff which is a two day qualification. Willingdon also offer Employee Assist Programme through the county council, providing information, helpful resources and other services. There will be invitations to whole school social events such as our Christmas party which is subsidised as a thank you to staff, and other gatherings to celebrate success, and a free coffee machine is ready for you during break-time!

Willingdon Community School is committed to child protection/safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this duty of care. All applicants will be subject to safer recruitment procedures and will require satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

Closing Date: 8th October 2020 (by noon)

Interview details will be sent to shortlisted candidates only.

To apply for this post, please download and complete the application form from the school website: http://willingdonschool.org.uk/about-us/vacancies or, e-mail: recruitment@willingdonschool.org.uk