Teacher of Drama and Music (Part time 0.4 FTE)

TEACHER OF DRAMA AND MUSIC (PART TIME 0.4 FTE)

Owing to exciting developments and continued growth we are looking to appoint a resilient, ambitious, creative and committed teacher to support the young people of the Academy.

Music

The Music Department is a creative and dedicated subject where we provide students with skills and knowledge ready for a modern-day music. The department is currently staffed by one full time teacher with visiting peripatetic teachers throughout the week. Music is well funded and consists of four practice rooms, one Mac suite, a recording studio/radio station and a performance classroom. We aim to give all music students experience of both live music and studio-based practice.

Through Music we:

• set high expectations for all learners and staff alike, recognising and celebrating achievements;

• develop learners’ basic theoretical skills to enable them to become confident musicians and to take responsibility for their own prosperity;

• develop learners into considerate, confident, ambitious and motivated individuals;

• use music technology to develop independent learning skills and enrich learners’ learning experience;

• provide an inclusive and differentiated curriculum that develops learners socially, morally, spiritually and culturally;

• identify opportunities to advance students’ literacy levels;

and

• create a positive learning ethos in which staff and learners feel supported and cared for.

The Key Stage 3 Music Curriculum is a three-year course between Years 7 to 9, with the aim of giving students the opportunity to explore music through live performance and composition. Students make use of their iPads and the vast number music technology apps available to them. A range of instruments are offered in Key Stage 3 for students to explore and develop a practical skillset. Music theory is an important aspect across the curriculum and this is weaved throughout the three years in all units.

Key Stage 4 students commence the Eduqas GCSE Music course from Year 10 through to Year 11. The Music course encourages a well-rounded skillset of composing, performing and analysing music. Students have even more opportunities to use music technology throughout the course as we move from iPads onto Mac computers and utilise the academy recording studio. During our performance unit students learn the vital skills needed to become both a solo performer and as part of an ensemble.

Each unit is taught in depth and places a heavy focus on applying theoretical concepts to what professional musicians know and do every day. The final end of course exam is a listening paper where students are tested on their theory and understanding of Music.

In the Sixth Form, Music is offered as a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Music Performance. There are three core modules (Practical Theory & Harmony, Ensemble Performance and Professional Practice in the Music Industry) with the final module being chosen from a number of options. The approach of the BTEC course is entirely vocational and simulates real world experiences of performers, technicians, composers and industry folk.  Throughout the course students take responsibility for their projects and become young professionals getting a taste for the industry as a whole.

Extra-curricular provision includes weekly peripatetic lessons where students can learn Drums, Guitar, Piano, Voice and Harp. Throughout the week, both in lunchtimes and after the academy day, students can access Ukulele Orchestra, Choir and Rock Band.

Drama

The Drama Department teaches KS3 Drama twice within the fortnightly timetable and is a popular KS4 and KS5 option. There are two full time members of staff in the department plus a visiting LAMDA teacher. Both members of staff are Drama school trained and the rigour placed on academic content, professional standards and life long learning through Drama and theatre is paramount to the departments success.

There are a range of themes, genres and styles of theatre taught within a specialist black studio box teaching space.  Students have a versatile space allowing various stage formations to be created. Within the summer months students are also taught on the outdoor amphitheatre space and many site specific locations within the Academy site are utilised. Technical Theatre is a major strength of the department (with the current Director of Learning for Expressive Arts being a Drama teacher with a design background) and consequently the curriculum from KS4 onwards has production and acting pathways, through the OCR GCSE Drama specification. Post 16 the department offers IBDP Theatre.

The department has strong local community links with Trinity Theatre, the Assembly Halls and Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival. The Academy is also the West Kent venue for Open Drama UK’s networking.

The department is very pleased to have students gain technical theatre places with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and recent students have been successful in gaining unconditional offers for top Drama schools.

We offer:

• An exciting and vibrant place of work
• Gym Facilities
• Local Authority Reward Scheme
• High Quality Continued Professional Development