Teacher of Drama

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our growing and innovative Performing Arts team. We are looking for someone who is passionate about Drama and the Performing Arts; able to teach engaging lessons that will enable students to appreciate the importance of the subject and develop the skills they need for life. Additionally, The Westgate School recognises the importance of nurturing self-esteem and confidence in young people and providing opportunities for our students to showcase their growth in these areas in front of their peers and caregivers.

In Years 7, 8 and 9, students study all Performing Art disciplines with a pathway into the Drama GCSE course. The Drama Department prides itself on delivering a newly invigorated, engaging and rich curriculum which fully prepares all Key Stage 3 and 4 students to undertake the rigour of the GCSE course; providing students with a life-long passion for the Arts.

As a highly popular and growing department, GCSE classes are at full capacity and make excellent progress. Progress 8 scores see the Department enable students to achieve their personal best in the delivery of a bespoke curriculum for all.

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

+0.18 +0.05 +0.75 +0.25 +0.24

Under new leadership, the departments vision is to further expand the curriculum by offering Drama and Theatre at KS5.

Our Performing Arts Department prides itself on a culture of collaboration and teamwork. The Drama Department specifically support the school community in their extra-curricular offering. Activities such as Drama Club are showcased in regular Performing Arts events held throughout the school calendar year. There is room for growth in this area, and the successful candidate should be passionate about encouraging student experience outside the Drama classroom. The Performing Arts Department has a legacy of whole school production offerings in collaboration with other departments across the school. Successful past shows include: DNA, Bugsy Malone and a hybrid production including a variety of well known titles.

To support our events offering the department is equipped with a black box Drama studio, with a fully integrated sound system and lighting rig. In addition, our Main Hall features a stage and backstage area, a fully integrated sound system and lighting rig. This space is a flexible resource and is often used to support Performing Arts lessons and workshops.

Our Drama Department has links with numerous Theatre companies to enable us to offer bespoke workshops to students across Years 7-11 to further support what is offered inside and outside of the curriculum. This, alongside regular trip experiences to see live theatre ensure that opportunities for students really do further add value to their learning experience at our school.

Continual professional development within the school and department is excellent with some of our Performing Arts teachers having progressed to the Senior Leadership Team; including our current Assistant Headteacher. In addition, the Westgate School strongly encourages colleagues to participate on the NPQ scheme with one member of staff currently undertaking the NPQSL course. We collaborate with other secondary schools in Slough in order to maximise on the learning and growth opportunity to ensure the drive for outstanding practice never stops.

The Westgate School is heavily oversubscribed and our Sixth Form continues to expand due to the strong reputation our school has within Berkshire and the local community. We believe that #betterneverstops and are continuing to make our school not only an ‘Outstanding’ place to learn, but an amazing place to work. 

As part of our commitment to driving positive change, we are overstaffing in each department and giving our teaching staff additional PPA to ensure that they have more time to invest in our students’ learning, are afforded the time and space to continue their professional development and maintain a healthy work/life balance. Consequently, we are looking for talented individuals to enhance the quality of education at our school. 

For further information please refer to the attached application information and we would also strongly encourage visits to the school, to see why The Westgate School is an outstanding school. Please email Mrs Venturini on sv@westgate.slough.sch.uk to arrange a visit.

We look forward to receiving your application for our vacancy.

We reserve the right to interview prior to the closing date if suitable applications are received. You will only be contacted if you are successful in our shortlisting process.