Teacher of English and Drama

We seek a classroom teacher for a permanent post. Applicants need a genuine interest in teaching English and Drama, and must be able to engage our highly motivated & capable students. The successful candidate can expect to teach at KS3 and KS4, with the possibility of also teaching KS5. 

Teaching: up to 90% contact time with 10% PPA time (or pro-rata if part time). ECTs will have a 10% reduction in their teaching load and one hour a fortnight contact time with a subject mentor.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

The work of the Subject Teacher will be judged against the National Standards for Teachers at the appropriate level. Each teacher will have an annual appraisal in accordance with the school’s appraisal policy.

Teachers in both departments are highly motivated, well-qualified specialists working in an innovative and supportive environment. This post would suit an Early Career Teacher or someone with more experience. Post holders will be expected to undertake appropriate CPD activities, as required.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

At Key Stage 3, students are taught in tutor groups of about 30. The schemes of work are structured broadly in termly units, with built-in formative and summative assessments. The ability to contribute to the development of schemes of work, as the department responds to new initiatives and curriculum changes is vital to our collaborative approach to continually improving the curriculum.

At Key Stage 4, students are taught in seven teaching groups of about 26. They prepare for GCSEs in English and English Literature, following the Edexcel specifications. Currently there are 3 groups in Year 12 and 2 groups in Year 13 following A Level Edexcel courses in English Literature and 2 groups in each year studying English Language.

All English teaching rooms are located in a block and equipped with data projectors. All teachers are provided with a laptop. There are several rooms available across the school for whole-class use of computers. The department also makes full use of a well-stocked school library and we offer a wide range of extra-curricular clubs and support groups. Students in all year groups have had the opportunity to take part in public speaking competitions and to enter their written work in national writing competitions. Students visit a variety of stage productions of relevance to their English courses.

DRAMA DEPARTMENT

In Year 7 students have Drama once a week in their form groups. This moves to one lesson a fortnight in Year 8 and 9. The schemes of work have been developed within the department to form the basis of our Drama learning journey and each year students will study one unit on devising, one using a set text and one exploring a particular point in theatrical history and development.

Moving to KS4 our GCSE uptake is enthusiastic and healthy with students following the WJEC (Eduqas) specification. Students explore working with three key practitioners in devising and continue to develop script work skills established in KS3. Our set text for the written component is Macbeth which is also taught in English. A Level Drama and Theatre (Eduqas) is team-taught with our colleagues at Aylesbury Grammar School and the co-ed class is vibrant and positive. Theatre trips are a requirement of the exam specifications and are a genuine highlight.

The range of co-curricular opportunities within the Drama department is a real strength. We offer KS3 Drama Club, Performing Arts Club and an annual House Drama competition. In addition we enter the ESU Performing Shakespeare competition and host a joint school musical with Aylesbury Grammar School. Each KS3 year group enjoys a trip to see a musical in the West End and Year 8 attend the local pantomime annually as part of their Bronze Arts Award.

PERSON SPECIFICATION -EXPERIENCE-PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES-PERSONAL QUALITIES

Experience

• Strong classroom teacher
• Potential to progress further
• Familiar with monitoring and evaluation of teaching and learning
• Strong commitment to co-curricular and cross-curricular activities

Professional

• Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
• Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
• Demonstrate excellent and up-to-date subject and curriculum knowledge
• Plan and teach well-structured lessons
• Keen to be involved in curriculum development
• Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils (including SEND, EAL, Pupil Premium and Gifted and Talented)
• Make accurate and productive use of assessment
• Provide verbal and written assessments, data, reports and references relating to individual students and groups of students
• Communicate effectively with parents, in consultation with the STL, with regard to pupils’ achievements and well-being
• Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe working and learning environment
• Attend subject team meetings, whole staff meetings, INSET, parent consultation evenings, open events and information evenings and other school functions as shown
• in the staff handbook directed time calculations
• Keen to develop own career
• Evidence of systematic professional development
• Strong ICT user, both personally and for subject use in particular Google-Suite
• A understanding of and commitment to the safeguarding requirements associated with such a role
• Willingness to follow school policies
• Sympathetic to the CREATE ethos of Aylesbury High School

Confidence, Respect, Engagement, Aspiration, Teamwork, Enjoyment

Personal

• Good relationships with students and adults
• Able to motivate students and staff
• Works well under pressure
• Good personal organisation and time management
• Good communicator
• Wide outside interests
• Meet the expectations of the DfE Teachers’ Standards (Part 2)

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE ROLE

Applications can be:

• e-mailed to: HR@ahs.bucks.sch.uk or
• posted to: Lisa Greenway, Director of Finance and Operations, Aylesbury High School, Walton Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 7SX

Closing date: Friday 24th March, 9.00 am

Interviews: W/C 27th March 2023

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

CVs alone cannot be accepted for safeguarding reasons

If you are shortlisted for this post, you will also be required to complete a self-disclosure form as part of the recruitment process; this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Our Safeguarding Statement is here. The appointment will be subject to references which are satisfactory for the advertised post, an enhanced DBS check with a Child Barred List check, identity checks, prohibition orders and qualification checks as appropriate.