Drama Assistant

To support the practical organisation and delivery of curricular and co-curricular drama. The Drama Assistant will lead a lunchtime drama club, assist with rehearsals and performances, manage departmental resources and provide administrative and production support.

Drama is a thriving and busy department comprised of three drama teachers and a Speech and Drama teacher. All pupils at KS3 are taught drama for one double lesson per week. In years 7-9 pupils follow ambitious schemes of work, designed to teach students a range of theatrical skills, styles and genres. Drama is a popular subject choice, and the department follows the IGCSE specification at GCSE and AQA Drama and Theatre Studies at A-Level. Students thrive in the classroom and enjoy learning in our bespoke Drama Studio. The department benefits from its central London location, regularly taking students to high-quality theatre productions to enrich their learning. The Drama Department offers a varied and extensive co-curricular programme. The department stages a range of performances each year including a whole school production, KS3 play, House Drama competition, enrichment performances, club showcases, as well as GCSE and A-Level pieces.

A key feature of Drama at Francis Holland is our ambitious programme of off-site productions. In addition to performing in our specialist spaces, the department hires professional West End theatres to stage major productions, providing students with exceptional and professional performance opportunities. The department also includes a strong cohort of Drama scholars at 11+ and 16+. The scholar programme offers students an opportunity to develop their craft and explore the industry over the course of their time at Francis Holland. Drama students go on to work in the industry and study at leading Drama schools and university programmes in the UK and abroad.

Key Responsibilities

Drama Clubs and Rehearsals

Plan and lead a lunchtime drama club within a programme agreed with the Director of Drama.

Encourage participation, confidence and collaboration among pupils of differing abilities and experience.

Assist with rehearsals for musicals and plays, including agreed warm-ups, small-group work and consolidation of material directed by teaching staff.

Maintain registers and follow up attendance in line with school procedures.

Support the practical organisation of examination performances, including spaces, resources, schedules and recording arrangements under staff direction.

Sets, Props, Costumes and Lesson Resources

Manage sets, props and costumes, ensuring they are prepared and available for lessons, rehearsals and performances.

Research and source items through purchase, hire or borrowing, placing approved orders within agreed budgets.

Coordinate deliveries, collections, loans and returns, maintaining inventories and purchasing records.

Prepare materials and equipment requested by teachers for drama lessons.

Attend selected lessons when required to facilitate the use of props, costumes, set pieces or equipment under the class teacher's direction.

Keep store cupboards, costume and prop storage areas, and drama spaces tidy, organised and accessible.

Identify damaged or missing resources and arrange repairs or replacements as agreed.

Stage Management and Production Support

Undertake stage management duties as agreed with the Director of Drama.

Maintain rehearsal notes, running orders and cue information, and coordinate backstage arrangements.

Support and supervise student backstage teams.

Liaise with those responsible for sound and lighting, communicating production requirements, schedules and cue information.

Assist with technical rehearsals and performances, including backstage and front-of house arrangements.

Support programmes, cast lists, ticketing and production communications.

Administration, Visitors and Trips

Prepare and distribute approved emails relating to clubs, rehearsals, performances and events.

Coordinate room bookings, schedules, registers and departmental records.

Create posters and other advertising for clubs, auditions and performances.

Capture authorised photographs and video, following school consent, safeguarding and image-use procedures.

Supply approved material and departmental updates to the Marketing Department.

Liaise with visiting practitioners and workshop leaders, coordinating schedules, spaces and resources.

Support trip planning and organisation, including research, bookings, transport, communications and consent records under staff oversight.

Professional

Follow school safeguarding, behaviour, confidentiality and health and safety policies.

Maintain professional boundaries and promote pupil wellbeing.

Work collaboratively with teaching staff, technicians and other colleagues.

Attend relevant meetings and undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.