Head of Drama (Maternity Cover)

Giggleswick School is seeking to appoint a dynamic and inspirational Head of Drama for a one year maternity cover. The ideal candidate will have the passion, creativity, and leadership to deliver first-class teaching and to inspire pupils of all abilities to achieve their full potential. The successful applicant will be required to teach across the whole age range from Year 7 to Year 13. In Year 11, pupils follow the Edexcel GCSE Drama course, and in the Sixth Form they undertake the BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing Arts; therefore, experience in delivering and preparing assignments for BTEC is essential. Giggleswick has an excellent reputation for outstanding productions and performances across Drama and Music, both at whole-school and individual level, and the successful candidate will be expected to continue to strengthen and develop this vibrant cultural provision. Any prospective candidate must demonstrate an active commitment to the values and expectations of our boarding community and show genuine dedication to the welfare and personal development of the pupils within it. Main Duties and Responsibilities Operational

• Direct, and produce, the Senior Productions Organise and monitor the setting and marking of internal examinations, external examinations and scholarship auditions
• Organise and co-ordinate assessments for public examinations, including moderation
• Draw up, co-ordinate and monitor Schemes of Work, including setting of preps or independent study and regular testing
• Co-ordinate Drama resources and ensure that all Drama equipment is organised, stored and maintained appropriately
• Issue and oversee returns of books and other specific materials required by students
• Ensure that departmental rooms provide a stimulating and attractive learning environment that projects a positive image
• Ensure that classes are covered, and work is set when staff are unexpectedly absent
• Organise Drama showcase provision for Speech Day and open days/events Support the head of Co-Curricular with whole school Performing Arts events, such as Singing and Speaking
• Liaise with the Prep School and provide support with their production Support and oversee LAMDA/Speech and Drama lessons and examinations
Management
• Oversee annual requisition of resources in relation to the Drama department budget
• To run Drama Department meetings and attend other relevant meetings such as the Co Curricular Performing Arts meeting, and the clashes meeting
• To line manage all other academic Drama teachers. Including: setting targets, completing lessons observations, giving feedback, monitoring, and providing relevant information for performance review
• Direct any non-teaching staff within the subject
• Liaise with and support teachers to ensure high quality Drama in the curriculum and productions
• Liaise with the Head of Co-Curricular regarding Drama and Performing Arts activities
• Ensure additional provision for scholars, including a scholars' programme
• Oversee the awarding of Colours and other awards and ensure that they are awarded appropriately and fairly
• Develop leadership in Drama opportunities for pupils
Enrichment
• Assist in the provision of subject enrichment programmes, such as CASE, field trips, visiting speakers and off-campus visits to Higher Education institutions
General Responsibilities Pastoral duties
• All full time teachers are expected to undertake a weekly evening duty in a boarding house
• The School has a strong personal tutorial system and teachers provide additional pastoral care and academic advice and support for up to 8 tutees
• Teachers are expected to support all aspects of the boarding life of the school. This can include making a contribution to the weekend activity programme for boarders on Saturday evenings or Sundays; supervising events or activities; attending Sunday Chapel services; by organising and leading trips; or sharing a pastime
Teaching duties
• All full-time members of teaching staff teach up to 18 x 55 min lessons across a six day week and are expected to make a regular contribution to department clubs workshops and the extra-curricular activities programme. A weekly emergency cover period and, where possible, a weekly departmental meeting is also timetabled
• All members of staff are expected to attend, as required, regular staff meetings, INSET, parents' conferences and options evenings
• The school day begins with a regular pattern of Assemblies, Chapel and Tutor/Form periods which teachers attend. Teachers are also invited to support students at major school functions such as drama productions, the Spring Concert or Sports Day
• Teachers make a significant contribution to the coaching of games or sport; the Friday afternoon academic enrichment programme; the Outdoor Pursuits programme; and the Combined Cadet Force. This can include coaching, supervising, leading or training pupils on 3 or 4 afternoons each week, depending on academic teaching commitments
Other duties
• Teachers are assigned to a duty team which supervises school duties such as meals and weekend duties (e.g., detention) approximately every five weeks
• Once a year, teachers take part in an Exeat duty team to provide cover for the boarders who remain at School
• All teaching staff are expected to follow the Staff Code of Conduct and to follow the guidance laid out in the staff handbook
Health & Safety
• You have a legal duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others and you are expected to be familiar with, and adhere to Giggleswick School's Health and Safety Policy
Child protection
• Giggleswick School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You will be expected to support this approach in the context of your role and to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school's Safeguarding policies and procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out your duties you become aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, you must report any concerns to the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Headmaster
School values
• Ensure your work, communication and approach conforms to the brand values and style of the School. Keep up to date, and comply with the Giggleswick School's Rules, Policies and Procedures at all times, as detailed in the School handbook
Qualifications, Skills and Experience Education & qualifications
• Degree in Drama, or Drama related subject
• PGCE
Knowledge & experience
• Proven track record of successful A Level/BTEC and GCSE teaching results
• Experience of delivering and assessing Level 3 BTEC
• Experience of working with children and young people
• A secure knowledge of your subject
Skills
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop positive relationships with young people ·
• Effective management of difficult conversations with pupils, parents and staff
• Have strong organisational and IT skills
• Able to engage pupils in learning through active teaching strategies
• Able to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Able to demonstrate effective planning and teaching skills
• Able to present confidently to a large group of students
Personal Qualities
• Commitment to and flexible with the demands of the role
• Demonstrates fairness and consistency in all dealings with pupils
• Energy and enthusiasm
• Able to demonstrate the positive values, attitudes and behaviour we expect from our pupils
• Reliability and integrity
• Willingness to contribute to the co-curricular life of the school
• A commitment to personal professional development and taking responsibility for it
• A positive motivation to work with children and young people
• Emotional resilience
• Safeguarding Evidence of a commitment to promoting the health, welfare and safeguarding of children
Terms of Appointment We offer a competitive and desirable package that includes:
• An attractive salary, dependent upon the skills and experience of the candidate
• Eligibility to join the APTIS pension scheme (Aviva Pension Trust for Independent Schools)
• Assistance with accommodation may be available
• High quality working environment
• Where relevant, a generous fee remission to Senior & Giggleswick Prep School aged children of the successful candidate (excludes Pre-school)
• Lunches provided free of charge during term time
• Free access to on-site facilities, including gym, sports courts and swimming pool
Closing date: Sunday 19 April 2026 Interview date: TBC Start date: Tuesday 1 September 2026 We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.


• Degree in Drama, or Drama related subject
• PGCE
Knowledge & experience
• Proven track record of successful A Level/BTEC and GCSE teaching results
• Experience of delivering and assessing Level 3 BTEC
• Experience of working with children and young people
• A secure knowledge of your subject
Skills
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop positive relationships with young people ·
• Effective management of difficult conversations with pupils, parents and staff
• Have strong organisational and IT skills
• Able to engage pupils in learning through active teaching strategies
• Able to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Able to demonstrate effective planning and teaching skills
• Able to present confidently to a large group of students
Personal Qualities
• Commitment to and flexible with the demands of the role
• Demonstrates fairness and consistency in all dealings with pupils
• Energy and enthusiasm
• Able to demonstrate the positive values, attitudes and behaviour we expect from our pupils
• Reliability and integrity
• Willingness to contribute to the co-curricular life of the school
• A commitment to personal professional development and taking responsibility for it
• A positive motivation to work with children and young people
• Emotional resilience
• Safeguarding Evidence of a commitment to promoting the health, welfare and safeguarding of children
  
  We offer a competitive and desirable package that includes:
• An attractive salary, dependent upon the skills and experience of the candidate
• Eligibility to join the APTIS pension scheme (Aviva Pension Trust for Independent Schools)
• Assistance with accommodation may be available
• High quality working environment
• Where relevant, a generous fee remission to Senior & Giggleswick Prep School aged children of the successful candidate (excludes Pre-school)
• Lunches provided free of charge during term time
• Free access to on-site facilities, including gym, sports courts and swimming pool