Applicant Information Pack Visiting Peripatetic Teacher - Speech and Drama
A foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer Richard Backhouse - Principal Berkhamsted has led the way in pursuing a ‘foundation structure’. As a group of six schools, it combines scale of resource with individual attention and development of pupils – and staff. We start with our values: we aim for excellence – aiming high with integrity – in all that we do. We are ‘adventurous’, and support development, research, and experimentation in teaching and learning. We ‘serve others’ – at both pupil and staff level: ours is a non-hierarchical school in which the opinions of all matter, and in which we all share in the support and contribution to our local community. Above all, we are committed to developing remarkable people, both our pupils and our staff. We are looking for highly committed, ambitious and adventurous people to join a thriving staff body, whom we can support to flourish here, and whom we can help to grow. Our staff are so important that we have a Chief People Officer as one of our most senior members of staff.
Tracey Evans - Chief People Officer Our staff are our biggest asset at Berkhamsted, and so investing in not only their professional development but also their wellbeing, is a key priority. We foster a working environment that supports staff both professionally and personally. We offer a wide range of staff wellbeing initiatives. Colleagues can easily access financial, physical, emotional and social well-being support from school. We seek to enable all members of the school community to achieve their full potential in an environment characterised by equality respect and opportunity. We work hard at Berkhamsted, but we also know how to come together as a community and enjoy downtime, building relationships which simply last a lifetime.
History of Berkhamsted Schools Group
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Berkhamsted School is situated in the historic Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted, a prosperous community surrounded by Chiltern countryside and within easy reach of London. With Her Majesty the Queen as the School’s patron, Berkhamsted is a leading Independent School for pupils aged 3 to 18 years, the foundation of which dates back to 1541 (when John Incent, the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, successfully applied to King Henry the VIII for a license to purchase a piece of land for a ‘freescole’). In 1888 a Girls School was founded in Berkhamsted under the same governing body, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools merged to form a diamond school in 1997. The Prep School was also integrated at this stage, and the School became Berkhamsted Collegiate School. In 2011 the School merged with Heatherton House, a small independent day School for girls in Chesham Bois, and became the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Operating as a satellite Prep School, Heatherton provides a feed of Girls to the Berkhamsted Girls School every year. In 2012 Berkhamsted Schools Group acquired Haresfoot, a small proprietary prep school in Berkhamsted. This site now houses the Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Berkhamsted Day Nursery Limited, and Berkhamsted Prep takes children from age 7-11. Berkhamsted is the only School in the Herts, Beds and Bucks region, and one of only a small number of Schools in the country, to offer a ‘diamond’ structure that combines the best of both single-sex and coeducational teaching. Boys and Girls are taught together until the age of 11 (Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep), separately from the age of 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint sixth form (Berkhamsted Sixth).
Job Description About Drama Department: Make sure tothe use Gills Sans Font Drama plays a key role in the life of Berkhamsted School and is staffed by 5 curriculum teachers who deliver lessons including GCSE and A Level. They are supported by the peripatetic drama team (4 specialists) who offer additional tuition across a wide range of subjects within the LAMDA specifications including Acting, Devising Theatre, Mime, The Speaking of Verse and Prose, Public Speaking and Musical Theatre (the ability to teach the latter is preferred but not essential). Speech and Drama lessons are usually taught in groups (between 2 – 4 pupils), although some pupils opt for one-to-one tuition. Lessons are taught throughout the school day although some lessons are taught immediately before or after the school day if mutually convenient. The department is supported by a full-time performing arts administrator.
Activities The department offers a great number of performance opportunities for developing actors and encourages participation in co-curricular productions for pupils across the age range in addition to an Actor of the Year competition, which can showcase pupils performing monologues and duologues. Pupils are also encouraged to audition for national drama companies and we often have pupils who are involved in the National Youth Theatre and Youth Music Theatre UK. The peripatetic drama team are often integral in assisting pupils with preparation for audition including drama school and universities, as well as for shows and companies such as NYT.
Job Description Facilities: Make sure to use Gills Sans Font The department at the Senior School extends over two campuses. At Kings Campus (for Senior Girls and 6th Form), the modern Centenary Theatre is a 500-seat Hours of work: 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday, all year round. professional-style performance venue, which is fully resourced and supported by two full-time theatre technicians. Next to the theatre, the Lower Green Room and the Old Dining Room provide excellent dedicated drama teaching spaces, which are generally used for curriculum drama. When they are not needed for classes, the peri team have access to these teaching spaces. Most of the drama peri lessons at the girls school take place in the Foyer of the Centenary Theatre, which are close to the drama office. At Castle Campus (for Senior Boys and 6th Form) which is separated from the other sites above by an 8-minute walk, peri drama lessons have the use of a small drama studio. There are a two further studio spaces for the teaching of curriculum drama. The Director of Drama and the Performing Arts administrator’s office are based at Castle Campus.
Job Description Teachers of Speech and Drama are part of the Drama Department and accountable to the Director of Drama.
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Hours of work: 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday, all year round.
General Responsibilities Teaching: securing and sustaining effective teaching of Speech and Drama, evaluating the quality of teaching and standards of pupils’ achievements, setting targets for improvement and thoroughly preparing pupils to take regular examinations. a) Aiming to raise expectations and get the best out of pupils with varying needs and abilities. b) Ensuring that every pupil receives the best teaching and learning experience. c) Encouraging interest in the subject through participation in extra-curricular productions or other appropriate activities. d) Encouraging high standards of work, drawing attention to achievement through public performances as well as through the preparation for graded examinations. e) Being available to assist in the smooth running of Speech and Drama Examination Days and Speech and Drama Evenings by arrangement with the Director of Drama. f) Designing, setting and managing relevant homework, so that it is a valuable extension of class activities and helps pupils to develop independent learning skills. g) Contributing to pupils’ core skills including those in literacy and communication.
Job Description h) Contributing to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through the exploration of a range of texts and dramatic activities. i) Ensuring reports are individualized and meaningful, providing a valuable form of Hours of work: 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday, all year round. communication. Annual full reports are currently required for each pupil.
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Subject Knowledge: The Speech and Drama Curriculum a) Keeping abreast of developments in the Speech and Drama specifications, teaching methods etc. and attending termly meetings and any in-service courses by arrangement with the Director of Drama / Principal, making use of any opportunities for interdepartmental initiatives and co-operation. b) Being familiar with all the subject requirements for Public Examinations and ensuring proper preparation of the pupils for them; Administrative Expectations a) Liaising with the Performing Arts Administrator and Director of Drama over matters of timetabling and scheduling of lessons. b) Liaising with the Performing Arts Administrator over pupil entries and arrangements for public examinations (LAMDA). c) Providing necessary information to assist in the programming and co-ordination of drama evenings.
Job Description d) Keeping up-to-date registers and evidence / records for pupils attendance and following school policy guidelines about any pupil absence e) Liaising with the Performing Arts Administrator over matters of billing for pupils.
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Hours of work: 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday, all year round.
The skills and attributes essential to the Speech and Drama Teacher’s role Professional competence and creative flair: the ability to inspire and motivate pupils to work as individuals and as a team towards a personal or common goal. Decision making skills: the ability to solve problems and make decisions. Communications skills: the ability to make points clearly, listen accurately and understand the views of others. Time-management: the ability to plan time effectively and to organise oneself well. Administrative skills. Professional Conduct Work within the guidelines of the Job Description and School Policies Not to put the School into disrepute due to their conduct or behaviour Commit to and provide availability so that a termly timetable can be published For reasons of security, wear/display the identity lanyard provided at all times. Work at all times as a supportive and coherent group of professionals Within working time, should put the needs of the School and its clients first. Complete and return paperwork on time and accurately
Job Description Provide information as requested within the set timetable Be on time and appropriately prepared to do the job Follow instructions as appropriate when requested to do so by a line manager Hours of work: 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday, all year round. Attend a non-discretionary annual peripatetic staff meeting – usually during the afternoon of the Wednesday before term starts in September of each year. Attend mandatory whole staff INSET (e.g. Child Protection) as required either. Dress appropriately reflecting the position of a professional teacher Take corporate responsibility for the smooth running for the Drama Department and show consideration for others. Keep classrooms and practice rooms clean, tidy and free from litter. Report any instances of poor standards to the Director of Drama.
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Benefits Benefits We boast a competitive salary structure, alongside other benefits, which includes access to a comprehensive pension scheme. The wellbeing of our staff is a priority. We have a developed programme for staff with initiatives and support in the areas of Economic, Physical, Emotional and Social wellbeing. Free classes and advisory services. memberships and discounted rates in local establishments, together with cycle to work scheme, free on-site parking, free daily lunch, and fee reduction for staff's children are examples of some of the non-contractual benefits on offer in this programme.
Watch our video Watch our video and hear from our colleagues why they enjoy working at the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Find out more about what it is really like to be a member of the community.
SafeguardingBenefits and Child Protection Berkhamsted is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. A copy of the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found HERE The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. Berkhamsted Schools Group is a registered charity dedicated to education: 310630.
Application and Next Steps The closing date for applications is: 29 May 2022 Make sure to use Gills Sans Font
Applicants should send a completed application form (available on our website) to the HR Department by email to recruitment@berkhamsted.com Please note that CVs without an accompanying application form will not be accepted. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children; applicants must be willing to undertake a number of safeguarding checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS). This post is also subject to receipt of written references which must be satisfactory to Berkhamsted Schools Group along with documentary evidence of qualifications. Successful applicants will need to provide confirmation of permission to work in the UK. Please note that under the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the school has an obligation to ensure applicants have the right to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. (If it is found that those documents do not meet the legal requirement, an offer of employment will be withdrawn).
Application and Next Steps Make sure tooruse GillsaSans Font overseas in the previous five years, Where the successful candidate has worked been resident such checks and confirmations as the school may require in accordance with statutory guidance.
We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race. Candidates with a disability who are invited to interview should inform the School of any necessary reasonable adjustments or arrangements to assist them in attending the interview. If you have any questions relating to this role please contact the HR department at recruitment@berkhamsted.com