About This Role
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.