Head of Drama & Theatre Studies
September 2014
The post of Head of Drama & Theatre Studies at Wells Cathedral School is a central role within the
Creative Arts Faculty. It offers an opportunity for an ambitious teacher of Drama to lead the dramatic life
of the whole school. The successful candidate will have the ability and passion to take drama to the next
level at Wells in terms of both the quality of performances and the academic results within the
department. Remuneration for the post is based on national scale plus 2% plus a Wells Allowance,
together with an appropriate additional TLR award.
The School
The earliest record of a school for choristers in Wells dates from 909, when the church of Wells was
made a Cathedral. This puts Wells Cathedral School among the oldest schools in Europe.
However the school has never been traditionalist and has always been enthusiastic to embrace new ideas.
In 1969 it became one of the first independent schools to become fully co-educational, when twenty-nine
girls arrived in the Junior School. Even today Wells is one of the few that can claim to be genuinely
evenly mixed across the whole school.
From 1970 onwards girls were admitted to all areas. In the same year, twelve young violinists were
admitted to the newly endowed Music School, whose building was officially opened in 1974 by Lord
Goodman, then Chairman of the Arts Council. The decision in the 1970s to incorporate the Specialist
Music Scheme means that Wells is the only one of the four Specialist Music Schools supported by the
DfE to operate within the context of a proper school.
We were one of the first choir schools to introduce Girl choristers in 1994. In 2000 we embraced new
developments when the world was rapidly changing by delivering aspects of the A-level curriculum
online.
Today Wells is a thriving co-educational school taking students from age 3-18, incorporating choristers
and talented musicians alongside the general school community, with around one third of our students
specialising in music.
The Department
The Drama department at Wells Cathedral School consists of two full-time and two part-time members,
plus two part time teachers of Speech and Drama covering the whole 2-18 age range.
Drama is a core element taught as part of the Integrated Arts Curriculum (including Art, Design, Dance,
Music and Food Technology) in Years 7 - 9. In Years 10 - 11, Drama forms a popular choice within the
GCSE options as does Theatre Studies for AS and A-level.
Drama and Theatre Studies results are very good indeed with 100% students scoring A*/A at A-level last
year. Similarly at GCSE, 100% scored A*-C with 67% A*/A.
The Dance department exists as a section within the Drama department, and is taught by a combination of
specialist Dance teachers and members of the drama department.
The Drama department occupies a number of spaces over the school site including two dedicated Drama
Studios (fully equipped for teaching and performing) and a recently refurbished Ritchie Hall Theatre
(with high spec lighting). In addition the school has a dedicated Dance Studio.
The department currently follows the Edexcel specifications for GCSE and A-level Drama and Theatre
Studies teaching.
The Current Aims of the Department
● To actively encourage students to develop essential skills in communication and self-confidence
alongside furthering their knowledge in dramatic and performance arts
● To enable students to gain an understanding of the cultural impact of theatre
● To enable all students to find opportunities to become involved in drama whether through
performance, directing, set design, music or technical roles
● To enable students to experience a diverse range of dramatic styles through the works performed
● To provide students with opportunities to work with professional actors through workshops and
masterclasses
● To ensure that students are given opportunities to attend a full range of dramatic performances of
the highest standard
● To engender a love of the dramatic arts and furnish students with the skills to make valued
judgements within this field.
In addition, the department aims:
• To continually reflect on teaching and learning and to embrace new ideas and technologies that may
add to the pupils’ experience of the subject.
• To develop an awareness of other countries & cultures to facilitate an understanding of the beliefs
& attitudes embedded in different cultures and societies from a variety of perspectives.
• To encourage pupils to see the links between Drama and other elements of the curriculum and their
own life choices.
• To enable all pupils to fulfil their potential in public examinations and in their life beyond school.
Person Specification
Drama at Wells is a significant and exciting part of the school, covering everything from academic GCSE
and A-level studies, House Drama competitions, major senior and junior school productions, to
involvement in the Shakespeare Schools Festival and Edinburgh Fringe. The Head of Drama therefore
needs to be committed to supporting a wide range of dramatic experiences across the whole school from
pre-prep to sixth form. Within this role the Head of Drama will be responsible for the co-ordination of all
drama in both the senior and junior school, the latter liaising with Head of Junior School Drama. In
addition to leading the Drama department, the Head of Drama & Theatre Studies is also the line manager
of the Dance department, and there is significant overlap between these two important creative areas of
the school. The successful candidate will need to be approachable, flexible in their management style,
and show an ability to collaborate with the various complex parts of the school.
We are looking for an energetic, and enthusiastic teacher of Drama and Theatre Studies with a
commitment to delivering an extensive knowledge of the subject through a wide variety of teaching and
learning styles. Pupils at Wells enjoy the subject and there is a real opportunity here for an educator with
a genuine passion for their subject to enjoy teaching, leading and managing in an exciting and open
environment. The successful candidate must be able to teach Drama and Theatre Studies to GCSE and Alevel standard, and will need to be able to direct and produce school performances.
The successful Head of Drama & Theatre Studies will be able to able to draw together the many diverse
members of the team into a cohesive department. They will be able to communicate effectively, and
efficiently with the different members of the school community. They will be able to present a
compelling vision for the future direction of drama at Wells, without losing site of the need for attention
to detail.
The school operates a faculty structure and Drama sits within the Creative Arts Faculty. The academic
line manager for the Head of Drama & Theatre Studies is therefore the Head of the Creative Arts Faculty,
although they will also need to work alongside the Junior School drama department. There will be every
opportunity for our new Head of Drama to contribute to the wider artistic direction of the school.
The Head of Drama & Theatre Studies will responsible for the co-ordination of all individual and group
Dance, Speech & Drama and Musical Theatre Lessons run by the department.
The school is also currently in the process of building a new concert hall for the school, and there will be
opportunities to explore how this exciting new facility can be utilised for school drama.
Further Information
Attached are documents relating to the job description for Heads of Department, Heads of Faculty and
teachers at the school. These form the basis of professional development review within a framework of
academic line management. Outline notes on the school and recent school results are also enclosed. It
may be possible to combine the post with a residential post within a boarding house and this can be
discussed further at interview. Additional awards are available to residential staff.
Interviews will take place during the week beginning Monday 10 March 2014. An application form and
the names of two referees should be sent to the HR Manager as soon as soon as possible, and no later than
Tuesday 4 March 2014.
Georgina Hodkinson
HR Manager
The Bursary
Wells Cathedral School
Wells
Somerset
BA5 2SX
g.hodkinson@wells-cathedral-school.com
WELLS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
Academic Line Manager: Head of Faculty
In addition to the duties and responsibilities of an Academic Subject Teacher
1. In relation to teaching;
1.1
Devising and implementing appropriate departmental aims and objectives.
1.2
Producing and updating of suitable schemes of work.
1.3
Producing, monitoring and reviewing the departmental development plan.
1.4
Ensuring that teachers in the department are appropriately resourced.
1.5
Taking responsibility for ensuring appropriate behavior of students within your
department.
1.6
Carry out the professional development review of teachers in the department including
regular lesson observations.
2. In relation to pupil learning:
2.1
Monitoring of work and assessment of pupils by teachers in the department.
2.2
Monitoring of homework set by teachers in the department.
2.3
Discussing and analysing the year’s previous examination results with teachers in the
department.
2.4
Making sure that all pupils are aware of the syllabus.
2.5
Making sure that all pupils have seen copies of past examination and test papers.
2.6
Analysing public examination results against pupil targets and predictions.
2.7
Prepare a report and discuss the department’s summer examinations results with the Head
and Director of Studies.
3. Departmental Organisation:
3.1
Structure a departmental team.
3.2
Deploy teachers – consistent with strengths, experience and career aspirations and the
needs of the school.
3.3
Allocate pupils to appropriate teaching groups where there are choices.
3.4
Hold and minute regular departmental meetings.
3.5
Play a major part in appointments within the department:
a)
draw up job specifications
b)
liaise with Director of Studies
c)
shortlist and interview in consultation with the Head and Director of
Studies
3.6
Induction of new staff as part of the whole school induction framework.
3.7
Co-ordinate departmental staff at parents’ meetings.
3.8
INSET and professional development advice for members of the department.
4. Finance and resource control:
4.1
Monitor and control expenditure against departmental budget.
4.2
Upkeep of text books and learning materials within budget.
4.3
Stewardship of departmental equipment.
4.4
Allocate rooms in consultation with classroom manager and the Director of Studies
4.5
Provide the Director of Studies with appropriate information in advance to allow to
appropriate financial planning of academic budgets
WELLS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A HEAD OF FACULTY
Academic Line Manager: Director of Studies
In addition to the duties and responsibilities of Heads of Departments.
1. In relation to teaching;
1.1
Observe and discuss at least one lesson taught by a Head of Department each year.
1.2
Complete with the Head of Department an annual review of the teaching of members of
that department.
1.3
Support the Head of Department in strategies relating to maintaining high standards of
teaching within the department.
1.4
Ensure that all teachers in the Faculty see a lesson of music ensemble preparation or an
individual instrumental lesson every year.
1.5
Conduct the professional development and review of Heads of Department within the
faculty.
2. In relation to pupil learning:
2.1
Discuss with the Head of Department the progress of pupils learning the subject within the
department.
2.2
Monitoring departmental reporting on pupils.
2.3
Monitoring departmental grading of pupils.
2.4
Monitoring departmental results against base-line data
3. In relation to the curriculum:
3.1
Represent the faculty at Academic Committee Meetings.
3.2
Feedback to the faculty issues discussed at Academic Committee.
3.3
Liaise with the Director of Studies in contribution to development and staffing of the
curriculum.
3.4
Advise the Director of Studies on issues relating to the Governors’ Personnel and
Remuneration and Education Committees.
3.5
Develop curriculum continuity with the Junior School where appropriate.
4. Faculty Organisation
4.6
Hold and minute regular faculty meetings.
4.7
Ensure that departmental handbooks are up to date.
5. In relation to tutoring:
5.1
Lead and inform the faculty tutorial team communicating with House Staff, Director of
Studies, Deputy Head, and Head when necessary.
5.2
Act as wise counsel with the HE and Careers Advisor with regard to matters of pupil
reference preparation in specialist areas.
WELLS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
JOB DESCRIPTION FOR AN ACADEMIC SUBJECT TEACHER
Academic Line Manager: Head of Department
Teaching
● To teach groups across the age and ability range as agreed with the Head of Department.
● To ensure that students are taught according to their individual needs and abilities, following the
syllabus and programmes of study set by the school and the department.
● To employ teaching strategies that engenders enthusiasm and raises the aspirations of all students.
● To be a passionate advocate for your subject area.
● To be involved in sharing best practice through out the school, including observing others teach.
Pupil Learning
● To be aware of the benchmarking data, and SEND information that is available on each pupil
taught.
● To prepare students for public examinations and assessment and to mark their work and record the
results as required.
● To comply with the departmental policy for marking students’ work and to keep a record of marks
and grades awarded.
● To attend grades meetings and parents’ evening as required.
● To keep a record of work covered by students.
● To set and mark homework regularly.
● To complete reports and records on students
● To maintain high standards of discipline in the classroom so that there is an atmosphere conducive
to work.
Subject and School Contribution
● To contribute to the development of the curriculum within the department and the faculty and the
school as a whole
● To contribute to the development of teaching and learning materials for use by the teaching team.
● To take a full part in meetings for faculty and departmental planning.
● To attend assemblies.
● To attend appropriate staff meetings.
● To promote the school department and the faculty through displays of work, extra curricular
activities and participation in events, competitions etc.
● To ensure that care is taken of the fabric of the classroom, the furniture and apparatus, and to see
that rooms are left tidy and in good condition after use.
● To participate in the school’s Professional Development and Review process.