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Westminster School
Information for Candidates
Teacher of Drama
www.westminster.org.uk
@WSchool
The School
Westminster is an ancient school whose origins can be dated back to 1179 if not before. Its
continuous existence is certain from the early fourteenth century. Henry VIII personally ensured
the School’s survival by statute and Elizabeth I, who confirmed royal patronage in 1560, is
celebrated as the School’s foundress. Westminster is rare amongst long-established schools in
remaining on its original site in the centre of London. Its proximity to Parliament and
Westminster Abbey, and the use of the Abbey for its chapel, together with the stimulating
diversity of the South Bank and West End, account in part for its special atmosphere and outlook.
Westminster School is a selective day and boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18 and girls aged
16 to 18. One-quarter of the pupils board, and the School is structured and run as a boarding
school, with an extended day and week and a strong House-based system of pastoral welfare, for
boarding and day pupils alike. There are currently 742 pupils in total: 350 boys in the Lower
School (Years 9 – 11) and a co-educational (one-third girls, two-thirds boys) Upper School (Years
12 – 13) of 392.
www.westminster.org.uk
@WSchool
Our Ethos
The School aims to be one of the foremost
centres of academic excellence both in this
country and internationally. Central to its
academic ethos is the dialogue between
teachers and their pupils. Whether in the
classroom, in tutorials or within the cocurricular life of the school, we seek to
promote enjoyment of intellectual enquiry
and debate, the search for explanation, and
the development of independent thought,
well beyond any standard examination
syllabus.
www.westminster.org.uk
@WSchool
The Community
Westminster is a happy, busy and
purposeful school; the pupils are
intellectually, socially, ethically and
politically engaged. They enjoy plenty of
opportunities to develop initiatives and to
articulate and defend their views, in line
with the enduring values of the liberal
tradition reflected in the School’s Charter.
That tradition is fully committed also to
the nurture of each pupil’s spiritual, moral,
emotional and physical development and
wellbeing - with a particular emphasis on
drawing out individual talent wherever it
lies - and to the preparation of young
people for fulfilled private and public lives
beyond school.
The Role
In the Drama Department, we want to empower pupils and allow them to flourish as people with
distinct personalities and abilities. Teamwork and collaboration is at the heart of everything we do,
encouraging brilliant, independently-minded pupils to mesh their own skills with their peers’ to create
work that’s greater than the sum of its parts. The very nature of what we do helps develop skills that’ll
be useful in later life, no matter what path the pupils take.
Starting in the Fifth Form (Year 9), pupils are introduced to the key movements and practitioners that
have influenced and furthered theatre through history. All pupils are given a firm grounding in the
theory and practice of Drama. They may then choose to continue Drama at GCSE and into A Level
Theatre Studies, encompassing study of fundamental canonical texts and deeper understanding of the
craft and artistry of theatre. While a very small number successfully apply to Drama School, most pupils
view Drama as an invaluable supplement to the rest of their studies
Drama is a core feature of School life, sitting at the heart of Westminster’s outward looking culture.
Standards are very high in our curricular and extra-curricular work, and many past pupils develop
successful careers in the performing arts. In the past few years, the Department has helped launch the
theatrical careers of Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter, How To Get Away With Murder, Sherlock) and – most
recently – Bebe Cave (Tale of Tales starring Toby Jones and Selma Hayek, Great Expectations). As well as
the teaching staff, we have a dedicated Technical Team working in support of pupil activities. We
employ a full-time stage manager and part-time drama technician. As well as our two exceptionally wellequipped performance spaces in the Millie (the main 130-seat Millicent Fawcett Theatre, and a smaller,
infinitely adaptable studio space downstairs) major school productions are staged up School (in the main
school hall).
www.westminster.org.uk
@WSchool
The Vacancy
The department is seeking to appoint a full time teacher of Drama. The position will include teaching
both GCSE and A Level Drama and Theatre Studies (AQA specification). Alongside teaching
responsibilities, the applicant will be expected to embrace and contribute to the vibrant extra-curricular
programme. In the past year we have mounted 10 productions, including a Shakespeare, 2 Festivals, 4
House plays, a Latin play, a French play, a musical (performed up School) a Lower School production
as well as numerous examined productions. We are a busy department which prides itself on its high
production values and outstanding results whilst providing a wide range of opportunities that will
engage pupils of all ages.
The department is looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and creative individual who is passionate and
knowledgeable about drama and theatre. The successful applicant must be prepared to teach, direct,
organise, facilitate, trouble shoot and engage with the pupils in a variety of situations.
www.westminster.org.uk
@WSchool
Application details
Westminster has its own salary scale and new members of staff are placed at a point
relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at
interview with short-listed candidates.
To apply for this post, please submit (1) a letter of application, (2) the completed
application
form
and
(3)
a
detailed
curriculum
vitae
to
[email protected]. For further information about this post please
contact the HR Office on 020 8963 1057.
Closing date for applications:
12 noon on Friday 10 March 2017.
Interviews will take place on: Wednesday 15 March 2017
Westminster School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants
must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with
past employers and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
www.westminster.org.uk
@WSchool