Teacher of Drama & Performing Arts

Location: Barking, East/Outer London

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational)

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent or Fixed-Term

Start Date: Immediate / ASAP or January Start

A vibrant, creative, and community-focused secondary school and Sixth Form in Barking (London Borough of Barking & Dagenham) is seeking an expressive, articulate, and dynamic Teacher of Drama to join their flourishing Expressive Arts faculty. This is an exciting opportunity for a theatrical specialist—whether an experienced practitioner looking to direct advanced GCSE/A-Level productions or a talented Early Career Teacher (ECT)—to cultivate confidence, performance craft, and dramatic analysis across a spirited student body.

About the Role

As a Teacher of Drama, you will transform theatrical texts, performance techniques, and creative improvisation into compelling learning experiences. Joining an energetic Performing Arts team, you will deliver high-rigor practical and theoretical lessons across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE Drama), and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Drama & Theatre Studies / BTEC Performing Arts), empowering pupils to explore voice, movement, characterization, and dramatic literature.

• Environment: A progressive Outer London secondary school featuring purpose-built drama studios, fully equipped performance spaces with professional lighting and sound rigs, and active arts links

• Culture: A collaborative, imaginative department where creative expression, technical stagecraft, ensemble work, and annual school productions are deeply celebrated

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver academically rich, practical-led Drama lessons across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5 that build acting technique, textual interpretation, theatrical history, and staging concepts.

• Prepare GCSE and A-Level candidates thoroughly for written examinations, practical performance assessments, and external examiner moderation sessions.

• Direct and produce extra-curricular theatrical projects, including annual whole-school musicals, showcase events, drama clubs, and national theatre festival entries.

• Track, evaluate, and monitor student progress, providing constructive feedback to refine performance skills while scaffolding analytical writing for set-text evaluations and live theatre reviews.

• Organize theatre visits to East London and West End venues, enriching students' exposure to professional directors, practitioners, and live performances.

Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent recognized teaching credential.

• A strong academic degree in Drama, Theatre Studies, Performing Arts, or a closely related discipline.

• Proven track record or demonstrated capability of delivering outstanding Drama instruction across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (KS5/A-Level Theatre Studies teaching experience is highly desirable).

• In-depth knowledge of national Drama examination board specifications (e.g., AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas) and practical assessment protocols.

• Inspiring stage presence, exceptional communication skills, and a passionate commitment to fostering confidence, inclusion, and artistic excellence.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London Main / Upper Pay Scale (MPS/UPS Outer London, commensurate with experience), with potential TLR opportunities available for Performing Arts Leadership or School Production Direction.

• Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), comprehensive continuous professional development (CPD), structured mentoring, and access to staff health and wellbeing programs.

How to Apply

If you are a passionate Drama specialist ready to inspire the next generation of performers, directors, and confident communicators at a dynamic secondary school in Barking, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application and CV as soon as possible for consideration.