Peripatetic LAMDA Teacher

Ditcham Park School is a unique, successful and thriving school situated in 16 acres of the beautiful South Downs National Park. We have 400+ pupils, aged 4 to 16 years who benefit from a caring and supportive ethos and relatively small classes. GCSE results are consistently impressive and the school was ranked 14th best independent school, in category, in the country based on its GCSE results. Pupils of Ditcham Park School are proud of their vibrant learning community which is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to discover their talents, realise their potential and become well‑rounded, socially responsible citizens in a school ‘where every child is known and valued’.

We are looking to recruit exceptional Peripatetic LAMDA Teachers who will be fully experienced in teaching students from age 4 to 16. The successful candidates will organise and deliver weekly LAMDA lessons, and the role includes preparing students for internal and external performances, coaching towards exams and preparing students for auditions where necessary. Lessons will be delivered in Speaking of Verse & Prose, Speaking in Public, Acting Reading for Performance and Devising to students in our Junior and Senior Schools, and will be taught as solos, duos or groups of up to six students. You should be highly motivated, reliable, and truly passionate about providing our students with the best possible LAMDA and drama training. You should be able to communicate well with both students and parents. Lessons may be delivered during the school day, including lunch times and potentially after school. This is a self‑employed Peripatetic role and could be shared by multiple teachers, based on varying availability.

Your main responsibilities are to:

• Plan 30 minute paired, solo and group lessons and overall schemes of work for the pupils you teach to a high standard.
• Have a sound knowledge of the LAMDA Introductory, Verse and Prose and Acting syllabi for students at different stages of their development.
• Have a sound knowledge of material appropriate for students at various levels and grades.
• Prepare pupils for performances, examinations, auditions and festivals.
• Ensure continuity, progression and cohesiveness in all teaching.
• Liaise with Head of Drama to enter students for examinations.
• Communicate regularly with parents about their child’s lessons and progress via notebooks and conversations/emails.
• Arrange performance opportunities for pupils, such as showcases for friends and relatives.
• Develop professional relationships with staff in the school.
• Use positive management of behaviour in an environment of mutual respect which allows pupils to feel safe and secure and promotes their self‑esteem ensuring the Ditcham values are adhered to.
• Adhere to the school’s teaching and learning policy and be willing to cooperate with regular quality assurance activities.
• Adhere to the school’s Health and Safety policy, and work in line with child protection legislation.
• Undertake training or CPD as requested by the school.

Monitoring & Accountability

Peripatetic teachers are self‑employed and are responsible for the following areas which involve contact with the parents:

• Contacting the parents of prospective pupils.
• Drawing up a form of agreement between themselves and the parents concerning billing for lessons and requiring notice of termination of lessons.
• Communicating directly with parents regarding times of lessons and any changes to the regular routine.

Professional Standards & Development

• Be a role model to pupils through personal presentation and professional conduct.
• Arrive at or before the start of the lesson and to begin and end lessons on time.
• Cooperate with the school in all matters concerning Health and Safety and specifically to take reasonable care of their own Health and Safety and that of any other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
• Be familiar with the School and Department handbooks and to support all the school’s policies.
• Establish effective working relationships with professional colleagues and associate staff.
• Attend INSET meetings or training as required.
• Maintain a working knowledge and understanding of teachers’ professional duties as set out in the staff handbook, especially with regard to Child Protection policies, especially KCSIE.
• Undertake any reasonable task as directed by the Head of Department.
• Be aware of the role of the Governing Body of the school and to support it in the performance of its duties.
• Consider the needs of all pupils within lessons, especially those who have SEN or who are gifted and talented.

Person Specification Qualifications and Skills

• A degree level qualification relevant to the teaching aspects of the role.
• Ability to teach LAMDA.
• A recognised teaching qualification.
• High level of experience of LAMDA in education.
• Enthusiasm, energy and commitment to support, stretch and encourage pupils.
• Good planning and organisational skills.
• A willingness to work collaboratively.
• A genuine desire to contribute to whole school initiatives.

Ditcham Park School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. A certificate of good conduct may be needed for applicants who have lived or worked overseas. This position is subject to an enhanced DBS certificate in the event of a successful application. As with all School employees, it is the School’s responsibility to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Safeguarding Policy at all times, thus promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons with whom he/she comes into contact. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, 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. In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 all employees have a duty to look after their own and other’s health and safety. Ditcham Park School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.