Primary Drama Teacher

JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: Primary Drama Teacher
Start: asap

1. Role Overview
We are seeking a passionate, expressive, and experienced Primary Drama Teacher to lead our drama programme across Key Stages 1–2 (Grades 1–6). The successful candidate will deliver a dynamic, process-oriented drama curriculum that nurtures students' creativity, confidence, communication skills, and emotional intelligence. This role is not solely about performance training; it is about using drama as a pedagogical tool to support whole-child development, critical thinking, and intercultural understanding within an international school setting.

2. Key Responsibilities
2.1 Teaching & Curriculum Delivery
Plan, prepare, and deliver engaging drama lessons that align with the school's educational philosophy and accommodate a wide range of abilities, from beginner to advanced.

Design a progressive, spiral curriculum covering improvisation, mime, puppetry, storytelling, script work, devised theatre, and physical theatre, ensuring age-appropriate content for lower primary (G1–G3) and upper primary (G4–G6).

Employ a variety of teaching approaches, including Drama-in-Education (DiE) and Process Drama, to explore cross-curricular themes and real-world issues through fictional contexts.

Differentiate instruction to support EAL (English as an Additional Language) learners and students with diverse learning needs.

2.2 Student Development & Assessment
Foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment where every student feels empowered to take creative risks.

Use formative assessment strategies (e.g., observation checklists, peer feedback, self-reflection journals, video portfolios) to track individual progress, rather than relying solely on final performances.

Encourage students to develop empathy, collaboration, problem-solving, and resilience through structured dramatic play and ensemble work.

Identify and mentor exceptionally talented students, providing extension opportunities through advanced workshops or festival participation.

2.3 Production & Co-Curricular Leadership
Lead or co-direct at least one major school production (play, musical, or showcase) per academic year, managing all aspects from auditions and casting to rehearsal scheduling, set design collaboration, and backstage coordination.

Organise drama-related enrichment activities such as lunchtime theatre clubs, poetry slams, storytelling assemblies, and annual Drama Week events.

Collaborate with other subject teachers to integrate drama techniques into literacy (e.g., book adaptations), humanities, PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education), and even STEAM projects, promoting cross-disciplinary learning.

2.4 Communication & Community Engagement
Maintain regular, professional communication with parents regarding student progress, achievements, and the educational value of drama, through newsletters, online platforms, parent-teacher conferences, and demonstration workshops.

Actively participate in school-wide events, staff meetings, and professional development sessions.

Contribute to the school's pastoral care system by using drama as a medium for discussing sensitive topics and building a strong classroom community.

2.5 Resource & Facility Management
Manage the drama classroom/black box theatre, ensuring all equipment, props, costumes, and sound/lighting systems are well-maintained, catalogued, and used safely.

Assist in budgeting and procurement of materials and resources relevant to the drama programme.

3. Person Specification
3.1 Essential Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor's degree or higher in Drama, Theatre Arts, Performing Arts, Drama-in-Education, or a closely related field.

Minimum 2–3 years of full-time, post-qualification drama teaching experience in a primary school setting (international school experience is highly preferred).

What We Offer
A competitive, tax-competitive salary package commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Fully furnished accommodation

Annual flight allowance, medical insurance, and relocation support.

Contract completion bonus and professional development sponsorship.

A supportive, collaborative working environment with state-of-the-art performing arts facilities.

Opportunities for career advancement within a growing international school network.