Applicant Information Pack
Visiting Peripatetic TeacherSpeech and Drama
A foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer
Richard Backhouse - Principal
Berkhamsted is among the schools leading the way in pursuing a ‘foundation structure’. As a group of six schools, it combines scale of resource with individual attention and development of pupils –and staff. We start with our values: we aim for excellence – aiming high with integrity – in all that we do. We are adventurous, and support development, research, and experimentation in teaching and learning We serve others – at both pupil and staff level: ours is a non-hierarchical school in which the opinions of all matter, and in which we all share in the support and contribution to our local community
Above all, we are committed to developing remarkable people, both among our pupils and our staff We are looking for highly committed, ambitious and adventurous people to join a thriving staff body, whom we can support to flourish here, and whom we can help to grow. Our staff are so important that we have a Chief People Officer as one of our most senior members of staff.
Tracey Evans - Chief People Officer
Our staff are our most important asset at Berkhamsted; investing in their professional development with their wellbeing a key priority We foster a working environment that supports staff both professionally and personally. We offer a wide range of staff wellbeing initiatives. Colleagues can easily access financial, physical, emotional and social well-being support from school
We seek to enable all members of the school community to achieve their full potential in an environment characterised by equality, equity, respect and opportunity We work hard at Berkhamsted, but we also know how to come together as a community and enjoy downtime, building relationships which last a lifetime and enrich our professional and personal experience
History of Berkhamsted Schools Group
Berkhamsted School is situated in the historic Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted, a prosperous community surrounded by Chiltern countryside and within easy reach of London Berkhamsted is a leading Independent School for pupils aged 3 to 18 years, the foundation of which dates back to 1541 (when John Incent, the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, successfully applied to King Henry the VIII for a license to purchase a piece of land for a ‘freescole’)
In 1888 a Girls School was founded in Berkhamsted under the same governing body, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools merged to form a diamond school in 1997 The Prep School was also integrated at this stage, and the School became Berkhamsted Collegiate School.
In 2011 the School merged with Heatherton House, a small independent day School for girls in Chesham Bois, and became the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Operating as a satellite Prep School, Heatherton provides a feed of Girls to the Berkhamsted Girls School every year In 2012 Berkhamsted Schools Group acquired Haresfoot, a small proprietary prep school in Berkhamsted This site now houses the Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Berkhamsted Day Nursery Limited, and Berkhamsted Prep takes children from age 7-11.
Berkhamsted is the only School in the Herts, Beds and Bucks region, and one of only a small number of Schools in the country, to offer a ‘diamond’ structure that combines the best of both single-sex and co-educational teaching Boys and Girls are taught together until the age of 11 (Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep), separately from the age of 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint sixth form (Berkhamsted Sixth)
Job Description
Hours of work: 8 30am-5pm Monday to Friday, all year round.
A well-qualified and enthusiastic peripatetic teacher is required from November 2025 to teach peripatetic LAMDA lessons in the Senior School. The peripatetic drama staff are line managed by the Director of Drama. The approximate number of hours we are currently looking to staff runs to approximately 2 days per week, although it is important to note that this role does not guarantee a minimum number of hours and works on a ‘supply and demand’ arrangement. The hours are largely flexible, although teachers are requested to commit to days/timings for the whole term in order for the termly timetable to be published
About the Drama Department:
Drama plays a key role in the life of Berkhamsted School and is staffed by 5 curriculum teachers who deliver lessons including GCSE and A Level. They are supported by the peripatetic drama team (5 specialists) who offer additional tuition across a wide range of subjects within the LAMDA specifications including Acting, Devising Theatre, Mime, The Speaking of Verse and Prose, Public Speaking and Musical Theatre (the ability to teach the latter is preferred but not essential). Speech and Drama lessons are usually taught in groups (between 2 – 4 pupils), although some pupils opt for oneto-one tuition. Lessons are taught throughout the school day although some lessons are taught immediately before or after the school day if mutually convenient The department is supported by a full-time performing arts administrator.
Activities:
The department offers a great number of performance opportunities for developing actors and encourages participation in co-curricular productions for pupils across the age range in addition to an Actor of the Year competition, which can showcase pupils performing monologues and duologues Pupils are also encouraged to audition for national drama companies and we often have pupils who are involved in the National Youth Theatre and Youth Music Theatre UK The peripatetic drama team are often integral in assisting pupils with preparation for audition including drama school and universities, as well as for shows and companies such as NYT.
Facilities:
Job Description
The department at the Senior School extends over two campuses. At Kings Campus (for Senior Girls and 6 Form), the modern Centenary Theatre is a 500-seat professional-style performance venue, which is fully resourced and supported by two full-time theatre technicians Next to the theatre, the Lower Green Room and the Old Dining Room provide excellent dedicated drama teaching spaces, which are generally used for curriculum drama. The drama peri lessons at the girls school take place in the Foyer of the Centenary Theatre and another dedicated room for LAMDA At Castle Campus (for Senior Boys and 6 Form) which is separated from the other sites above by an 8-minute walk, peri drama lessons have the use of a small drama studio and another dedicated LAMDA teaching room. There are three further studio spaces for the teaching of curriculum drama. The Director of Drama and the Performing Arts administrator’s office are based at Castle Campus.
Teachers of Extra Music and Speech and Drama are part of the Performing Arts Department. Those teaching Drama are accountable to the Director of Drama Teachers of Music are accountable to the Head of Music.
General Responsibilities
Teaching: securing and sustaining effective teaching of Music or Speech and Drama, evaluating the quality of teaching and standards of pupils’ achievements, setting targets for improvement and thoroughly preparing pupils to take regular examinations.
Aiming to raise expectations and get the best out of pupils with varying needs and abilities.
Ensuring that every pupil receives the best teaching and learning experience
Constantly assess the impact of the teaching delivered and modify it appropriately to maximise effectiveness
Encouraging interest in the subject through participation in extra-curricular productions or other appropriate activities (e.g. orchestra etc).
Job Description
Encouraging high standards of work, drawing attention to achievement through public performances (e.g. musical concerts and Speech and Drama events) as well as through the preparation for graded examinations.
Designing, setting and managing relevant homework/practice, so that it is a valuable extension of class activities and helps pupils to develop independent learning skills.
Contributing to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through the exploration of a range of dramatic and / or musical genres, texts & activities
Ensuring reports are completed within the published deadlines and that comments and effort grades are individualised and meaningful, providing a valuable form of communication
Annual full reports are currently required for each pupil.
All changes to the teacher’s published timetable must be with prior agreement from the line manager (including planned staff absence)
Being available to assist in the smooth running of Speech and Drama Examination Days and Speech and Drama Evenings by arrangement with the Director of Drama.
Subject Knowledge: Music Curriculum / Speech and Drama Curriculum
Keeping abreast of developments in the Music Syllabi / Speech and Drama specifications
Making use of any opportunities for inter-departmental or intra-departmental initiatives and cooperation.
Keeping abreast of developments in teaching methods and to attend necessary in-service courses by arrangement with the Director of Drama / Director of Music.
Attendance at an annual meeting.
Being familiar with all the requirements for LAMDA examinations
Administrative Expectations
Liaising with the Performing Arts Administrator and Directors of Drama and Music over matters of timetabling and scheduling of lessons within the deadlines requested.
Job Description
Liaising with the Performing Arts Administrator over pupil entries and arrangements for public examinations (e g Trinity-Guildhall, ABRSM, LAMDA or ESB) within the deadlines requested
Providing necessary information to the Administrator to assist in the programming and coordination of musical concerts and LAMDA exams.
Keeping up-to-date registers and evidence / records for pupils attendance and following school policy guidelines about any pupil absence for both lessons and ensembles.
Liaising with the Performing Arts Administrator over matters of billing for pupils.
Producing (or arranging for others to produce) articles for The Berkhamstedian or The
Principal’s Bulletin (with photographs where possible). Submissions should be made to The Performing Art Administrator
