ProjectBackground
The Lyceum’s Residency project successfully ran in Craigour Park and Gilmerton Primary Schools throughout the 21/22 academic year and is currently taking place in Frogston Primary and Bun Sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.
The structure sees a drama artist placed in a primary school up to two days per week for a full academic year to:
• support the development of teachers’ skills in using drama and expressive arts practices in classroom settings
• develop an archive of drama-based teaching resources linked to the Curriculum for Excellence
• increase drama provision in the school through the delivery of practical sessions with pupils
One school, Prestonfield Primary, will be receiving the project in the 2023 – 24 academic year, and we are looking to recruit a visionary drama artist with demonstrable experience of working with schools and primary-age children, and proven project management experience to deliver the project. The artist will be placed in the school for the full academic year and must have experience of developing written resources and delivering CLPL events as well as practical drama delivery.
SchoolProfile
Prestonfield Primary is a non-denominational, co-educational school for children of both primary and nursery age, located in the South of Edinburgh. Whilst there are overarching outcomes for the programme as whole, the project is very much a collaboration between artist and school. Given this important relationship, the school is involved in the recruitment process and has identified additional qualities/experiences they would like their artist to have.
The school would particularly benefit from working with a socially conscious artist with experience of inclusive practice Celebrating the diverse community of the school will inform a large part of project activity, so experience of co-creating inclusive work with children and their parents/guardians is essential.
ProjectStructure
A brief outline of expected termly activity is listed below, but exact areas will be informed by individual school needs and preferences.
The Autumn term will see the artist delivering a creative performance project with all classes, linked to the Lyceum’s Christmas production of The Snow Queen. All classes will visit the Theatre on two occasions; once for a backstage tour and once to watch the Christmas production.
The Spring and Summer terms will see the artist delivering specific activity created by the artist in response to school wishes, designed in collaboration with school staff and Lyceum Creative Learning Department. Examples from the previous years have included installations, promenade performances, small sharings, filmed events, after school/lunchtime drama clubs, programmes of work to develop confidence and social skills, literacy initiatives and whole-school projects celebrating diversity and inclusion.
The artist will deliver CLPL events for teaching staff throughout the year to underpin this work, as well as create written resources to be left with the school after the project.
This role is offered on a fixed term, part-time basis of 3 days per week (August 2023 – early July 2024) which we generally expect to consist of the equivalent of two days delivery and one day admin/planning, but the demands of the project, particularly over the Autumn 2023 period, will require more intense periods of working which could be evened out over the course of the year.
JobDescription
• Work in collaboration with Lyceum and school staff to develop, plan and implement an engaging and inspiring drama offer within the school that enables pupils to thrive and become creative performers, as well as providing a solid grounding in key drama techniques and skills
• Work with Lyceum and school staff to identify drama-based training needs, creating and delivering termly CLPL sessions for teaching staff
• Deliver practical drama sessions within school for all ages (P1 – P7, and nursery where appropriate) which may take the form of curriculum-linked workshops, school performances and after-school/lunch clubs as identified by school staff
• Conceive and direct collaborative project-based performances linked to wider school activity and seasonal Lyceum projects
• Develop curriculum-linked blocks of drama-based work in collaboration with school staff, designing and writing teaching resources linked to the Curriculum for Excellence
• Attend regular meetings with Lyceum Creative Learning Producer
• Manage own schedule around meetings, planning and session delivery within the school
• Manage a small budget
• Record participation figures and collect feedback from the school, contributing to and writing sections for evaluation reports as required
• Take responsibility for ensuring all activities within the scope of the role are delivered safely and in accordance with relevant school and Lyceum Theatre Company policies
• Work as a member of the Lyceum Creative Learning department as an additional member of staff during school holidays, delivering holiday course activity as required
This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may change as the residency evolves. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties outside of this as operationally required, but within the reasonable scope of this role, at the request of the Creative Learning Producer.
During School holidays when school delivery stops, some of the successful candidate’s time would be reserved for project planning and taking holiday. If hours allow, they may also be invited to work in the Lyceum Creative Learning Department as an additional member of staff, delivering holiday courses etc.
This is an employed position and will not be considered as a freelance role.
The project is generously supported by Baillie Gifford and the Ellem Foundation.
PersonSpecification
Essential
• Minimum HND equivalent in drama/theatre subjects or proven professional experience
• Demonstrable experience of working creatively with primary-school age children in a formal educational setting
• Experience of devising and directing work with young people
• Experience of co-creating inclusive work with children and their parents/guardians
• Socially aware practice
• Proven project management experience, with the ability to design and deliver a creative vision in collaboration with stakeholders, from early planning stages through to outcome
• Experience of designing and delivering creative training sessions for adults, with targeted outcomes
• Experience of writing resource materials for teachers and pupils
• A positive, creative outlook and the ability to drive change through inspiring others
• Ability to build positive relationships with young people and a wide range of stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience of supporting learning in children of all abilities and backgrounds, particularly young people with additional needs in mainstream settings
• Understanding of young people and the ability to deal with situations of an emotional, sensitive or challenging nature
• A flexible and collaborative approach to working as part of a team and on own initiative, managing competing demands on time
• Knowledge and understanding of the Scottish education system and Curriculum for Excellence
• Thorough understanding of Safeguarding procedures
• A high level of administration and organisational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Desirable
• Knowledge/experience other Theatre disciplines, such as sound, lighting, stage management, costume and set design
• Knowledge/experience of online meeting platforms
• Ability to manage small budgets
• An understanding of the importance of monitoring and evaluating projects
• Experience of completing risk assessments, and collecting and presenting data in a range of formats
• Current clean driving licence and own transport
The post holder must be a member, or eligible to become a member of the PVG scheme.
Toapply
Please apply below with the following information:
• An up-to-date CV highlighting relevant experience, not more than 2 sides of A4
• Covering letter setting out how your skills and experience meet the person specification
• Names and contact details of two referees
We encourage applications from the global majority, disabled, neurodiverse, the LGBTQIA+ community, and those who feel they are underrepresented in the current Lyceum workforce.
The anticipated start date for the position is Monday 21 August 2023 to allow for relevant inductions and planning sessions to take place at the Lyceum, with in-school delivery beginning w/c 28 August
Successful artists may also be asked to complete a briefing/planning period of a maximum of 2 days with the Lyceum and their school in June 2023 to help ease the pressures of the start of a new school year. Specific hours/days for this will be agreed with the appointed post-holders and schools after interview.
Closing date: Tuesday 9 May 2023, mid-day
The first round of interviews will take place on either Tuesday 23 or Wednesday 24 May 2023 at the Lyceum Theatre. These dates are non-negotiable. Please indicate in your covering letter which date(s) would be most suitable for you and we will try and accommodate requests.
Candidates carried forward from this round will be notified by 5pm on Friday 26 May and will be asked to attend a second interview at the school consisting of the delivery of a short workshop with a group of pupils and a meeting with the Headteacher. These interviews are currently scheduled for either Monday 5 or Tuesday 6 June, and further information on arrangements and what to prepare will be sent at the time.