The College is looking to recruit a recent graduate to support the Drama Department with the weekly programme of drama clubs, rehearsals and lessons, as well as trips, special events and productions.
Graduate Drama Assistant
One Year Contract September 2025 until 26th June 2026
Competitive Salary
Accommodation may be available
The College
Epsom College is an inspiring place to work, renowned for delivering an excellent all-round education to 1,100 girls and boys aged 11-18. We are proud to have been judged ‘Independent School of the Year 2023’ and named by The Sunday Times as the “UK’s Most Improved School” in its 2024 Parent Power league tables.
The College has grown significantly in the past six years, with pupil numbers rising 38% as the result of the opening of our Lower School in 2016, and strong growth throughout the rest of the College. We admit pupils into Years 7, 9, and 12, with an average of five applicants for every space.
Epsom is a happy school. The College values of kindness, ambition and integrity are at the heart of all that we do. Almost all our pupils remain with us for their A-levels, and staff retention is equally strong. Around 60% of staff live onsite, which lends the College a sense of community and togetherness.
From 8am until 6pm, our 72-acre campus is alive with learning; academic lessons also take place on Saturday mornings meaning that pupils have time each day to learn and develop outside the classroom. Our co-curricular programme – which features a vast array of clubs, societies and activities each week – is award-winning (picking up the ‘Best of the Best’ accolade from The Week for six consecutive years); our CCF is one of the largest in the UK; and our Duke of Edinburgh programme currently has over 100 pupils completing their Gold or Silver award.
In addition, our timetable features wellbeing lessons, an award-winning Personal Social Development offering, and an hour each week for volunteering in the community. Last year Epsom pupils gave 8,500 hours of their time to help local charities, schools, and community groups.
When pupils aren’t busy with all of the above, they can relax and catch up with friends in their House. We have 13 single-sex Houses for all our pupils from Year 9 upwards (whether they are day pupils or boarders). This combination of single sex accommodation within a co-ed environment provides pupils with the best of both worlds.
The fact our Houses are physical buildings, where pupils can step through the door into a space that’s entirely their own, is key to the success of our pastoral programme. The Carnegie Centre for Excellence in Mental Health in Schools honoured us with their Gold Award – making us one of just four UK boarding school to receive their top accolade – and in 2023 we were judged Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing.
Our focus on delivering an all-round education that develops the whole child, is regularly celebrated. In the past four years, in both the TES and Independent School of the Year Awards, we have been a finalist in the categories of Boarding School of The Year, Co-Ed School of the Year, SLT of the Year, Creativity in Teaching, Student Wellbeing, Community Initiative, and Sporting Achievement.
We hope that you will want to come and join the fantastic teachers and support staff who work here.
The Department:
The Drama Department is a busy and significant part of the College. It comprises the Director of Drama, the Assistant Head of Drama, and two part-time teachers, one of drama and the other of drama and dance, and a Graduate Drama Assistant. There is also a Drama Technician to support the technical and design aspects of the Department. Finally, there are three members of the school’s AV technical team who provide support to the Drama Department for major events, notably musicals.
The Drama Department produces 3 major productions per year, as well as numerous smaller scale performances including the practical exams for GCSE and A level Drama. We also run weekly drama and dance clubs, including theatre tech and design, as well as numerous theatrical workshops and trips for the pupils, such as a biennial trip to New York. LAMDA and dance lessons working towards exams are also popular amongst pupils.
The Role:
The College is looking to recruit a recent graduate to support the Drama Department with the weekly programme of drama clubs, rehearsals and lessons, as well as trips, special events and productions.
The responsibilities will be tailored to the skills and talents of the successful candidate.
This role will suit a recent graduate who is looking to further their experience in the leadership and management of performing arts, notably whilst working with young people. Candidates considering a career in teaching will be provided with opportunities to assist in the classroom and observe a range of lessons and rehearsals. Candidates with an interest in theatre design, tech and/or/stage management will have a great many opportunities to further their professional development in these areas.
Reporting to: Director of Drama and responsible to the Assistant Head: Total Curriculum
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
· With guidance and support from the Director of Drama, to direct or co-direct one of the main school productions;
· To assist with the stage management, tech and design of school productions;
· To assist with the direction, choreography and/or singing involved in school productions;
· To assist with the rehearsal of academic drama performances at GCSE and A level, as well as potentially some other areas of curriculum teaching;
· To assist with the delivery of weekly co-curricular activities in the Drama Department;
· To assist with drama and dance trips and workshops;
· To assist with the administration surrounding co-curricular and academic activities in the Drama Department;
· To support students in audition and application processes for organisations, such as the National Youth Theatre, as well as for higher education such as vocational drama school;
· To assist with any aspects deemed appropriate by the Director of Drama in relation to the effective running of the Drama Department;
· To be a House Tutor.
Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment including regular training attendance.
No job description can fully cover all aspects of the role and consequently the responsibilities are likely to evolve and change over time. This description gives an overall view of the position.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
· Demonstrate an enjoyment of working with young people;
· Be educated at degree level or equivalent qualification, likely within the performing arts;
· Have a desire to instil a passion for the performing arts in young people and augment their theatrical knowledge and understanding;
· Have an understanding and appreciation of safeguarding and health and safety protocols;
· Demonstrate efficiency and a sense of humour, with a proven ability to remain calm and professional at all times;
· Provide evidence of flexibility, adaptability and a willingness to undertake a range of tasks and commitments, with proven administrative skills and a good IT literacy;
· Demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills, and be able to work either as part of a team or independently;
· Display an ability to use initiative and take responsibility;
· Behave and act as a member of staff when working with pupils and maintain an appropriate distance;
· Demonstrate good communication and listening skills and be able to build relationships with pupils and staff;
· Be flexible and adaptable.
Desirable Criteria
· Drama GCSE and/or A level qualification(s);
· Experience in directing theatre;
· Experience of leading young people, ideally within the performing arts, with a range of ages and abilities;
· Skills, supported by demonstrable experience, in the supervision and care of children, either individually or in groups;
· Specialist knowledge in areas such as stage management, technical theatre, theatre design, dance, choreography, singing, and/or particular styles of theatre.
In order to arrive at a decision, the selection panel may enhance any of the desirable criteria.
We are committed to the principles of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion. Our aim is to attract and retain the very best staff, ensuring that our staff body reflects the diversity of our students and local community.
Terms and Conditions
· Salary: competitive salary offered
· Accommodation: Furnished, shared accommodation could be available with no additional cost to you. The Graduate Drama Assistant may remain resident during the school half term holiday,
· Hours: Statutory holiday entitlement to be taken during the College’s holiday published dates. There is an expectation to attend planned trips and drama events that take place during school holidays. Trips and events for drama in the holidays are rare, however, and likely a maximum of one per year.
· Meals: All meals are available free of charge during term time.
· Holidays: Statutory holiday entitlement to be taken during College’s holiday published dates. An expectation to attend pre-season training or sports tours that take place during school holidays.
· Pension: The College operates the Epsom College Automatic Enrolment Scheme. The Scheme is administered by the Pensions Trust. Eligibility is based on statutory criteria. If eligible, the Employee will be required to contribute a minimum of 5% of Basic Salary and the College will contribute 4% in compliance with pension regulations.
· Life Assurance: Life assurance cover for active and contributing members of the College pension scheme.
· Health Care Plan: Private health care plan offered to staff subject to qualifying conditions;
· Employee Assistance Programme: Employees have access to the College’s EAP including counselling and other well being support.
· Gym and Pool membership: Free use of school gym and swimming pool at various times during the week including weekends.
· Offer of Post: The post will be offered subject to receipt of satisfactory written references, pre-placement medical assessment, proof of appropriate qualifications, an on line search of public internet search engines and social media to ascertain suitability to work within a school environment, and satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if appropriate, as well as confirmation that the successful candidate is able to work in the UK. Prior to interview an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and publicly accessible platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants who have been shortlisted. Please note whilst the Enhanced DBS check will be paid by the College if an overseas police check is required it will be at the cost of the successful applicant.
Method of Application
In compliance with statutory safer recruitment regulations, candidates to complete an application form which can be downloaded via our website www.epsomcollege.org.uk. Please refer to our Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure policy on our website.
Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews may occur at any stage after applications are received. We therefore invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Applicants are encouraged to contact our Director of Drama and Dance for an informal chat Lara.Jakes@epsomcollege.org.uk
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College Road, Epsom, KT17 4JQ
01372 821000
https://www.epsomcollege.org.uk/about-us/careers/
Closing Date: 23 June 2025