Teacher for Expressive Arts - Dance, Drama and Music

“Education is Success”

An opportunity to work in the only non-private Academy in London that offers both International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes at KS5

Our school

Westminster Academy is a good International Business and Enterprise academy and IB World School serving a diverse community of 11-18 year olds in Central London. The Academy is proud of its work to improve outcomes for students in an inclusive, supportive environment. As a member of the collaborative WA community you will have the opportunity to work alongside an exceptionally talented group of colleagues who are committed to continued professional growth and improvement of the student experience. You can find out more about us on our website, here. 

Our IB Diploma Programme

We are one of very few non-fee paying schools in the U.K. offering the IB Diploma and Career-Related programmes, and we have a longstanding commitment and proven excellence in their delivery. The appeal of the IB Diploma is based on the philosophy of the programme; foreign languages, international-mindedness and service learning are combined with a sustained focus on thinking skills, academic writing and subject specific rigour. It is a challenging programme, but each year we see our IB Diploma graduates leave WA as mature, resilient, knowledgeable, principled and capable individuals, well prepared for the challenges of studying at university.

Teaching at WA

WA’s ethos is committed to developing the best teachers to give our students the best possible education. We aim to use, disseminate and promote a research-led approach to develop classroom practice that enables all students to thrive and make progress. The International Baccalaureate (IB) promotes pedagogies that are student-centred and inquiry-led, and this has inspired our current strategic aims, which are looking to embed and develop these strategies further. To achieve this, we prioritise and devote generous funding to teacher professional learning, both in-house and external, to support our staff at the different stages of their teaching and leadership careers.

Our Expressive Arts department

The Academy delivers six principles of expressive arts as part of a broad and balanced curriculum offer: Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Drama, Media and Food Technology, all of which are studied by all students at KS3. The department takes advantage of exciting local and national opportunities to encourage a passion evoking inquiry and creative expression. 

Our Expressive Arts teachers and leaders work closely across disciplines to promote inclusion, diversity and a love of the arts, nurturing gifted and talented students via its links with the Bi-borough hubs. We are now seeking an enthusiastic colleague with a second subject to join our dedicated team and help our students realise their creative potential.

Our Expressive Arts curriculum and pedagogy

Westminster Academy is a Music Mark School 2021-2022 in recognition of the value we place on music and the arts. At KS3 we integrate the use of technology in lessons through Macs and one-to-one Chromebooks as students are introduced to key concepts and explore the arts from different cultures, with a focus on practical skills. BTEC Level 2 Tech Awards in Music and Dance are offered at KS4, giving students the opportunity to develop practical skills in performance and composition. GCSE Drama is offered at KS4 and students are able to pick their Expressive Arts subjects during the options process. The Performing Arts department achieved outstanding results in 2019 with a pass rate of 95%, including 100% in Dance and Music. Students have continued to achieve impressive outcomes during the pandemic, thanks to the success of our remote learning provision. Our extra-curricular clubs across the arts are extremely popular, and our young musicians, actors and dancers enjoy collaborating with Dance, Drama, Music, Art and Food students to produce and perform at showcases and musicals, both in the Academy and external events.

The ideal candidate will be:

• An excellent classroom teacher who is committed to the success of each individual student 

• Flexible to teach other subjects within the Humanities department

• Experienced in teaching the relevant subject(s) with a relevant university degree

• Able to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their own professional growth and development

• Passionate about their subject to inspire our students

What we offer:

• A competitive salary and benefits package

• Additional responsibilities remunerated via an Extra Responsibilities Allowance (ERA) 

• Sign up incentives available for experienced IB educators

• An excellent programme of continuing professional development

• Relevant training with the International Baccalaureate for teachers of Key Stage 5

• A commitment to staff well being, including access to the local gym, staff social events, free parking and a wellbeing committee

• Excellent transport links and close to central london for the social life and sights of London

How To Apply:

Please send both parts of your completed application form to: hrteam@westminsteracademy.org.uk  

Please note we do not accept CVs.

Closing Date: Sunday 9th June 2024

We may interview candidates ahead of the closing date so early application is advised. The Academy reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the advertised closing date.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. As such there may be additional safeguarding requirements and responsibilities depending on the nature of the role advertised and the extent to which the role will involve contact with children.

The post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

A professional social media check may take place to reduce risks to reputation, confidentiality breach and data security. The check identifies a candidate's online presence to look for negative behaviours such as bullying, racism, nudity and excessive bad language.

The post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020, as the work brings employees into contact with children who are regarded by the Act as a vulnerable group. Applicants for any role at Westminster Academy must disclose all spent and unspent convictions.