Bedales School
Hampshire
Salary:
Salary is commensurate with experience
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Apply by:
29 September 2025
Job overview
Required to start either January 2026 or April 2026, dependent on notice period
An inspirational and encouraging teacher, who embraces and embodies our ethos and values, is sought to lead and develop the Drama Department as Head of Department. Bedales Prep and Pre prep is a unique educational setting, homed in 120 acres of beautiful Hampshire countryside. Our aim is to create an environment where questioning, divergent thinking and freedom to learn from mistakes are all encouraged. Central to our success is the sense that each person is a member of our community whose voice is entitled to be heard and treated with respect. Both our staff and students expect of each other the best kind of relationships – co-operative, authentic and trustful.
Experience & Background
As an outstanding classroom practitioner, you will have a degree in English or Drama or have a relevant professional qualification and/or industry experience. You will have the vision and ability to lead the department to ensure it remains exciting, engaging and relevant to the curriculum. At Bedales schools, creativity is highly valued and Drama is a well-respected outlet for many students. You will oversee the planning, development and implementation of schemes of work, enabling students to attain their optimum potential. Candidates should be abreast of recent pedagogies that promote innovative, enjoyable and successful engagement with the subject. You should be passionate about the Performing Arts and have experience of sharing this through classroom events, visits and events. You will manage LAMDA and Dance programmes in school, as well as lead on and support productions across the whole school. As an effective communicator, your collegiate approach will inspire colleagues to work collaboratively across the whole school towards achieving these outcomes.
Teachers at Bedales Prep and Pre prep are not only excellent teachers but also have a commitment to strong pastoral care and student development.
You should also be keen to play a full and inclusive role in the wider life of our busy Prep boarding community and be able to contribute to the development of our innovative school both pastorally and through co-curricular activities. Taking part in our annual camps week and/or experience of teaching Games would be desirable.
Timetable
You will be timetabled to teach 28 lessons a week. Learning takes place throughout the day and encompasses a form tutor role, co-curricular activities, and support and extension sessions as well as subject lessons. Most core curriculum commitments for students are scheduled from 08:20 to 17:30 from Monday to Friday, and until 12:35 on Saturday. Staff who work on Saturdays receive a half day in lieu in the week. Teachers at the Prep also deliver activities once a week until 19:00.
This post is Regulated Activity.
Benefits
* APTIS pension
* Personal Accident Cover
* Healthcare Cash Plan
* Salary Extras Benefits Platform
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Life Assurance for eligible teachers
* Free school meals during term time
* Free on-site parking
* Fee Remission for eligible staff
* On-site nursery (subject to availability)
* Gymnasium & swimming pool
Pre-Appointment Checks
All candidates will undergo a Safeguarding Suitability Interview and application for an Enhanced DBS and Barred List check and be asked to provide evidence they are eligible to work in the UK, on an on-going basis, at the shortlist stage of the selection process.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for this post, please read the Job Description which includes full details regarding the post. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidelines, CVs cannot be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application form.
For further details on the role and how to apply, please visit the recruitment portal on the Bedales Schools website:
All enquiries relating to the recruitment process, should be forwarded to
Early application is advised as Bedales reserves the right to make an appointment at any stage of the application process.
Closing date: 9:00am on Monday 29 September 2025.
Application screening via Teams: week commencing 6 October 2025
Interview date: week commencing 13 October 2025
Safeguarding Statement
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Candidates will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Prohibition from Teaching Checks, Prohibition from Management Checks.
The safeguarding responsibilities of the post include:
* Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children;
* Fostering a culture of openness, safety, equality and protection;
* Providing a safe and welcoming environment where both children and adults feel secure, able to talk and believe that they are being listened to;
* Playing a key role in prevention of harm and an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may indicate a child is at risk of harm;
* When concerned about the welfare of a student, acting in the best interests of the student.
All staff have a key role to play in identifying concerns early and in providing help for children and are expected to act in accordance with the school Safeguarding & Child Protection Policies.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job candidates to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
About Bedales School
Bedales School
Church Road, Steep, Petersfield
Hampshire
GU32 2DG
United Kingdom
Bedales School is an independent, co-educational, selective, day and boarding school for children aged 3-18. It is situated in Petersfield in Hampshire and there are 460 pupils on its roll. There are admission fees and scholarships and bursaries are available.
Bedales is a charitable trust and was founded in 1893 by J H Badley as a humane alternative to the authoritarian regimes of the late-Victorian public schools. Its founding ethos was, and still is, "Head, Hand and Heart."
Headteacher
Will Goldsmith
Values and vision
The school prides itself on having a strong sense of belonging and it has five core aims for its pupils; to develop inquisitive thinkers with a love learning, to help develop talents through doing and making, to foster each individual and encourage initiative, creativity and appreciation of beauty, to ensure students, alumni, parents and staff take pride in the communities distinctiveness and to feel valued and nourished, and to foster interest beyond the school, with the community and to develop national and international awareness
ISI
"The School is extremely successful in achieving its aims. It is a mutual learning society, determined to maintain its momentum for continuous development. At all stages, students are well educated, and the quality of their achievement and learning is excellent. Students with SEND or EAL achieve well and make rapid progress through the excellent support they receive as their needs are carefully met. More able students and those with particular gifts or talents achieve suitably high standards in a variety of activities."
View Bedales School's ISI report
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