Director of Performing Arts

The School:

Wetherby Pembridge school is the latest demonstration of Inspired's commitment to providing the highest academic excellence, curriculum rigour, extensive premium extra-curricular facilities, and the very best support in accessing the top universities in the world.

This exceptional co-educational senior school will open in Kensington, London in September 2025 and will enable students to gain access to Inspired’s global best practices in teaching and learning, as well as global exchange and summer camp programmes, providing students with even more opportunities to transform and broaden their horizons.

The school will build on the academic success and heritage of our Wetherby and Pembridge Hall Pre-Prep and Prep Schools. Wetherby Pembridge will provide a premium, academic senior school pathway for pupils who are looking for an academically excellent, London co-educational senior school.

The school will feature state-of-the-art learning environments with future-ready classrooms and labs, a library with an eight-floor glass atrium, professional-standard theatre facilities, STEAM Maker Spaces using the latest AI and VR technology and a vibrant Creative Arts programme.

The Role:

We are delighted to welcome applications from outstanding, dynamic and suitably experienced individuals for the role of Director of Performing Arts, to be in post ready for the school opening in September 2025. This is a rare opportunity for the right candidate to work with the Founding Leadership Team to craft a truly world-class performing arts programme from the ground up. The Director of Performing Arts will be a key member of the school’s founding team and will have a particular specialism in either Drama or Music. The successful candidate will have responsibility for all aspects of both curricular and co-curricular Performing Arts in the school, and will have considerable autonomy in developing an innovative, ambitious and comprehensive provision for this exciting new chapter in the Wetherby Pembridge journey. 

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Responsibility for all aspects of Performing Arts provision within the school
• Fostering a culture in which broad engagement with the Performing Arts is an inherent part of the Wetherby Pembridge experience 
• Line management of all Music, Drama and Dance teaching staff, including the interviewing, appointment and management of a range of peripatetic staff as required 
• Line management of all technical staff in the Performing Arts Department
• Leading on the curricular provision of Music, Dance and Drama
• Teaching a reduced timetable allocation in either Drama or Music, depending on the specialism of the successful candidate; there may also be opportunities for some English teaching for appropriately qualified candidates 
• Developing and leading a co-curricular Performing Arts programme that is both inclusive and delivered to an extremely high standard
• Establishing, nurturing and monitoring an appropriate range of choirs, orchestras and ensembles 
• Ensuring that a full, vibrant and high-quality drama programme is in place
• Engaging with stakeholders in the wider community to develop and maintain a robust Performing Arts partnership programme 
• Assisting the Headmaster and the Deputy Head (Academic) with the shortlisting, interviewing and appointment of teaching staff as required
• Assisting the Admissions Team with the interviewing and assessment of Scholarship candidates

The ideal candidate will have:

• PGCE, QTS or equivalent with strong academic credentials, including a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, and the right to work in the UK
• Significant experience of delivering outstanding Performing Arts provision in a high-performing school environment
• Ideally, current experience as a Head of Music or Head of Drama
• The ability to teach Music or Theatre Studies to A Level
• The resilience, drive, strength of character and sense of both humour and perspective to thrive in a fast-paced, demanding and ambitious environment    

In addition, all teachers at Wetherby Pembridge are expected to demonstrate:

• An understanding of and alignment with the Wetherby Pembridge Values and ethos
• Excellence as a classroom practitioner
• A depth of understanding in the relevant subject area
• Ability to judge learning effectiveness and adapt teaching appropriately, including the use of technology to assist with informing feedback and support
• Outstanding preparation and planning
• A forward-looking approach to the use of educational technology as a tool to enhance teaching and learning
• Genuine care and attention for the highest standards of student welfare, including through the Tutor system and assisting with the delivery of PSHE. All full-time teachers at Wetherby Pembridge are Tutors, responsible for a designated group of students within a House
• Experience in operating as part of a collaborative and collegial team
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work both collaboratively and independently
• A commitment to professional development
• Enthusiasm, energy and a positive and flexible approach
• Ability to engage and motivate young people
• Ability to manage own workload, to cope well under pressure and meet deadlines
• Interest in working with students inside and outside the classroom to support their learning and personal development
• Readiness to engage whole-heartedly in the co-curricular and wider life of the school; all full-time teachers at Wetherby Pembridge undertake at least two significant co-curricular responsibilities
• Recognition of the importance of personal responsibility for health and safety
• Commitment to the safeguarding of students and child protection as well as equal opportunities

Safeguarding Statement

Inspired Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. 

School Application Form

Please download and complete this application form and attach it as an additional document to your application. Inspired UK Application Form (Teaching) 2024-25.docx