Hampton is one of the country’s leading, most successful and best-resourced independent schools and has been helping boys to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations for over 460 years.

Established over 460 years ago, Hampton is one of the country’s foremost, highest-achieving and best-resourced independent schools. Our community is vibrant, dynamic and happy, making it a wonderful place to teach and learn. Members of the Common Room are talented and hugely supportive of one another and their pupils; they share their love of learning with young people who are bright, intellectually inquisitive and aspirational. Hampton is a lively, friendly and inclusive School community where we aspire to enable our boys to not only to make sense of the world, but also to want to go out and improve it. Above all, Hamptonians are encouraged and indeed expected to aspire to personal best while supporting those around them with kindness and respect.

Situated on a green-field site in a leafy suburb of South West London, we are fortunate to have 28 acres of playing fields within our spacious grounds. Pupils and staff alike benefit from first-class facilities across all areas of School life. These include a state-of-the-art 3G sportsground, a large and well-appointed Sports Hall, and the remarkable Hammond Theatre for the Performing Arts, along with an excellent library and specialist facilities for Art, Music, Science, Technology, Computer Science and Languages (Modern and Classical). Our older pupils enjoy impressive Sixth Form private study and Careers provision in The Barry Martin Centre. The Millennium Boat House, shared with our neighbouring girls’ school, Lady Eleanor Holles, has a prime location on the nearby River Thames, and provides the focal point for our popular and successful Boat Club.

Hamptonians’ examination results and university entrance record consistently rank in the top echelon nationally and indeed internationally. Nearly all Hampton leavers go on to undergraduate courses at Russell Group or equivalent universities; around 25 pupils are offered places at Oxford and Cambridge annually, and a significant number move on to global top-10 universities. We also support pupils who wish to study at universities in North America, some of whom secure academic and/or sporting scholarships. Hampton’s notably diverse, socially inclusive nature is an especially cherished part of our DNA and we as far from being a stereotypical public school as any setting in the independent sector. Currently, 7% of our boys (around 100 in total) attend on means-tested, free places, many of which are funded by a separate but closely linked educational charity, The Fitzwygram Foundation. ‘One of the most genuinely inclusive, diverse independent schools in the London area’. Good Schools Guide

A copy of the full ISI report can found on the School website and a summary booklet of the inspection team’s key findings is linked here.

Please click here to view the Job Description.

An enthusiastic Teacher of Drama with the ability to teach up to A Level is required from September 2026 to join Hampton’s highly successful Drama department.

Drama provision at Hampton School is superb, allowing boys to fulfil their potential and pursue their interest in the theatre, whether it is on stage, in the director’s chair or behind the scenes in a technical capacity. A wide range of School productions are staged throughout the year and are open to all ages.

The School benefits from outstanding facilities, including the Hammond Theatre, a thriving 380 seat Performing Arts Centre and alongside teaching you will play a key role in the organisation of a vibrant and extensive co-curricular programme.

Teaching up to A Level, you will be committed to passing on your expertise of the subject as well as promoting and maintaining the high standards of pupil achievement and contributing to the development of outstanding teaching practice across the department.

Teaching at Hampton, extends far beyond the classroom and academic success. Our exciting co-curricular programme is at the heart of School life and offers pupils countless opportunities to explore their passions, try something new and develop skills that last a lifetime.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our ethos and the School has a thriving partnerships programme. There is also a very strong commitment to supporting the continuing professional development of colleagues.

The post would suit a well-qualified Teacher of Drama experience of teaching in a highly academic setting or an aspiring graduate or Early Career Teacher (ECT).

The School has its own salary scale and offers generous non-contractual benefits, well above the maintained sector, to attract high-calibre candidates. Accommodation may also be available for the successful applicant.

We encourage applications as soon as possible and the School reserves the right to commence or complete the interview process at any time prior to the closing date.

The Department

Drama is one of Hampton’s many strengths with a reputation for the excellence of its extensive range of productions to go with its outstanding Drama facilities. The department consists of two full-time members and one part-time member of the department. There is also a Music Administrator to support the Music and Drama departments, while the Hammond Theatre has a full-time Technical Manager, a Theatre Technician and an Events team.

Drama is taught in the curriculum to all Second Year boys. It becomes an option subject in the Third Year, while in the Fourth and Fifth Years Hampton delivers the EDUQAS Drama GCSE. Drama is an option subject in the Sixth Form and students take the EDUQAS A Level qualification.

The department liaises closely with Lady Eleanor Holles School and a joint musical is performed each October, with the venue alternating between the schools. Senior plays take place throughout the year and include a wide range of genres, from Greek tragedy, through Shakespearian comedy to modern farce.

Younger boys also have the opportunity to perform in co-curricular productions, both plays and musicals. The successful candidate would be expected to direct at least one extra-curricular school play a year.

The successful candidate would be required to run a weekly Junior Drama Club for First to Third Year students.This club provides an opportunity for boys to develop improvisational and performance skills. Additional opportunities are offered through a Technical Theatre Club, as well as a Musical Theatre Dance Club (held at Lady Eleanor Holles School). The aim is to provide opportunities for large number of boys to take part in productions, while also developing our most talented actors.

The Hammond Theatre, a centre of excellence for performing arts, is a magnificent performing space seating audiences of 380. It is both a NT LIVE and Royal Opera House Live venue and the theatre also hosts a growing range of external artistic events from touring companies. There is a further rehearsal and performing space in the Garrick building, the Drama Hall, which is particularly well-suited to more intimate productions, while the School also has its own Dance Studio.

Main responsibilities:

• To teach the Drama curriculum to an excellent standard and to promote the subject through co-curricular activities, such as clubs and productions
• To continually update knowledge regarding ‘best practice’ in the teaching of Drama through personal reading, research, and training
• To promote and maintain the high standards of pupil achievement and contribute to the development of outstanding teaching practice across the department
• To complete all student assessment requirements, including the regular marking of homework and coursework, as required
• To assess, record and track the progress of the students according to the expectations of the Deputy Head (Academic) and the School’s policies
• To use performance data for pupil target setting and progress monitoring
• To deliver teaching of a high standard and to work to promote and maintain standards of achievement across the Department
• To contribute to the pastoral care of pupils as a Form Tutor and the delivery of the PSHE curriculum
• To contribute to a thriving super-curricular programme within both departments. This will include running some co-curricular and extension sessions as well as attending department trips
• To maintain standards of discipline in line with Hampton School policies
• To attend parent and pupil meetings, as required
• To work collaboratively as part of a busy and successful department
• To attend in whole school and departmental INSET and contribute to the evaluation and progress of the Drama curriculum.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach up to 30 (40 minute) lessons per week, which may include a games afternoon’ and a form tutor period.

Essential Criteria:

• A commitment to the Safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils
• A good Drama honours graduate from a reputable university
• The ability to exemplify the characteristics of outstanding teaching practice
• An enthusiastic commitment to all aspects of the Drama Department programmes of academic and extra-curricular activities, up to sixth form.
• A cheerful and well-presented person, capable of inspiring confidence in pupils and parents
• Excellent communication skills, oral, written and in the use of ICT (Microsoft Office). All teaching staff will be supplied with a laptop computer
• An awareness of the demands of teaching bright students and a commitment to fostering high academic achievement
• The ability to work as part of a team
• A professional approach which inspires confidence in teachers, pupils and parents
• Excellent communication and ICT skills
• Prepared to work hard with energy and enthusiasm, avoiding the “9 to 5” approach.
• Calmness and efficiency and the ability to work under pressure at certain times
• Aware of the nature of the School and prepared to commit to its all-round ethos, extra-curricular activities and pastoral approach
• Commitment to continuing professional development through attendance at INSET
• The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with all members of the school community and outside agencies
• Fully aware of Health & Safety issues.

Desirable Criteria

• A higher degree or experience as performer
• A teaching qualification and/or some previous teaching experience
• Experience of external examining
• Experience of teaching academic and talented pupils
• Experience of the EdExcel/Pearson examination board
• Knowledge of the requirements and operation of ISI in terms of teaching, learning and assessment
• The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with all members of the School community and outside agencies
• An ability to offer skills in some part of the co-curricular programme of the School.

Other:

• To act as Fire Marshal and First Aider as required. Training will be provided
• Any other reasonable tasks required by the Headmaster and/or Bursar in association with the above role.

Please note that there may be some changes and additions to the above, which will be discussed before implementation and changes may occur as the post develops. This document is designed to provide applicants with a “flavour” of the position and responsibilities.

Training

Where necessary, to attend INSET training or undergo other on the job training under the general direction of the Head of Department or training outside the school to increase competence, proficiency and safety awareness

Salary and Benefits

Hampton has its own generous salary scale and benefits package. Accommodation may also be available.

NQTs/ECT’s are provided with an appropriate programme of induction leading to QTS, valid across both sectors.

The Hampton School Trust Governors currently offer the following non-contractual benefits to staff, subject to any terms and conditions and the School’s eligibility requirements: death-in-service benefit insurance policy; private health care scheme (BUPA), a healthcare cash plan; enrolment in appropriate Pension Scheme, personal accident insurance, School fee remission, cycle to work scheme, lunch, sports facilities and counselling.

Hampton School is pleased to be a London Living Wage employer.

Please note that the above list is not exhaustive and non-contractual benefits are provided at the discretion of the Governors.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK as Sponsorship is not available.

Equal Opportunities

It is the policy of Hampton School to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals and to prohibit discrimination in employment on any basis protected by applicable law, including but not limited to race, colour, religious creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, medical condition or disability. Hampton School promotes equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment through positive employment policies and practices.

If any special requirements are required to attend an interview, please inform the School.

Offers of employment will be made on merit and suitability of qualifications and experience, in pursuit of our policy of equal opportunities.

Safeguarding

The post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Safeguarding Policy and Procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the School's Safeguarding Designated Persons or to The Headmaster.

The School reserves the right to offer the post at any stage in the appointment process. Further details of the School are available on the website.

Please note all appointments are subject to the Hampton School Trust Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure.

The School is legally required to carry out a number of pre-appointment checks which are detailed in the School's Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure. The information you are being asked to provide in this form is required so that the School can comply with those legal obligations should your application be successful. Please note that in order to be considered for a position at the School, you must complete this application form. A curriculum vitae will not be accepted in place of a completed application form.

Hampton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, contractors and volunteers to share this commitment.