Teacher of Dance (potential Subject Lead) (Maternity Cover)
Chichester Free School, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 1NP42 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
2 July 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
21 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
- Head of year or phase
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Subject
- Dance
Working pattern
- Part time: 0.6fte
Contract type
- Fixed term - Up to one year - Maternity or parental leave cover
Pay scale
- MPS/UPS (Potential TLR: £1,646)
Additional allowances
(Potential TLR: £1,646)
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking an exceptional teacher of Dance with the energy, passion and creativity to teach and potentially lead the subject in the Secondary phase of our thriving All-Through school. This is a maternity cover starting from 1st September. Where appropriate, a TLR will be offered for leading the subject.
The successful candidate will be expected to teach Dance at both Key Stage 3 and 4, with a single group for both GCSE years. You will also be expected to take a proactive role in the extra-curricular life of the school.
You will:
be a well-qualified, enthusiastic graduate of Dance, or a specialist in Dance with a PE qualification
be a highly skilled and competent teacher who is energetic and totally committed to the ethos of the School
readily establish excellent relationships with both staff and pupils
have an up-to-date awareness of current issues relating to Dance teaching, especially AQA GCSE Dance specification
enjoy pioneering new developments in pedagogy
embrace the use of new technologies in the classroom
be skilled in behaviour for learning
value creating an inspiring learning environment
explore opportunities to further participation and achievement in your classroom
possess drive, expertise and enthusiasm
be well-organised and disciplined when it comes to administrative duties
possess an optimistic and resilient style when faced with pressure
be able to communicate well with children and young people, having an understanding of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people
be involved in performances, trips and productions across the academic year
What the school offers its staff
CFS is a vibrant, collaborative and forward thinking school for 4-16 year olds, where the personal development of our pupils is just as important as the academic curriculum. Our values of ‘nurture, challenge and inspire’ influence everything we do as a school, and genuinely permeate all areas of school life. If you are a strong practitioner who shares our values and ideals, we strongly encourage you to find out more about CFS via a visit to the school or through our school website www.chichesterfreeschool.org.uk.
Whilst this is a Secondary post, there is something extremely unique and special about working in an All-Through environment; the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work creatively with colleagues from both phases helping to develop a cohesive and truly progressive educational experience for all learners.
CFS follows national pay scales; this role would be equally suitable for an early career teacher or more experienced teacher. The Upper Pay Scale would be considered for the right candidate and on the agreement of a whole school responsibility in addition to the role outlined below.
The School
CFS is now entering its second decade and is fully established in our state-of-the-art facilities on the Carmelite Convent Site on the Hunston Road in the south of Chichester. Our PAN is 60 in primary, and 120 in Secondary, but in most year groups we are oversubscribed with waiting lists.
As a Free School, we are the same as any other academy; we are both held and hold ourselves to the same exacting and rigorous standards as all state-funded schools. We follow the national curriculum, and are proud of our ambitious, inclusive and varied curriculum offer. Our pupils engage with SATs and GCSE assessments. Since 2013, CFS has achieved two ‘Good’ Ofsted Inspections. As a school we are now striving for excellence in all areas, and to achieve above average outcomes in both phases.
CFS is open to pupils of all abilities. We do not have a catchment area, thus ensuring the School is fair and inclusive. We take part in the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) admissions process. As a school we benefit from longer holidays, specifically at October half term, Christmas and during the summer.
The Performing Arts Team
The Performing Arts team consists of three specialist teachers, one for each of Drama, Music and Dance. Each have their own specialist space within our recently appointed Performing Arts faculty, which is in the heart of the school. The Dance room is a superb space, with a beautiful, vaulted ceiling, a sprung floor, a lighting rig and a wall of mirrors. The team have their own office and meet at least once a fortnight to plan and move forward collectively. Recently the subjects have worked together on the school’s all-through performance of Grease, which incorporated over 50 pupils from years 3 up to 11. There will be performances in next year’s academic calendar that will collaborative again, in addition to a few that will be specific to Dance. The team also organises trips to local theatres and events to enthuse pupils; Lion King and Sister Act are two of the most recent experiences. In addition, Dance also invites in the Boy Blue Dance Company for a Year 9 taster session after Christmas.
The Recruitment Process
For further information and an informal discussion about this post, please do not hesitate to contact us via recruitment@chichesterfreeschool.org.uk or on 01243 792690.
Candidates should complete an application form and supporting statement addressing the criteria presented in the role description and person specification. Completed applications should be sent to recruitment@chichesterfreeschool.org.uk by Tuesday 2nd June 2026 (midday)
Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to this deadline.
A formal contract will be issued once the successful applicant has been appointed. It will be offered subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly CRB) check.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
CFS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In accordance with our Child Protection Policy we are unable to process applications without a fully completed application form. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as ‘spent’ must be declared when applying. The applicant may post such a declaration in an envelope marked ‘Private & confidential for the Principal’. The successful applicant must obtain List 99 clearance and DBS clearance at enhanced level.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Chichester Free School
- School type
- Free Schools, None, ages 4 to 19
- Education phase
- All through school
- School size
- 1078 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Chichester Free School website
- Email address
- recruitment@chichesterfreeschool.org.uk
CFS is now entering its second decade and is fully established in our state-of-the-art facilities on the Carmelite Convent Site on the Hunston Road in the south of Chichester. Our PAN is 60 in Primary, and 120 in Secondary; in almost all year groups we are oversubscribed with waiting lists. Due to demand, we have a bulge intake of Year 7 who started in September 2023, with 150 pupils currently on roll.
The School joined Sussex Learning Trust last September – a move that we personally initiated through the desire to collaborate with a like-minded family of schools. The Trust is currently small and based in Haywards Heath; CFS are well placed to launch a new Chichester Hub of the Trust, which is really exciting.
As a Free School, we are the same as any other academy; we are both held and hold ourselves to the same exacting and rigorous standards as all state-funded schools. We follow the national curriculum, and are proud of our ambitious, inclusive and varied curriculum offer. Our pupils engage with SATs and GCSE assessments. Since 2013, CFS has achieved two ‘Good’ Ofsted Inspections. As a school we are now striving for excellence in all areas, and to achieve above average outcomes in both phases.
CFS is open to pupils of all abilities. We do not have a catchment area, thus ensuring the School is fair and inclusive. We take part in the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) admissions process. As a school we benefit from longer holidays, specifically at October half term, Christmas and during the summer.
Arranging a visit to Chichester Free School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@chichesterfreeschool.org.uk.
School location
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