GYA Taunton
Drama Teaching Assistant
Job Description

Department

Location

Responsible  to

Responsible  for

Salary &
Contract

Guildhall Young Artists

Richard Huish College, Taunton, TA1 3DZ

Head of GYA Taunton

Supporting drama students at Guildhall Young Artists
Taunton, including working with individual lessons and in
group workshops to support the teaching and learning in a
pastoral capacity
Contract for academic year (2025/26)
Saturdays mornings (up to 13:20) in term time, from
November 2025
Self-employed, £21 per hour
10 weeks per term pro rata

ABOUT GYA TAUNTON & GUILDHALL YOUNG ARTISTS
Guildhall Young Artists Taunton (GYA Taunton) is an exciting, vibrant, and
accessible Saturday performing arts centre based at Richard Huish College,
Taunton.

GYA Taunton is part of a national under-18s network of 6 similar centres which are
part of Guildhall Young Artists (GYA), a department of Guildhall School of Music &
Drama, London.

Students aged 5 to 18, from a range of backgrounds, access music and drama
training at GYA Taunton in group workshops as well as individual tuition, all
delivered by top creative practitioners and industry professionals.

Personalised timetables fit the needs of each student. Every individual is nurtured to
create, perform, improvise, and collaborate with peers at regular performances and
other learning opportunities.

ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for an enthusiastic Teaching Assistant (TA) to join our GYA Taunton
community and play a key role in the development of our drama provision. Our
performing arts centre has a dedicated and experienced team of teaching and support
staff. We have strong links with Guildhall School and our host venue Richard Huish
College, and have extremely supportive parents.

We are seeking to appoint a TA who is able to support children and young people in a
pastoral capacity in their performing arts learning, both within a group and on a 1-1
basis. We need the TA to be a good team player and willing to promote active
participation in the drama workshops at GYA Taunton, to be able to work flexibly in a
busy setting, and be a good communicator.

Key Relationships

•  Head of GYA Taunton
•  Lead Administrator
•  Drama Tutor
•  Other centre practitioners
•  Designated Safeguarding Lead & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
•  Parents and carers
•  Visiting practitioners
•  Guildhall School of Music & Drama and colleagues in the wider GYA network

DUTIES

•  To support young people in drama workshops and projects across the
age ranges - from GYA Taunton’s youngest students through to higher
education entry.

•  To support the development of the drama curriculum by sharing ideas

with the Drama Tutor.

•  To research and provide information and advice as needed regarding access
to appropriate higher education courses to students and parents, including
signposting to open days, audition workshops, summer schools, transition
events and other opportunities.

•  To embrace an inclusive learning environment offering personalised pathways for
students of all experience and abilities and needs, monitoring to ensure individual
welfare and progress.

•  To use effective strategies for managing behaviour positively.
•  To communicate efficiently and liaise with the Head of Centre, staff and

parents as appropriate.

•  To follow all safeguarding and associated policies, promoting good practice to

students.

•  To ensure compliance with all other policies and to complete all associated
training as required and show a commitment to continued professional
development.

•  To attend and participate in meetings and monitor GYA emails regularly.

DISCLOSURE & BARRING SERVICES CHECKS & SAFEGUARDING

•  To  provide  the  Head  of GYA  Taunton  with  evidence  of fitness  to  carry  out the
services  outlined  in  the  form  of  prior  clearance  by  the  Disclosure  and  Barring
Services (DBS) and provide an up-to-date DBS Certificate to the City of London
Corporation.

•  Continue to be registered with the DBS Update Service and shall be reimbursed

the annual registration charge on production of the Certificate and proof of
payment.

•  To abide by Guildhall School’s Safeguarding Policy and undertake training as

required by Guildhall School. Please find Guildhall School’s Safeguarding Policy
and other policies at this link.

HEALTH & SAFETY

To take reasonable care for all Health & Safety matters concerning oneself and
others, in accordance with City of London Corporation’s Health & Safety procedures.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

To conduct all activities taking account of Guildhall School’s and City of London

Corporation’s Equal Opportunities policy, ensuring that all clients, contacts, students
and employees are treated fairly and with dignity and respect.

To promote Guildhall School’s commitment to equality and diversity and to ensure that
all students comply with the policy in all their activities.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Once an offer of work has been made, and trial period completed, the services
would be provided through a Contract for Services on a self-employed basis with
City of London Corporation for specific and agreed hours (not include breaks which
are unpaid) at the hourly rate of £21.00 pro rata for 2025-26 academic year.

Please see attached GYA Taunton term dates for 2025–26 and note GYA Taunton
opening times are 08:30 - 16:30 on 30 Saturdays per academic year, but the number
of weeks per term varies between 9, 10 and 11 weeks.

GYA Taunton - Drama Teaching Assistant – Person Specification

Essential

Desirable

Technical skills, qualifications, and experience

•  Educated to A Level (or equivalent) in relevant

subjects

•  Experience in an education environment with

safeguarding and Prevent

•  Acting training at FE or HE level
•  Interest in teaching within a specialist

environment

•  Ability to motivate, enthuse and inspire

young people

•  Ability to adapt to individuals’ needs and

learning styles

•  Ability to support the planning,
management and delivery of
performances by students

•  Good verbal and written communication skills

and confidence

•  Engagement with suitable networks and
professional bodies with a commitment
to continued professional development
•  Understanding of the centre’s commitment
to safeguard and promote the welfare of
children

Business Skills

•  Ability to communicate well effectively both

orally and in writing

•  Ability to develop and sustain relationships
with Guildhall School colleagues, students,
parents and carers

•  Ability to work as part of a committed team
•  Ability to work on Saturdays in Taunton
•  Ability to offer drama career guidance to

young people
•  First Aid trained

Personal Skills

•  Ability to support and motivate young people
•  Enthusiasm and commitment to GYA Taunton
•  Efficient and organised
•  Ability to prioritise and manage own workload
•  Self-motivated with a calm approach and
understanding of professional behaviour
expected

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Guildhall School of Music & Drama is committed to safeguarding and safer recruitment process. All staff
have the responsibility to follow best practice as set out in our Safeguarding Policy.

GYA TAUNTON AUTUMN TERM DATES from November 2025

Saturday 8 November – week 5
Saturday 15 November – week 6
Saturday 22 November – week 7
Saturday 29 November – week 8
Saturday 6 December – week 9
Saturday 13 December – week 10

Holidays – no GYA Taunton – Sat 20 & 27 Dec & 3 Jan

SPRING TERM DATES 2026

Saturday 10 January – week 11
Saturday 17 January – week 12
Saturday 24 January – week 13
Saturday 31 January – week 14
Saturday 7 February – week 15

Half Term – no GYA Taunton – Sat 14 & 21 Feb

Saturday 28 February – week 16
Saturday 7 March – week 17
Saturday 14 March – week 18
Saturday 21 March – week 19
Saturday 28 March – week 20

Holidays – no GYA Taunton – Sat 4, 11 & 18 April

SUMMER TERM DATES 2026

Saturday 25 April – week 21
Saturday 2 May – week 22
Saturday 9 May – week 23
Saturday 16 May – week 24

Half Term – no GYA Taunton – Sat 23 & 30 May

Saturday 6 June – week 25
Saturday 13 June – week 26
Saturday 20 June – week 27
Saturday 27 June – week 28
Saturday 4 July – week 29
Saturday 11 July – week 30 – Last day of term

GYA Taunton Summer Holiday Course in August 2026 (dates TBC)
An action-packed week of fun workshops in music, drama, production arts, art & design & more for all 10-18s.
Guildhall Young Artists Taunton, ℅ Richard Huish College, South Road, Taunton, Somerset TA1 3DZ
gyataunton@gsmd.ac.uk | gyataunton.org.uk | 07754 217993 | @GYATaunton