Freelance Artist (Future Foundations)
| Job Title | Freelance Artist |
| Department | Creative Engagement |
| Responsible to | Education Producer |
| Key working relationships | Education ProducerCreative Engagement AdministratorHead of Creative Engagement |
About the Project
Future Foundations is a three-year, in-school theatre programme designed to support Key Stage 2 pupils (Years 4–6) across seven Essex schools who are experiencing or at risk of Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), have SEND, or face potential exclusion. Future Foundations aims to reduce emotionally based school avoidance by using drama to build pupils’ confidence, wellbeing, and classroom engagement. The project supports academic progress—particularly in literacy and communication—while helping at-risk students navigate the transition into secondary school.
Delivered during the school day in small, focused groups of around 10 pupils, the project offers two key strands:
Literacy Through Drama, which supports curriculum-based English learning using creative activities, and
Verbatim Theatre, a more exploratory, therapeutic-informed process that helps pupils express their lived experiences through original performance.
Alongside working with young people, the Future Foundations project will deliver professional development to Teaching and Learning Assistants, equipping them to lead drama-led learning and embed inclusive practices across school communities.
The programme champions the arts as a powerful tool for equity, engagement and long-term educational change. This targeted, high-impact intervention places creative learning at the heart of school inclusion strategies.
The brief
The recruited artists involved in this project will be involved with two strands of the delivery across 7 different schools in Essex that have demonstrably high levels of absence amongst their pupil population;
STRAND 1; Literacy through Drama.
Artist will deliver weekly term time sessions using this established programme. The focus is on improving literacy skills through drama activities. Support and guidance on the programme is be offered throughout.
STRAND 2; Verbatim Theatre
Artist will deliver weekly term time sessions using verbatim theatre models and exercises to address EBSA. Artists who are recruited for this part of the project must first participate in a 1 day training session with a Verbatim Theatre Specialist as a compulsory part of the engagement. Ongoing support and guidance will be offered throughout.
Main Duties
Working closely with the Mercury’s Education Producer and other stakeholders, Freelance Artists will;
• As part of the team deliver activities across strand 1 and/or strand 2 as scheduled
• Work in one or more schools once a week over 6 terms between the dates stipulated.
Generate tailored session plans in collaboration with school staff, with training and support from organised by the Mercury.
Ensure all session content is accessible and inclusive.
Model a range of teaching models that utilise storytelling and theatre making throughout.
Comply with all Mercury policies, procedures and good practice, including Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies.
• Act as ambassador for the Mercury in the selected schools.
• Participate in the ongoing and final evaluation processes.
Be a positive pastoral role model.
Support participants who are disengaged and engage with support staff to promote inclusion and participation wherever possible.
• Liaise with the Education Producer as directed regarding any concerns or issues that arise.
NB This project brief is a guide to the nature of the work required of this position. It is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and does not preclude change or development that might be required in the future
Commitment:
The project runs term time from July 2026 to June 2029 with in school sessions running from September 2026 to December 2028.
• In school sessions are weekly and each lasts approximately one hour for 10 weeks.
• A minimum of 30 minutes each week to plan the in school sessions
Artists will attend one compulsory (paid) Literacy Through Drama and one Verbatim Theatre training sessions in July 2026.
• Attendance at other paid training sessions as scheduled.
Terms and Conditions
Fee:
Paid on submission of a valid invoice.
£32 per session (including session set up time in school) plus £14 planning fee for each workshop. Travel costs for delivery in school will be paid for the most direct route of standard class travel. Maximum travel fee per return journey will be £10 per workshop paid on proof of receipt or proof of mileage.
Training will be paid for pro rata of £200 per full day.
The artist remains responsible for their own tax and NI payments in relation to this engagement
Hours:
Each session in school is expected to be a minimum of
1 hour a week during term time.
Probationary Period:
One month
Notice Period:
Two month notice period
This role has regular contact with children and/or vulnerable adults therefore an Enhanced DBS check will be required.
Person specification
Experience
Experience with primary age workshop delivery.
• Good behaviour management skills.
• Able to adapt to a range of different settings.
Experience of working with SEND children.
• Understanding and experience of good practice in safeguarding young people.
Qualities
• Well organised
• Good time keeping and ability to meet deadlines
Approachable within delivery settings and good communication skills remotely and in face to face environments.
• Full DBS with update service.
Preferable
First aid training
• Knowledge of drama therapy
• Knowledge of verbatim theatre techniques.
How to apply:
To apply for this post, please send a letter of no more than 2 sides of A4, explaining what attracts you to this position, and evidence of your ability to meet the brief and person specification. Please an outline of your availability for the period between September 2026 and December 2028.
In addition, with your application, please supply:
• Your CV
Names and contact details for two employment/professional referees, however, we shall not take up references unless candidates are invited to a second interview
A completed Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form (downloadable from https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk )
Applications should be submitted via Staffology by 10:00am on Monday $\pmb { 2 2 ^ { \mathrm { n d } } }$ June.
Interviews will take place on Tuesday ${ 3 0 } ^ { \mathrm { t h } }$ June.