TEACHER OF DANCE

Required for September 2026

Salary: MPS / UPS / UQTS depending on experience.  We will accept applications from suitably qualified dance teachers who do not have QTS.

Hours: Around 25-30 hours per week.  Part-time applications are welcome.

We are seeking an inspirational and committed Dance teacher for Northstowe Learning Community Sixth Form.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate dance educator and practitioner to shape a high-quality vocational programme that nurtures creativity, technical excellence and progression into higher education and professional careers.

About the Course

The course comprises 13 units, including:

·         7 compulsory units that underpin core technical, performance, and theoretical knowledge

·         6 optional units, allowing for specialism and personalised pathways 

Assessment is a combination of:

·         External assessment (set tasks and examinations)

·         Internal assessment (coursework, performance, and practical exploration)

Students benefit from:

21 hours of dedicated teaching per cycle, including:

·         Practical dance training

·         Theoretical and contextual studies

·         Rehearsal and performance preparation

·         Access to a professional-standard dance studio

·         Teaching delivered by qualified professional dancers and specialists

 In addition, students are encouraged to broaden their experience through enrichment opportunities such as:

·         Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

·         Core Maths

·         Gold Arts Award

·         Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

These enrichment pathways support the holistic development expected within BTEC performing arts education, enhancing independence, research, and professional readiness.

The ideal candidate will have:  

·         Has strong experience in dance performance and/or education

·         Understands vocational assessment frameworks, particularly BTEC (or is willing to develop this expertise)

·         Is passionate about developing young performers both artistically and academically

·         Can inspire, lead, and collaborate effectively with staff, students and parents.   

·         Has a clear vision for dance education and progression pathways.      

·        An interest in and evidence of continuous improvement and professional development.

·         Successful teaching experience in an 11-19 environment.

·         An excellent track record of educational outcomes.         

·         Outstanding interpersonal skills to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, students, parents and others.

·         A passionate and uncompromising commitment to maintaining high standards of teaching and learning for all students.

·         A thorough understanding of child protection and safeguarding matters.

·         The school’s core values of kind, curious and hardworking at the heart of everything they do.

About Northstowe Learning Community (NLC)

Northstowe Learning Community brings together:

·         An 11–16 secondary school (NSC)

·         Northstowe Sixth Form (NSF)

·         Northstowe Primary School (NPS)

Situated on the Northstowe Education Campus, NLC is co-located with the Trust’s Martin Bacon Academy.  This specialist provision provides an innovative experience for its sixth form students through full integration with the Northstowe Sixth Form.  This creates a vibrant educational hub where inclusion, collaboration, and excellence are central to the student experience.

From September 2025, the school contains:

·         One Reception and one Year 1 class (as the primary builds to its full 3FE (630 capacity)

·         Approximately 760 students in Years 7–11 (as the secondary builds to its eventual 12FE 1800 PAN)

·         Around 112 sixth form students (45 students in Year 13 and 67 students in Year 12).  The Sixth Form will grow over time to reach its capacity of 400.

NLC continues to grow rapidly in step with the new town of Northstowe, which will eventually be home to around 30,000 residents accommodated in up to 10,000 homes.  The school is deliberately designed to play a key role in the provision of community facilities to reflect the Cambridgeshire Village College ethos.

Our Journey So Far 

Northstowe Secondary College opened in 2019 with its first Year 7 cohort of just 71 students. In September 2024, the addition of both primary and sixth form phases marked a major milestone in our development and the school was renamed Northstowe Learning Community to reflect its expanded and unified identity.  

With the recent completion of Phase 2 of our building programme, NLC now features:

·         An additional new specialist block for 11–16 education

·         A state-of-the-art primary school building

·         A purpose-built sixth form centre

Phase 3 will commence once further housing development is confirmed. Once complete, Northstowe Learning Community will be one of the largest schools in the East of England, with capacity for approximately 2,800 students from Reception through to Year 13. The campus aims to serve all ages and abilities, taking a lead role in bringing people together to create a sustainable and empowered local community.

Our Ethos and Vision

At NLC, we are committed to providing outstanding teaching and pastoral care, creating a culture where students work hard, enjoy learning, and thrive. Our dedicated staff are warm, approachable, and determined to give every child the best possible start in life.

As a classroom teacher, you will:

·         Deliver high quality teaching and pastoral support to all students.

·         Set high expectations to inspire, motivate and challenge students to achieve their best.

·         Use your excellent subject and curriculum knowledge to plan and teach well structured lessons.

The opportunity:      

·         To join our motivated, friendly staff and students in a highly-regarded multi-academy Trust with a strong community presence. 

·         To work collaboratively with teachers within the Trust, sharing excellent and innovative practice and benefiting from the support and guidance of an experienced network of colleagues.

·         To gain expertise and support from our wider trust network of specialist advisors with access to informal and formal professional development.       

·         To contribute to the culture where students experience a positive and enriching education, ensuring teaching is underpinned by high levels of subject expertise.

About Meridian Trust – 

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. 

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to – 

·         Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in.

·         Access to our benefits partner Vivup - benefits include an online GP, Lifestyle savings, support for mental health and wellbeing through the Employee Assistance Programme and many more

·         Cycle to work scheme

·         Teacher’s pension scheme

·         Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations

·         Free on-site parking

·         Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays 

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/.

How to apply:

For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below. 

Applications must be submitted via My New Term.  In line with safer recruitment practices, we are unable to accept CVs.  If you have any questions about the application process or you would like to arrange a visit to the school, please contact Sarah Wakerley, HR Officer on recruitment@northstowe.education to arrange an appointment.  Please note the school is closed for half term from 16^th to 20^th February 2026.

Closing date for applications is: Thursday, 25^th June March 2026. (by 8am).  

Interview date is Friday, 3^rd June 2026.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. 

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.