Musical Theatre Associate

About the job

Join Forest Prep School: A Place Where Talent Thrives

As Forest Prep continues to expand, we are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for an exceptional Musical Theatre Associate to join our outstanding team from September 2025.

At Forest Prep, we are ambitious in our vision and uncompromising in our pursuit of excellence. Our pupils flourish in an environment where creativity is celebrated, and the performing arts are embedded in the fabric of school life. From dynamic productions and inspiring masterclasses to a rich and diverse co-curricular offering, musical theatre plays a vital role in nurturing confidence, creativity, and collaboration among our pupils.

This is an opportunity for an outstanding musical theatre practitioner to shape and inspire the next generation of performers. Whether directing a large-scale musical, coaching individual pupils, or collaborating with other departments to deliver innovative interdisciplinary projects, you will be at the heart of an exciting and expanding Performing Arts programme.

Why Forest Prep?

At Forest, we do things differently. We believe that education is not just about achieving academic success, but about fostering a lifelong love of learning, curiosity, and self-expression. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the classroom, ensuring pupils leave us as confident, articulate, and resilient individuals.

This same ethos applies to our staff. We invest heavily in professional development, ensuring that every member of the team is empowered to refine their craft, explore new ideas, and contribute to an evolving educational landscape. Our Professional Learning Programme is both ambitious and extensive, featuring regular seminars, access to StepLab, LinkedIn Learning, and The National College, as well as the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field. Recent guest speakers have included Tom Sherrington, who presented on curriculum strategy and design.

As our Good Schools Guide Review (2023) suggests, Forest is a ‘flourishing, successful and well-led school in a glorious, green setting with consistently strong results that don’t require pupils to sacrifice happiness or wellbeing on the way to achieving them… an education that’s so genuinely rounded you could make hoops from it.’

We believe that working at Forest Prep should be as fulfilling and inspiring as teaching here, which is why we offer an exceptional benefits package that recognises and rewards our staff.

A Culture of Excellence and Wellbeing

Forest Prep has long been recognised for its commitment to both academic and personal development. As described in the Good Schools Guide (2023), Forest is a “flourishing, successful, and well-led school in a glorious, green setting, where pupils achieve consistently strong results without sacrificing happiness or wellbeing.”

We are a school that takes pride in its dynamic, ambitious, and collaborative culture, where teachers and pupils alike are encouraged to take creative risks, develop their skills, and strive for excellence. This is a place where ideas flourish, new approaches are embraced, and the arts are celebrated at every level.

What We Offer

We recognise that great teachers deserve an environment in which they can thrive. Key benefits of working at Forest Prep include:

• A generous CPD budget, significantly beyond what is available in the maintained sector, supporting your professional growth and specialist training.
• An inspiring and collaborative work environment, where creativity, innovation, and professional dialogue are encouraged.
• Access to world-class training and development, including StepLab, LinkedIn Learning, and The National College.
• A stunning campus, set within ancient woodland, with outstanding facilities and a blend of Georgian, Victorian, and modernist architecture.
• A highly engaged and motivated pupil body, where musical theatre is valued, supported, and thriving.
• A thriving co-curricular scene, offering scope to develop personal interests and expertise beyond the classroom.
• A generous holiday entitlement, far beyond that offered in the maintained sector (on average, 17 weeks per year).
• A three-course, high-quality lunch every day, served in the staff dining hall, with a takeaway sandwich option available.
• A 20% fee remission (pro-rata for part-time staff) for children attending Forest, applicable from Year 3 to Year 13.
• Subsidised membership to the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre, Forest’s on-site gym and leisure facility.
• Access to the School’s Group Life Assurance scheme, Personal Accident Scheme, and contributions towards private medical insurance.

Be Part of Something Exceptional

This is an opportunity to join a school where the arts are truly valued and where your expertise will have a tangible impact on the development of pupils and the wider school community. If you are an inspirational performer and practitioner, with a passion for musical theatre and a commitment to excellence, we encourage you to apply.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, so early applications are encouraged. The School reserves the right to make an appointment at any stage.

Closing Date: Friday 7 March 2025, 12:00 midday

Interviews: Week commencing 10 March 2025

For more information about Forest Prep School and our thriving Performing Arts programme, visit www.forest.org.uk/prep.

Commitment to Safeguarding

Forest School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.