Work at ESA

Elstree Screen Arts Academy is a very different kind of school and Sixth Form college for young people aged 14+. We specialise in behind-the-scenes Media Production, Performing Arts and the Entertainments industry. At ESA, you study core subjects like English, Science and Maths whilst being trained in creative technical skills that prepare you to join the next generation of Multimedia, Production and Performance artists - interweaving theory and culture with practice.

We work with our teaching staff alongside industry partners like our sponsor Elstree Studios (Film and TV productions included: Paddington, The King’s Speech, Strictly Come Dancing, Big Brother, Britain’s got Talent, The Crown) to give students professional experiences within our specialist area.

Danes Educational Trust: Career Opportunities

Experienced Teachers

We offer you:

  • Personalised professional learning package

  • Subject support

  • Leadership responsibilities

Personalised Professional Learning Package

We have in-house training for colleagues at different levels in their careers. We have calendared programmes for all staff to attend; safeguarding, specific teaching and learning and pastoral workshops.

Subject Support

We have a team of advisers and associates who provide support and guidance for a range of subject and whole school priorities. These include changes to curriculum and assessment, BTEC support, safeguarding, new technologies.

In addition, there are consultants in English, Maths and Science who are provided by the Danes Education Trust, who provide ongoing training within the school. Creativity and technology extends to the teaching staff as we support teachers to be confident in using cloud software and solutions, The google platform provides a great training ground and a common ICT language across the community. 

Other Leadership Responsibilities

There are also many opportunities for teachers who take subject and other middle leadership responsibilities to undergo training to support their work as subject leaders and middle leaders. We are part of the Danes Educational Trust and the Hertfordshire Teaching Schools Alliance and benefit from support and expertise available across the trust and other schools who form part of this alliance.

Newly Qualified Teachers

Elstree Screen Arts Academy offers staff many benefits and opportunities in a unique setting. The opportunity to work with industry specialists, teach smaller classes and gain experience of teaching exam classes in your first year of teaching in a unique environment.

For our NQTs we offer an induction programme and a personalised professional learning package. All NQTs have a mentor and teaching and learning coach. They have a reduced timetable with protected time and administration support through the Herts for Learning NQT Manager.

After the Induction Year

Once teachers have passed their induction year, there are a range of courses each year to support teachers’ development in subject areas and whole school initiatives. We welcome teachers that will be committed to our overall vision for all children and young people to be happy, healthy and safe with a bright future.

Overseas Qualified Teachers

Hertsmere Overseas Qualified Teachers Guidelines

For an Overseas Trained Teacher (OTT) we can offer:

  • Management of work permit applications and extensions

  • Excellent induction programme and access to professional development programme and assessment for UK Qualified Teacher Status National pay rates plus London allowance sick pay and access to the pension scheme

  • Paid school holidays

  • Good transport links with easy access to main rail and international airports

Assessment Only (AO)

This is a self-funded option for experienced teachers, which enables successful candidates to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.

Overseas Trained Teachers, who do not qualify automatically under rules introduced in April 2012*, are advised to consider the OTTP** instead. Candidates with at least two years’ experience of whole class teaching are eligible for assessment for exemption from induction in addition to assessment for QTS. The AO is a route to QTS only.

However, Overseas Trained Teachers who have taught in this country for more than four years are eligible only for the AO route. Candidates who have withdrawn from, failed or been turned down for other QTS routes will not normally be considered for the AO route.

Once accepted candidates are expected to qualify in one term. They must pass the QTS Skills Tests in order to complete Stage 2 of the programme. This programme involves support and visits from a Tutor which aims to ensure that candidates are fully conversant with the teaching standards and requirements for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

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*OTTs from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA

Since 1 April 2012 qualified teachers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA can apply to the National College for Teaching and Leadership (previously the Teaching Agency) for qualified teacher status (QTS) without undertaking further training or assessment in England.

**The four year rule: The four year rule applies to teachers who qualified in countries outside of the EEA and Switzerland except for teachers who qualified in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. OTTs are allowed to teach in state maintained schools and non-maintained special schools in England as unqualified teachers for four calendar years. However, they are not permitted to teach in pupil referral units (PRUs) until they have been awarded qualified teacher status (QTS). An OTT is allowed to work as an unqualified teacher and the four year period begins on the first day the individual taught in a state maintained school or a non-maintained special school in England and expires exactly four years later regardless of whether the OTT has taught throughout the four year period.

Staff Wellbeing Committee

Teaching at ESA provides equal amounts of challenges and rewards. As such, it's important to remember to support the staffing body with opportunities to share their opinions, take part in team-building activities and every now and again enjoy a little R&R. The Wellbeing Committee will listen to any concerns ESA personnel have in addition to promoting cohesion amongst the staffing body.

Benefits

  • Part of an outstanding Educational Trust

    Being part of the Danes Educational Trust means that support and opportunities within the trust are very strong. The chance for collaboration across the trust as well as training from outstanding teachers and leaders is an important element of the support given. The HR support includes the use of Access portal - where you can easily view remaining holiday and book time off.

  • Access to high-end professional equipment and facilities
    Book out the studio spaces (recording studio and drama stage) when coursework, exams or students aren't occupying them. Loan Canon DSLR equipment and small lighting kits.

  • Stay healthy and use our Dance Studio, Gym, Yoga equipment and Sports court
    At the end of the day, head up to the Dance Floor and get in shape with our brand new exercise equipment and facilities. Several times every term, students pit themselves against our reigning staff sports team (who play a variety of sports including netball and football).

  • Smaller class sizes at GCSE
    Due to the nature of our specialism KS4 classes tend to be smaller, allowing for more opportunities in engagement and in depth discussion with your classes.

  • Contact hours (9 hours less than mainstream schools)
    You'll have more time to invest in your classes or to catch up on planning and marking.

  • Industry specialist teachers with a range of pedagogic styles
    We have educators who have resumes rich with industry and academic achievement. No matter your specialism, there is a mentor here to support you.

  • Diverse curriculum, focused around creative subjects
    There are plenty of opportunities to infuse your subject with creativity and industry relevance, no matter what field you're in. It's certainly encouraged here.

  • In partnership with Elstree Studios and Hertfordshire University
    Access to equipment, resources and staff from both Elstree Studios and UH to help strengthen the delivery of curriculum at ESA.

  • Projects Team - opportunities to run projects in fields you are passionate about
    If you find yourself want to invest yourself in more extended curriculum activities at ESA, support one of our projects by leading, mentoring or accompanying students working on an ESA Productions brief. Quite often these are film or design focused, but in the past have included musical events, charity campaigns, social media projects and drama performances.

  • Opportunities for career progression
    We are a young organisation with plenty of room for expansion. Every year we are diversifying and fine tuning our offer, so come and make your mark! Help mould the creative arts curriculum at ESA.

  • Excellent staff-student relationships
    We have an exceptionally tight-knit community at ESA. Students studying with us often have to open themselves up to creative critique and as such require a community to surround them which supports their creative endeavours. Elstree offers support in abundance, helping to nurture a safe and collaborative culture around our campus.

  • Staff Wellbeing committee
    Last year we launched the Staff Wellbeing committee - aimed at improving Staff social activities after school and on inset days. Upcoming events include Crazy Golf, Staff Screenings and After-Work gatherings.

  • Laptop for each member of staff
    Every member of staff has access to a Toshiba Netbook laptop. If your role requires you to work with more media-rich content then you will be issues one of our Apple MacBook Pros. Next academic year we will be transitioning towards Google ChromeBooks as we fully invest ourselves in Google's paperless ecosystem.

  • We run on Google's 'G Suite' and have big aspirations to go paperless!
    Since we opened our doors we have had a commitment to ensuring we do not waste natural resources. That began with pledging to use G Suite (formerly Google for Work and Education) as the core method of obtaining and distributing coursework while utilising GoogleDrive to support the administrative backbone of the college. Since opening, Google has launched GoogleClassroom which is now woven into many of our faculties delivery of curriculum and resources. Oh did we mention? There's unlimited storage space. No limits whatsoever.

  • ESA Staff Dress Code
    Enjoy a more relaxed work wardrobe, with guidelines extending as far as 'Media Executive'/Smart Casual' as the defining style. Expect to see your male colleagues wearing plain black jeans, coloured chinos or trousers with a shirt (tie is optional) or smart jumper. Female colleagues can be seen wearing black jeans, chinos, trousers, dresses or skirts with blouses, shirts or jumpers, and so on. We just ask that you dress tastefully and professionally. In addition, we ask that you keep a blazer on the back of your office or within reach at all times (in case we have guests visiting). For more details please refer to the ESA Staff Handbook.

  • Early finish on Fridays
    Fridays are often considered the highlight of the week for many reasons. In our case, you can enjoy a 15:15 finishing time regardless of whether you are teaching, administrative or support staff.

  • Staff vs Students Netball and Football Matches
    Often held in the summer months, these are great events to celebrate the strong positive ethos at ESA!

Location

We are located just down the road from Elstree Studios at the old MGM studio site in Borehamwood. We have a new campus and industry standard facilities. We are 22 minutes from St Pancras by train and served well by London Buses.

Borehamwood has a thriving boulevard shopping centre complete with Tiger, Starbucks, Outfit, M&S FoodHall, H&M and Next for all your shopping needs. The town itself has a variety of commercial and independent stores in addition to a new wave of coffee shops and restaurants on the high street.

As an ESA Staff Member you will receive access to the UNiDAYS app with discounts at major high street brands and entertainment services such as Spotify. Once a year entry cards for Elstree Studios’ ‘Rushes’ bar are distributed to current staff providing access to the exclusive bar and lounge. A short drive north of the college (at the end of Studio Way) is ‘The Mops and Brooms’ – a humble and cosy pub/restaurant that ESA staff favour on the last day of term.