Dunottar School - Teacher of English and Drama

Dunottar is a co-educational school for pupils aged 11-18 set in extensive grounds of 15 acres on the outskirts of Reigate. Under the Headship of Mark Tottman, the school is on a very exciting journey having won the prestigious Education Business Award for the ‘Outstanding Progress – UK Independent Schools’ category 2019. Dunottar is experiencing fast growth in pupil numbers and to accommodate this expansion, we have recently completed a £6.6 million capital development programme to build a new Sixth Form Centre and Assembly Hall/Performing Arts Centre. 

Dunottar is a great place to work, with a team of highly professional and committed teachers and support staff. We incorporate best practice from independent schools and academies right across the United Learning Group, whilst retaining our unique, friendly ethos in Reigate where pupils are nurtured to make significant personal progress at the same time as achieving excellent academic results. United Learning is an outstanding organisation which prides itself on providing a working and learning environment which encourages ‘the best in everyone’. You will join a network of staff belonging to over 90 other schools, with opportunities to engage with fellow professionals which far exceed what one school could achieve on its own. Personal development and career opportunities are excellent. They will also play an active role in the extensive and varied co-curricular program, both during the working week and some weekends. 

We are looking to employ a well-qualified and inspirational English and Drama Teacher on a full time or part time basis from September 2024. Part time applications will be considered depending on the level of flexibility offered.

English Department

The English Department, one of the largest in the school, is extremely successful. At GCSE, students follow the AQA syllabus for English Language and English Literature while at A-level, they follow the OCR English literature syllabus. Classes at Key Stage 3 and 4 are set according to ability. 

The department encourages students to read as widely as they can through weekly lessons in the library for Year 7, a ‘book bingo’ initiative, e-books, a news app, visiting speakers and competitions. Co-curricular involvements include a student eMagazine, a writers’ circle, an oracy day, theatre visits and enrichment lecture days.

Drama Department

Drama is a large part of Dunottar School life and dramatic productions are always a highlight of the school year. We have successful Drama Department with growing numbers of pupils opting to take GCSE drama each year. The drama department has a thriving co-curricular offering, with students participating in a whole school production, a lower school production drama scholar showcase and the Shakespeare Schools Festival each year.

In January 2021, we opened our £4.5million Performing Arts Centre. This state-of-the-art facility comprises a 500-seat theatre equipped with all the latest lighting and acoustic technology, large drama studio, along with multiple music classrooms and practice rooms. This fantastic new facility provides a unique performance space to motivate and inspire our performing arts pupils.

The Role

We are looking for someone with an ability to stimulate curiosity and interest in English and Drama and who is prepared to give full commitment to the aims and ethos of the Departments and to Dunottar School.  

Both the English and Drama departments are friendly, welcoming and supportive: staff are keen to share resources and embrace new ideas, aspiring to keep their teaching fresh and exciting. Both departments aim to stretch and challenge every student to realise their potential. We are therefore looking for a dynamic teacher of English and Drama. Applications are invited from well-qualified and talented teachers for this post. We would welcome applications from early career teachers and experienced teachers alike. We also have the United Teaching route available for unqualified applicants looking to undertake their PGCE part time whilst working/teaching.  

The successful candidate will share our passion for developing the work of the department and sharing good practice. They will also play an active role in the extensive and varied co-curricular program at the school, both during the working week and some weekends.

Key Responsibilities 

• Enable pupils to acquire new knowledge and to make good progress according to their ability to increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subject being taught. 
• Display evidence of well-planned lessons, and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time.
• Show a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and that these have been taken into account when planning lessons. 
• Display a high level of knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught, and communicate this enthusiastically to students.
• Employ an excellent range of teaching strategies, high-quality resources and activities, thus enabling all students to fulfil their academic potential.
• Ensure that marking of pupils’ work is both regular and thorough and that full records are kept in line with the Assessment, Recording and Reporting Statement.
• Ensure that pupil assessment is used to inform lesson planning so pupils can make progress, and evaluate pupil performance both in terms of the school’s stated aims and national norms.
• Use effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging students to act responsibly.
• Have high expectations of students.
• Create a stimulating and positive learning environment. 
• Keep abreast of current thinking and development in the relevant subject area.
• Assist the Head of Department with the development of appropriate schemes of work.
• Share resources and training materials with colleagues. 
• Contribute to departmental activities, e.g., enrichment work, clubs, societies and trips.
• Provide or contribute to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual pupils.
• Attend parents’ evenings.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings when required.
• Be involved in a House, attend House meetings and support House events.
• Take part in the co-curricular life of the school.
• Attend and support assemblies and co-curricular events e.g., concerts, plays.
• Pastoral Care is the responsibility of all members of teaching staff at Dunottar, staff must:

o  Contribute to the pastoral care and personal development of pupils.

o  Report any pastoral concerns to the Head of Year or in serious circumstances the Deputy Head Pastoral. 

o  Be fully conversant with the Child Protection policy and report any concerns or allegations to the Senior Designated Person.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the post holder may perform other duties reasonably required by the Headmaster. The School reserves the right to make an appointment at any stage during the recruitment process.