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Prep School - Head of Drama

Prep School - Head of Drama

Runnymede College

Madrid, Spain

  • Quick apply
  • Expired
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Apply by:
4 June 2023

Job overview

Runnymede College is a private non-denominational British school in Madrid offering a British education to boys and girls of all nationalities from the age of two to eighteen. The education offered follows the British National Curriculum.

Founded as a private school in September 1967, the primary school was inaugurated in 1987, and since 1990, the whole School has been located in La Moraleja, in the north of Madrid. The School is currently being restructured and from September 2023 will be divided into Nursery School, Pre-Prep, Prep (Years 4 to 7) and Senior School (Years 8 to 13). The new structure has meant creating additional posts of responsibility and numerous opportunities for professional development and promotion have arisen.

The school is seeking to appoint a Prep School Head of Drama for September 2023.

1. Purpose of the role:

The Prep School Head of Drama will be responsible for leading a vibrant and dynamic Drama curriculum within the Prep School, working to ensure the highest standards of teaching, learning and academic attainment. They will work closely with the Academic Deputy Head, Senior Drama Head of Department and Drama teachers in the Prep and Pre-Prep School. They will facilitate the transition to the school’s new structure and ensure effective development and delivery of the Drama academic curriculum.

2. Main responsibilities:

i.) Strategic direction • Be responsible for the yearly overview of Drama from years 1-8 and ensure it is taught to a high standard by staff. • Advise the Deputy Head on the school’s future strategy for Drama provisions to ensure the curriculum combines the best of tradition and innovative methods. • To support the Headmaster and Deputy Head of Academic in Drama teacher recruitment for both academic and co-curricula roles. • To liaise with the leaders of Drama in the Senior School facilitate the transition of Year 7 & 8 into the Prep School, and to continue the collaboration to ensure Drama skills are developed effectively throughout the whole school. • To work with form teachers to ensure cross-curricular links are being made using Drama. • To collaborate with any colleagues in ensuring progression and continuity across year groups. • To write an action plan as part of the School Development Plan and evaluate the effectiveness of the plan on a termly basis

ii). Leadership & Management • To lead and co-ordinate the Drama department in a professional, positive and pro-active manner and to encourage cooperation between them • To work with the Deputy Head (Timetable) to plan faculty staffing allocations, timetables and rooming • To make appropriate arrangements for classes when staff are absent, liaising with relevant staff to secure appropriate cover • To assist with the induction of new staff in the faculty • To participate in Head of Department meetings • To be involved in teaching and learning observations with other members of staff to raise pupils’ standards of achievement and to evaluate practice • To assist Senior members of staff in the monitoring and evaluation of the quality of teaching and learning within Drama throughout the school through teaching and learning observations, team teaching and work scrutiny • To advise and inform NQTs and other news staff about the subject policy and practice in the school • To lead staff development sessions for teaching and support staff as agreed with the Headteacher

iii.) Curriculum development • Oversee the Drama department in the preparation and development of their courses of study, teaching materials, schemes of work, methods of teaching and assessment. • To take responsibility for Years 1-7 Drama curricula (and Year 8’s in 2024). • Ensure that schemes of work in Drama are inspiring, challenging, effective and reflect continuity across all Key Stages • Ensure good practice is shared throughout the school • To provide an example of ‘excellence’ as a leading classroom practitioner, inspiring and motivating other staff • To observe and review the quality of teaching in the faculty • To encourage the development of co-curricula activities and trips/visits which support the learning and experience of students at Runnymede • To provide and support the development of up to date learning resources for students and staff • To account to the Deputy Head Academic and Headmaster for the efficiency and effectiveness of their subject area within the school

iv). Tracking & Monitoring • To work with Form Teachers, Heads of Year, Drama teachers & SENCOs to implement appropriate intervention strategies to support pupil progress • Ensure that within the faculty, individual pupil progress is regularly assessed, recorded and reported and used to inform future teaching • To oversee behaviour management within the faculty and support in ensuring a safe, secure and structured learning environment • To interrogate termly data, identify areas of poor performance and take effective action to remedy such • To be accountable for securing the highest standards of pupil achievement across the curriculum through effective monitoring and evaluating • To oversee behaviour management within the faculty and support staff in ensuring a safe, secure and structured learning environment • To monitor and co-ordinate the availability of courses and resources for pupils of all abilities within the school

iv). Reporting and communication: • To write termly academic reports and attend parents’ meetings • Ensure standards of reporting and communication with parents are maintained • To support faculty staff in dealing with parents • To oversee the presentation of information to parents about Drama

iv). Co-curricular responsibilities • Running of drama clubs throughout the Prep School, preparing pupils for performances and managing their attendance, behaviour and presentation • Administrating, organising and leading a selection of student performances including liaison with outside agencies and colleagues where necessary • Leasing with the Senior Leadership Team to produce particular performances throughout the year • To contribute towards the extra-curricular programme at Runnymede by running lunch time and after school clubs each term. 

The successful applicant will have

  • a good honours degree from a British University 
  • a PGCE or equivalent teaching certificate
  • recent experience as a teacher in a school in the UK 


Please complete the TES online application form and attach your CV and covering letter.

Final date for applications- Friday 23rd June 2023


Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and first round interviews will take place via Zoom on a rolling basis. The final round interview will be held face-to-face at Runnymede College in Madrid. The School reserves the right to make an appointment before the closing date if a suitable candidate is found. If you have not heard from us within six weeks of submitting your application, please assume you were unsuccessful this time.

We are an equal opportunities employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Hiring decisions are based on skills, experience and attributes required for the role. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

Runnymede is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including check with past employers and the ACRO Criminal Records Office.

About Runnymede College

Runnymede College is a private school that provides a British education for English-speaking students of all nationalities who are resident in Madrid.

The aims of the School are:

  • To provide an all-round, academic, liberal humanist education to all students regardless of their sex, race, religion or nationality. There is no religious instruction.
  • To help each child to maximise his or her potential, whether intellectual, artistic or physical, by expecting high standards and using methods appropriate to achieve this. Health education is an integral part of the curriculum but also part of the way of life of the School. Smoking is forbidden.
  • To encourage positive social attitudes: respect and consideration for others, of all ages, whether younger children,classmates or teachers, visitors, ancillary staff, secretaries or dining-room staff, grounds men, etc. Good manners and personal cleanliness and appearance are considered very important.
  • To encourage an international outlook, awareness of and respect for the different cultures represented among the students.
  • Special importance is given to helping students derive the maximum advantage from living in Spain. All students receive classes in Spanish language and where suitable literature, history and geography up to Year 11. This will be broadened to include Years 12 and 13 over the next three years. Spaniards and those who are bilingual follow courses of language and culture prescribed by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

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Applications closed