Assistant Director of Drama

Applications are invited for the full-time post of Assistant Director of Drama in Surbiton High School, a selective (HMC, GSA), highly over-subscribed, all-girls 11-18 independent sector school in Kingston-upon-Thames.

The Drama and Dance Department at Surbiton High School is well established and is responsible for a range of co-curricular activities and productions each year. All pupils study Drama in Years 7, 8 and 9, there are a thriving number of pupils who take it as an option at GCSE in both Drama (Eduqas syllabus) and Dance (AQA syllabus) There is also healthy number taking Drama and Theatre Studies at Advanced Level (Edexcel syllabus) and a growing number applying to take Dance at Advanced Level (AQA syllabus).

Staffing currently comprises three full-time and one part-time academic Drama teachers, along with a full time teacher in charge of Dance and a full time Director in Residence. Pupils throughout the School are well motivated and results in public examinations are very good. Each year, the department produces a Year 7 production, a Year 8/9 production and the Senior production. There are also a number of GCSE and A-level Preview Evenings, co-curricular Drama clubs and the House Drama competition. The department collaborates with the Music and Art departments to produce the School Musical, which is performed at the Rose Theatre in Kingston – recent productions include Annie, Grease and Oliver.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead in developing the Key stage 3 curriculum and assessment provision
• Teach Drama classes from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5 and help develop resources for new exam boards and schemes of work
• Possess and maintain a deep and secure knowledge of Drama and the pedagogy associated with its teaching
• Create a challenging and stimulating classroom climate that will motivate pupils to learn, think independently, take risks, empathise with others, and perform to the best of their abilities
• Support every pupil in his/her learning, making him/her feel included, secure and valued
• Be consistent, fair and create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect
• Be aware of the learning needs of the pupils you teach and ensure that each pupil is given every opportunity to fulfil his/her potential
• Monitor progress against prior attainment and employ effective intervention strategies when required
• Plan lessons carefully and keep a record of your planning
• Undertake the preparation, marking and report writing, in line with the School policies, required to ensure that pupils achieve the highest possible standards
• Support and/or lead with any events or initiatives as required by the Director of Dance and Drama
• Contribute to the development of aims and objectives of the department with a view to developing and extending provision in terms of breadth, depth, quality and opportunity
• Help raise the profile of Drama and Dance across the School and in the wider community
• Line manage members of the department and mentor training teachers/NQTs if appropriate
• Assist with the planning, co-ordination and overseeing of specific Drama events and trips, as required
• Initiate and foster cross-curricular links with other departments in order to collaborate on joint productions and performances
• Assist with the planning, co-ordination and overseeing of all Drama and Dance events including productions, GCSE and A-level Preview Evenings and the House Drama Competition in consultation with SLT and other relevant staff
• Extend provision for the gifted and talented
• Direct or assist with productions, as required, including:
• Supporting or running after-school rehearsals
• Designing rehearsal sessions that develop pupils’ understanding and knowledge of Drama and Theatre, as well as promising a successful outcome for the production
• Creating a positive and welcoming rehearsal environment in which pupils will thrive
• Support or lead in organising all production logistics and marketing
• Assist with the organisation of the scholarship and auditions process and monitoring the progress of Drama and Performing Arts Scholar
• Run a Drama club to challenge and extend our students’ knowledge and understanding of Drama outside the classroom. Club(s) will be somewhat determined with the successful candidate’s skills / areas of interest in mind and planned in collaboration with the other members of the department
• Advise students on university choices and ensure that they are fully prepared for the interview and audition process.
• Help with the upkeep of the department’s technical and design equipment, where applicable
• Participate in major School events such as Open Days
• Attend Health and Safety committee meetings as the Drama and Dance Department committee member
• Conduct yourself in an appropriate professional manner at all times and support and foster the aims and safeguarding policies of the School
• All staff are required to be a Tutor if requested to carry out that role. The role of the Tutor is academic, pastoral and administrative. The Tutor has oversight of his/her tutees’ general well-being and academic progress, and is the main point of contact for parents
• Contribution to the wider education of pupils through the co-curricular programme, as required.
• Uphold the School’s code of conduct and the values of Surbiton High School
• Maintain good order and discipline amongst pupils and be active in implementing the School’s policies on rewards and sanctions
• Attend formal parents’ evenings and communicate with parents, at other times, as necessary.
• Attend staff and departmental meetings as required
• Undertake supervisory duties as required
• Carrying out any such duties as may be reasonably requested
• Contribute, as appropriate, to departmental policies, schemes of work, digital learning and other resources as well as development planning
• Attend relevant CPD training each year
• Participate in the annual performance review, appraisal and development programme

Person Specification
The successful candidate will be likely to fit the following profile:

• Good honours degree in Drama
• A postgraduate teaching qualification including QTS, would be an advantage
• Evidence of further relevant professional development
• Have a wide range of dramatic skills and abilities
• Ability to lead, inspire, motivate and support pupils and colleagues
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
• Excellent ICT skills
• A working knowledge of technical theatre design, programming and operation is desirable but not essential
• The ability to choreograph and teach Dance is desirable but not essential
• Ability to think strategically
• Ability to forge links with the wider community
• Evidence of successful, inspiring and innovative teaching at all levels
• Evidence of commitment to a wide range of co-curricular activities
• Co-ordinating and collaborating with colleagues
• Up-to-date knowledge of developments in teaching and learning and specifically in relation to the teaching of Drama and Theatre Studies
• High levels of personal and professional integrity
• Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality
• Personal warmth to gain the confidence of pupils, staff and parents
• High standards of personal presence and presentation
• Ability to communicate concisely and sensitively both orally and in writing to a variety of audiences
• A passion for Drama
• A team player with leadership potential
• A reflective and flexible approach
• Positive, enthusiastic and energetic approach to life
• Ability to think creatively and imaginatively
• Supportive of the School’s ethos
• Willingness to liaise with colleagues in other departments
• High expectations for pupil attainment, personal development and conduct
• Commitment to professional development

Please note that the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the recruitment process.

For any queries relating to the role or your application, please email recruitment@surbitonhigh.com

To Apply

Please apply online by clicking on the following link: https://www.networxrecruitment.com/Jobs/Advert/685951

Please note that the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the recruitment process.

For any queries relating to the role or your application, please email recruitment@surbitonhigh.com

Closing date: 8:00am, Friday 5 May 2017
Interviews to be held week commencing 8 May 2017