Director in Residence

Contract term: Fixed Term
Contract type: Part-Time (term-time)

Job Purpose: To inspire, encourage and empower our students to achieve their very best in the subject of Drama. Surbiton High School seeks to appoint a Director in Residence to deliver quality practical support within the Drama and Dance Department. We are looking for a dedicated and friendly individual who is also an ambitious and visionary practitioner of Drama. The Director in Residence will be able to develop the standards and opportunities in co-curricular Drama and within the practical elements of the curriculum. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the varied work of this flourishing department. The post could suit a graduate from university or drama school with a desire to extend their directorial or technical skills, or a graduate who is considering moving into a theatrical or educational career.

Reporting Line: Director of Drama and Dance

Tenure: The appointment is for a fixed period of one year on a full-time basis, from September 2017. For the successful candidate, there may be opportunities to extend the length of this contract, upon review. Some work both after School and at weekends will be expected; working hours during the normal School day will therefore be flexible to some extent.

Applications are invited for the post of a Director in Residence at Surbiton High School Senior School, a selective (HMC, GSA), highly over-subscribed, all girls 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 is a significant number of pupils who take it as an option at GCSE (Eduqas syllabus) as well as a healthy number at Advanced Level (Edexcel syllabus).

Staffing currently comprises three full-time and one part-time academic teachers of Drama and a full time teacher in charge of Dance. 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, a Senior Production and the Whole School Musical, which is performed at the Rose Theatre in Kingston; recent musical productions have included Bugsy Malone, We Will Rock You, Beauty and the Beast, Oliver!, Grease and Annie. There are also a number of GCSE and A-level Showcase Evenings as well as a range of co-curricular Drama clubs.

Key Responsibilities:

The exact nature of this role will depend, to some extent, on the candidate appointed but it is likely that the successful candidate will contribute to the work of the department in some of the following ways:

• Produce and direct two KS3 Drama productions:
• Assist on other department productions, as required
• Run a range of co-curricular Drama clubs to challenge and extend our students’ knowledge and understanding of Drama and Theatre outside the classroom:
• Support in curricular Drama lessons:
• Co-ordinate a House Drama competition that encourages student leadership
• Deliver expert workshops
• Build links with other areas in the School and in the wider community
• Help to prepare and coach candidates for Drama School / university Drama auditions, where applicable
• Coordinate and run a Drama trip and support on GCSE ad A-level theatre visits
• Help with the upkeep of the Department’s technical and design equipment
• Act as a mentor to Drama Scholars
• Participate in major School events such as Open Days
• Carry out any other duties within the employee's skills and abilities, whenever reasonably requested

Person Specification

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

The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, be able to manage their own time and work efficiently and effectively with a high degree of self-motivation. The candidate will have excellent subject knowledge and significant experience of working with young people.

• A degree or conservatoire-level training in Drama or a related discipline, or significant professional experience
• Be able to demonstrate experience of theatre direction in a significant context
• Evidence of relevant professional development, where appropriate
• Working knowledge of technical theatre operation and design
• Conversant in theatrical operation and conventions
• The ability to lead, inspire, motivate and support pupils and colleagues and work in a team
• Ability to work with and bring out the best in young people
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and planning skills
• Up-to date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the protection of, children and young people
• The ability to both to nurture the talents of outstanding individuals and to motivate and encourage wider general participation in dramatic activities
• Effective management of commitments and deadlines
• High levels of personal and professional integrity, confidentiality, and ability to exercise discretion
• Ability to communicate concisely and sensitively, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences
• A positive, enthusiastic, energetic, reflective and flexible approach
• Organised and able to self-directt
• A healthy sense of humour and can-do attitude
• Committed to professional development and show a willingness to undertake appropriate training for this role, if applicable

To Apply

Please apply online by clicking on the following link: https://www.networxrecruitment.com/Jobs/Advert/576288

Closing date for Applications: 8:00am, Monday 27 February2017
Interviews to be held between: Week commencing 6 March 2017

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