Director of Drama

Director of Drama

September 2021 or January 2022

Are you passionate about teaching and leading a strong Drama programme at GCSE and A level? Do you have a flair for presenting first class stage performances of the highest quality, adding depth and breadth to the Drama provision at Royal Russell?

Our Senior School team needs an experienced, dynamic and forward thinking practitioner to lead on all aspects of drama so that it is celebrated as part of the Royal Russell experience throughout the School. 

Royal Russell is an HMC/IAPS co-educational school with over 1000 pupils between the ages of 3 and 18, situated on a beautiful green campus of 110 acres in the Shirley Hills near Croydon, on the doorstep of London. We have over 170 boarding students in the Senior School and are proud of our day and boarding facilities that rank amongst the best in the South of England.  Our pupils, parents and staff experience a warm and friendly environment with strong pastoral care for every pupil alongside a comprehensive co-curricular and enrichment programme. We aim to build on this alongside improving academic success to continue to be the family school of choice in South London. In March 2016 the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) judged the school as ‘excellent’ in all areas and in October 2018 we successfully passed a full ISI compliance inspection.

The Director of Drama will be a well-qualified and inspiring teacher with an accomplished record of leading outstanding productions either in a school or another setting. You will have first class subject knowledge, and a successful track record of teaching drama from Year 7 to A level. Alongside teaching and overseeing all areas of curriculum Drama, the role will encompass all aspects of co-curricular Drama. There is currently a strong drama tradition at the School and the Director of Drama will ensure that the Drama programme touches the lives of all Russellians, promoting a lifelong passion for the Arts. 

Drama is firmly embedded within the school’s curriculum and has a superb record of results at GCSE and A level. The school follows the Eduqas syllabus with 9 pupils currently taking Drama at A Level. Drama is taught in a specialist auditorium and drama studio with rig lighting, sound system and interactive board. There is a thriving LAMDA section supporting students with teaching and examinations. The performing Arts Centre contains the auditorium with a seating capacity of 240 and significant flexibility in the use of the space. This provides a great learning environment perfect for drama and performing arts classes.

Royal Russell offers excellent benefits including a competitive salary on our own salary scale which is above SNS and includes allowances for specific pastoral and academic responsibilities. As part of the vibrant community of the historic Royal Russell School, you will work in our beautiful green parkland estate with easy access to transport links. Teachers automatically join the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), or you may opt into an alternative defined contribution pension with free life cover on a promoted salary scale. In addition you will have access to free car parking, free meals, a discount on School fees, and the use of our sporting and gym facilities. Full details of our staff benefits and recruitment procedures can be found on our School recruitment page at: https://www.royalrussell.co.uk/our-school/vacancies 

Applications will be considered on receipt and should arrive no later than 9.00am on Monday 10th May 2021. Initial selection interviews will be held on Thursday 13th May 2021.  If you have not heard from us by Wednesday 12th May 2021 you should presume that you have not been successful on this occasion. We reserve the right to interview at any point during the recruitment process so early applications are encouraged.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (including a check against the Children’s Barred List) and other pre-employment screening including references and medical fitness.