Head of Academic Drama

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 situated in La Moraleja, a residential estate 13 km to the north of Madrid.

Academic levels are high at Runnymede College. In June 2022, 67% of our students achieved A-A* at A level, with 98% of grades being A*-C. This is particularly impressive when compared with the 58% of A*-A grades achieved at independent (private) schools in England this year. In addition, 74% of our pupils gained A*-A grades at IGCSE. Once again, this is a truly excellent achievement when compared with the 53% of A*- A grades at GCSE obtained in the English independent (private) school sector.

In the graduating class of 2022, one student will be studying Maths at Oxford; another will begin her course in Architecture at Cambridge. Other top-ranking UK universities welcoming this year’s graduates include St Andrews, Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh and Bath. The United States has attracted more pupils than ever, with pupils starting their higher education at Columbia, Stanford, UPenn, Johns Hopkins and Duke, amongst other excellent colleges.

In Spain, IE and Navarra are both popular with this year’s leavers, and it is pleasing to see many of our newest Old Runnymedians attend universities in other EU countries like the Netherlands (Eindhoven, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Twente), France, Ireland (Trinity College Dublin) and Italy (Bocconi).

Runnymede College is looking for a well-qualified and inspirational Head of Academic Drama for September 2023 to teach Key Stage 3, IGCSE Drama and A Level Drama & Theatre.

The Department follows the CIE specification at IGCSE and AQA at A-Level.

Drama has really woven itself into the fabric of Runnymede’s academic and extra-curricular life. It not only gives pupils the chance to develop their performance and public speaking skills, it also reinforces their team-building, creative and analytical proficiency.

The Drama department counts with a modern multi-purpose room shared with the Music Department with a small theatre area which has become the creative and cultural hub of the school. Here our pupils are encouraged to unleash their imagination and help create the best possible performances.

Alongside the academic curriculum, the Head of Drama will run the extra curricular Drama Club, staging a play every year, giving our pupils the chance to perform.

The successful candidate will have a passion for the subject and will be a positive and enthusiastic classroom practitioner with excellent interpersonal skills and should exhibit ongoing interest in the subject with students on a day-to-day basis.

The successful applicant will have:       

• a good honours degree in Drama, Theatre Arts, English or a related subject from a British University 
• a PGCE or other qualified teacher status for secondary   
• recent experience as a teacher in a school in the UK 
• experience at independent schools desired but essential
• recent experience teaching KS3, IGCSE Drama and A Level Drama & Theatre
• willingness to contribute to the extra-curricular life of the school, running the after school Drama Club
• experience with IB desirable
• an excellent classroom practitioner with a genuine passion for Drama, able to lead by example and inspire students
• experience of successful and innovative teaching in Drama
• high levels of student motivation and engagement
• the ability to modify learning strategies to target the needs of individual students 
• high expectations of pupils’ effort and behaviour, and facilitate this with proven classroom management skills 
• people oriented - building positive relationships; good team player; excellent communication skills, with the ability to form strong professional relationships with students, staff and parents 
• be organised and able to prioritise to meet deadlines 
• be a native level english speaker 
• possess valid references, and have an up to date CRB/DBS/ICPC check 
• have a good working knowledge of ICT systems and the application of ICT in the classroom

Please complete the TES online application form and attach a copy of your CV and cover letter, along with names, (including telephone numbers) and email addresses of two referees.

Final date for applications - Friday 24th February 2023

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 ACRO Criminal records Office.