Director of Learning - Drama

DIRECTOR OF LEARNING DRAMA

PAY SCALE ILPS + TLR 2B

Required for September 2024

Thank you for your enquiry about the post of Director of Learning Drama at Dunraven School. The school’s aim is “Excellence for All” and the governors wish to appoint a candidate of significant ability and enthusiasm, aware of and stimulated by the challenges and potential of a successful multi-ethnic co-educational school and keen to share in the leadership of our All Through Provision.

DUNRAVEN SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Dunraven School’s results are strong, remaining well above national averages and representing positive ‘value-added’. Recognition of its marked progress has been significant and its journey as a school is important to us. For example:

• in 2016 we were designated as a National Teaching School and an Academy Sponsor. The Dunraven Educational Trust was established;
• in September 2018, our Multi Academy Trust was formally set up with the integration of Van Gogh Primary, followed by Goldfinch Primary school in January 2019 and The Elmgreen School and Rosendale Primary School in September 2021
• In April 2023 we were judged as Good with Outstanding Features (Sixth Form and Personal Development) by Ofsted.

If you are successful in your application, you will share in the leadership and management of a staff who are hard working, committed, positive in outlook and dedicated to the achievement of our students. We offer:

• a high standard of professional practice, with bespoke in-house CPD provision, and affiliation to nationally recognised courses and providers (SSAT, Teaching Leaders, Future Leaders, NPQs);
• clear pathways for career development and progression with a proven track-record of success in developing leaders;
• a supportive and collegiate environment, with regular staff social and sporting activities (such as yoga, football and House events);
• excellent opportunities for leading work with external partners (National Support School, National Teaching School);
• a culture of high trust and accountability that values creativity and innovation, leading practice locally and nationally in a range of fields.

We look forward to receiving your application

The closing date for receipt of applications is noon on Monday, 13 May 2024.

interviews will take place as soon as possible thereafter

We reserve the right to close early, therefore early application is recommended

Shortlisted applicants will be given a tour of the school site on the day.

Pre-visits can be arranged by appointment only, further details can be fund in the job description attached.

THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT

This is an exciting post offering considerable opportunity for contribution and development. The governors are seeking to appoint an experienced, well-organised and well-qualified candidate with curriculum insight, ability and enthusiasm. We are looking for an effective classroom practitioner who can teach all key stages including GCSE and A-Level. An interest in drama activities and providing opportunities for students outside of lesson time would be encouraged. Drama is well regarded and supported by the school and is part of a very strong arts offer at Dunraven.

Drama is taught to students once a week in KS3 and students develop a wide range of performance skills and knowledge of theatre that feeds well into their KS4 course. Students devise, read and perform from scripts, learn about the roles in theatre and develop technical theatre skills. In Years 10 & 11, the Edexcel GCSE syllabus is taught as an option. Students study The Crucible as their exam text and usually perform from a contemporary text for Component 2. We also have a strong uptake at A-Level with a Year 12 and a Year 13 class following the Edexcel syllabus and currently studying Equus and Lysistrata as their exam texts. Recent Component 2 texts include The Believers, Pomona and God of Carnage.

The facilities for teaching Drama are excellent with two purpose built black box studios with full lighting and sound facilities. These two studios can be turned into one larger black box theatre for studio performances or we have a fully equipped proscenium arch theatre space for bigger productions.

Extra-curricular opportunities are at the heart of what Dunraven Drama does and in addition to our fantastic exam performance work we also have a good reputation for the quality of our whole school musicals and our annual KS3 performance. In recent years we have performed Oliver, We Will Rock You and Les Miserable. We take full advantage of the opportunities provided by living in London and enjoy relationships with a number of theatres and Drama schools. We regularly provide opportunities for our students to attend performances and participate in workshops at a range of theatres.

Dunraven is keen to support all aspects of staff development, personal and professional, and has a strong staff development policy. It has had Investors in People status for many years.

Shortlisted Candidates will be expected to teach a sample lesson.