Head of Secondary Drama

Dover Court International School (Pte.) Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Dover Court International School in Singapore seeks an outstanding Head of Secondary Drama to lead drama teaching, assessment, and the LAMDA peripatetic programme. The role involves oversight of GCSE/IGCSE, IB Theatre, and cross-pathway collaboration, with a strong emphasis on inclusion and staff development.

The post holder will drive high-quality teaching, safeguarding, and curricular innovation while contributing to annual productions and school-wide performance culture.

Qualifications

• Qualifiedteacher withexperienceteachinginanternationalor intercultural environment.
• HoldacurrentEnhancedCriminalRecordsBureauDisclosurefor all countries lived in.
• Compliancewithvisarequirementsfor workinginSingapore.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of secondary Drama, including LAMDA provision, with external partners.
• Safeguarding and health & safety of teaching spaces and equipment.
• Oversee curriculum planning, assessment, and staff development for Drama.
• Develop and implement a Faculty Improvement Plan in collaboration with leaders.

Skills

International teaching experience

Criminal records disclosure (CRB/DBS)

Singapore work visa compliance

Job description

Job PurposeAn outstanding and inspirational Head of Secondary Drama isrequiredforAugust 2027. We offer a contextualised English National Curriculum in Years 7 and 8, Edexcel Pearson GCSE Drama in Key Stage 4 (Year 9-11), and IB Theatre in our Sixth Form. The department achieves outstanding academic results in both GCSE and IB programmes.

We have curated an excellent culture of performance and seek a candidate with the passion and skills for the next phase of development, alongside a continued focus on best practice in teaching and learning. As well as leading teaching, learning and assessment in Drama, the post holder will oversee the established and very successful LAMDA peripatetic programme in the Secondary school. Annual productions are a highlight of the school year and an important aspect of the role.

As a Nord Anglia Education school we benefit from an established collaboration with The Julliard School, New York. Through this collaboration staff have access to specialist training and teaching resources, and the school benefits from annual visits from Juilliard alumni who work with all stakeholders in our community.

The school has two dedicated black box teaching spaces, including a larger space suitable for intimate studio performances, as well as access to a larger performance space for annual productions.

As a school with inclusion at its heart, candidates with experience in supporting learners withadditionallearning needs and English as an additional Language are particularly encouraged to apply. Teachers of drama teach across all three of our learning pathways so the experience or desire to work with a diverse range of learners is essential. The successful candidate will be passionate about leading high-qualityteaching and learning in our inclusive school and committed to making a difference to the lives of the young people in their care.

They will be a reflective practitioner and an effective collaborator, relentless in the pursuit of ‘better’ practice.

A facultyleadership role (Head of Creative Arts) may be available for the right candidate, andcandidates are stronglyadvised toindicaterelevant skills,experienceand interest in this role in applications.

About the Role

• Fully support the school’s Safeguarding policy, following reportingproceduresandcompletingprofessionallearningrequired.

• Topromotehighstandardsoflearning amongst thestudents and your faculty team.

• Tosupportbehaviourandrelationshipspolicy and practice.

• Toworkwithotherkeyfunctionsoftheschoolasneeded,e.g. Admissions and Marketing, Finance.

• LiaisewithTutors/ProgressLeadersregardinganystudents causing concern, initiate intervention.

• LiaisewithLearningSupportDeptregardingprovisionmappingof Individual Education Plans for students.

• LiaisewithEALDeptregardingfurthersupportrequiredforstudents.

• Createopportunitiestosharebestpracticeacrosstheschool.

• Promoteandmaintainaspiritofgoodwillandco-operation amongst faculty and the wider secondary school.

Learning and Teaching

• In collaboration with the Deputy Head of Secondary, deploy staff to ensure the best use of staff skills and experience.

• Ensureteachersinthefacultyareprovidinghigh-qualityteaching and learning experiences for students through the implementation of the DCIS definition of high quality learning and Learning Principles.

• LiaisewiththeDeputyHeadofSecondary/HeadofSixth Formon professional learning and development needs for subjectteachers.

• LeadthePerformanceManagementprocessesforsubjectstaff.

• Useassessmentdatatooverseeacademicinterventionfor students so all make progress.

• Ensure subject teachers are kept up to date with and share informationonnationalandinternationaldevelopmentsinall curriculum areas, and with advances in teaching practice, pedagogy and methodology;

• Promoteacultureofcollaborationwithinthesubjectandwider secondary school.

• Identify both good practice and areas for improvement todevelopaFacultyImprovementPlan,inconjunctionwith the Head of Faculty and Deputy Head of Secondary.

• Conduct new staff lesson visits and learning walks with the purpose of always striving for ‘better’ learning experiences for students and maintaining consistently high expectations.

• Drive the ongoing use and development of Office 365 and Ed Tech within the faculty.

Planning and Preparation

• LiaisewithISAMSadministratortomaintainsubjectacademic records of all students.

• Collatedata/gradestomonitorandtrackprogress,analysetrends within the faculty.

• Supporttargetsettingprocedureswithinthefaculty.

• Ensurethatthecurriculummeetsqualificationrequirementsbut is also innovative, engaging and creative, inspiring students toachieve.

• Lead the Faculty Improvement Planning process including the reviewofexternalexaminationsandstudentprogressoutcomes, and the setting and monitoring of annual improvement targets.

• Ensurethatassessmentdataisaccuratethroughaprocessof moderation and analysis.

• Monitorandevaluatecurriculumprovisionandcontinuityforstudents.

• Monitor the quality of homework in the faculty in terms of consistency,relevance,markingandfeedback.

• ParticipateintheformulationofSecondarystrategicplanningand policy creation and development.

• MeetregularlywiththeSSLTtocollaborativelydevelop,monitor and evaluate the subjectcurriculumprovision forthe secondaryschool.

• Ensure the ProgrammesofStudy,schemesofLearning andcurriculum maps are up to date and reviewed annually.

• Liaisewithothersubjectsandfacultiestocreateinterdisciplinary opportunities.

• LiaisewithPrimarycolleaguestoensurecontinuitywithstudent learning supporting smooth transition.

• Work with the SSLT, Head of Sixth Form and Exams Officer to supportpreparationfordeliveryofexternalexaminationsIGCSE and IB courses.

• Oversee deployment of staff for faculty wide CCA provision, intervention or supporting in other areas (eg sport, Music)

Professional and Personal Development

• Leadtheorganisationanddeliveryofsubjectspecificprofessionallearning.

• Ensurethehigheststandardsofprofessionalismaremaintained.

• Actasapositiverolemodel,bydemonstrating ourcorevaluesin interactions with staff, parents and students;

• Liaisewiththe facultytoidentifyProfessionalLearningopportunities.

• Workwiththeteamtoproducetheannualresourcerequisition.

• Chairsubjectmeetingsasappropriateandkeepaccurate recordofminutes.

• Lead in the organisation of subject contribution to curriculum focuseddays,festivals,Houseevents,assemblies,publicspeakingetc.

• Leadtheplanningofsubject relatedtrips.

• Ensurethesubjectenjoyshighprofileviaexternalcommunication and social media working in collaboration with Marketing.

• Ensuretherearegoodqualitydisplaysinclassroomsandpublic areas which support learning.

• Overseethesubjectsectionsofcurriculumguides/booklets; update school handbooks.

• Invest in personal development and leadership growth through Professional Reflection and Growth processes.

• Overseeparentalcontactsonsubjectmatters,includingfollowup on reports, parent student teacher conferences etc.

Drama Specific Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the secondary LAMDA provision, working with our external partners on the organization, delivery and examination of the qualifications.

• Ensure the health and safety requirements of the teaching, rehearsal and performing spaces, and equipment is in line with NAE guidance and liaise with the Operations team on all H&S matters.

• Maintain the servicing needs of all performance equipment.

• Ensure drama retains a high profile in the community through performances, collaborative productions, concerts and recitals.

• Ensure that our Juilliard collaboration is maintained in the best interest of students and faculty members.

• Laise with the Regional Performing Arts lead on NAE Global Campus opportunities to ensure your students are offered participation in opportunities available to them.

About You

• Qualifiedteacherwithexperienceteachinginaninternationalor intercultural environment.

• HoldacurrentEnhancedCriminalRecordsBureauDisclosurefor all countries lived in.

• Compliancewithvisarequirementsfor workinginSingapore.

About usEstablished in 1972, Dover Court International School in Singapore is a leading inclusive international school with British heritage, serving international families, set on a green 12-acre site about 20 minutes from the Singapore CBD. Dover Court International School is a community with inclusion at its heart. With more than 2000 students aged 3 to 18, our unique Pathway programme enables us to provide an education that meets the needs of a diverse student population, ensuring all learners are appropriately supported and challenged in their learning.

In our Early Years we use a Reggio Emilia inspired approach. In Primary we are guided by the National Curriculum for England and the International Primary Curriculum. In Secondary we have IGCSE/GCSE, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and International BTEC qualifications. We also offer courses that focus on English, mathematics, life skills and employability through ASDAN programmes.

All students are involved in a wide range of co-curricular activities, mainly run by teaching staff. Resulting in a rich and varied co-curricular offer for our students, with our school active and competitive in the local international school sports league across a number of sports. The school has an extensive programme of residential trips starting in Year 3 up to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Secondary.

Our unique approach enables us to prepare all students to flourish in our dynamic world, so they are active participants in a globally connected community, now and throughout life.

We are members of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) and are accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Dover Court is a strong, vibrant community, where all staff are well supported with access to a range of professional learning opportunities and a commitment to professional reflection and growth.

SafeguardingDover Court International School in Singapore 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 references from previous employers in accordance with our safer recruitment practice. Final interviews will be conducted in person or online, and they will explore candidates’ suitability to work with children.