DIRECTOR OF DANCE JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Line Manager: Type of contract: Director of Dance Deputy Head, Co-Curricular Full time, permanent Purpose: The main purpose of the role is to establish and run a Dance Department at Headington School. Dance has been offered as part of the PE curriculum at Headington for some time, but levels of interest and popularity in dance mans that we are now looking to expand our dance provision and set up a separate Dance Department. There are two clear dimensions to the role. The first is to establish and run a stimulating, challenging and varied extra-curricular dance programme across the school. Dance should be universal and at the heart of our Arts provision at Headington and we are keen for the Director of Dance to promote Dance across the school. The Director of Dance will be expected to oversee the introduction of an academic Dance Department and teach dance in the School. The second is to oversee the provisions of curriculum Dance for all age groups and to ensure that the delivery of academic dance on the curriculum is inspiring, relevant and successful. The primary focus of this post will be on the development and running of Dance throughout the school. To this end, the post holder will need a range of dance experience and an ability to teach and run co-curricular clubs in a variety of dance styles. The postholder will also be expected to play a full and enthusiastic role in supporting school theatre productions including in the evenings and on weekend. Other duties as outlined below will be fairly balanced against such commitments; some may be delegated to the Dance teachers or the appropriate co-curricular administrator. The list of responsibilities and duties is not exhaustive. Director of Dance responsibilities: Setting the tone and ethos of the Department and for Dance at Headington School. Articulating a clear vision, ensuring that the Department works towards this vision; To inspire and lead all Departmental staff, so that staff ensure pupils are motivated and enjoy participating in dance and are given the opportunities to develop their creative talents in a positive, innovative and effective working environment; Planning a diverse programme of performances and dance events, both formal and informal, each year to challenge and display the work of the dance department; To ensure a range of performing opportunities for girls involved in curriculum Dance and co-curricular dance lessons; To oversee the range and quality of dance groups and ensembles ensuring rehearsals, staffing and performance opportunities;
To ensure a diverse range and style of dance is promoted within the Department and that students have the opportunity to explore a variety of dance styles; To meet regularly with Dance teachers in the Preparatory School to develop and implement an overall strategy for the further development of dance across both schools and age range; To ensure that there is an educational visits programme within the Department - to organise an annual programme of dance tours, master classes and visits including a tour with the Preparatory School staff; To foster links with local and national dance organisations; To encourage participation in dance competitions at all levels both within and outside Headington School; To take responsibility for all aspects of teaching and learning in dance within and beyond the curriculum, including public examination results. To oversee the writing and delivery of schemes of work and curriculum plans with schemes of work being regularly revised; In liaison with the Deputy Head, Co-Curricular and the Admissions Registrar, to plan, organise, implement and deliver the award of dance scholarships (external and internal) including auditions for Lower School entry; To be responsible for the scheduling and billing of peripatetic dance lessons and the payment of visiting peripatetic dance teachers. Additional Head of Department responsibilities: To ensure there is a consistent provision of teaching across all lessons taught and that the teaching is of an appropriate level for the year groups and ability of the students being taught; To ensure that teaching and learning strategies are in place to identify the needs of girls particularly across the ability range, including Gifted and Talented and those with SEN; To organise regular Departmental meetings in order to set standards and monitor progress against targets, to support cross Departmental communications and to provide relevant information to the Department in a timely manner with minutes being taken at each meeting; To line manage members of the Department and through PMR, foster development of individuals and the Department including staff induction, references, lesson observations and ensuring best practice in teaching methods; To ensure current examination syllabuses are being taught in their entirety and to keep up to date with changes; To ensure that all entrance papers for the Department are set and marked efficiently; To see all projected grades are submitted on time, internal moderation procedures are carried out effectively and accurate records of achievement are kept; To ensure all essential resource material is available for use as required; To keep the Department Handbook up to date so that it is a comprehensive, user friendly information resource and record of Departmental procedures; To ensure safety information is up to date and work in accordance with the School s Health and Safety Policies; To ensure classrooms for the Department are kept in a safe and suitable condition;
To keep administration up to date, setting budgets (after consultation with the Bursar), supplying lists (books, stationary, examination entries and results etc.) and authorising the ordering of departmental resources as necessary; In liaison with the Headmistress/Deputy Head, Co-Curricular, provide assistance with the recruitment of staff including the drafting of advertisements, short-listing of candidates, interviewing and selection of teaching and visiting staff; To attend meetings when required by Senior Management; To write information to be included in Student booklets, Open Days etc.; To assist in the implementation of the School Development Plan; To assist or delegate support with UCAS applications for students applying for subjects within the Department; To report regularly to the Head and to your Line Manager, the Deputy Head, Co- Curricular about developments and initiatives in Dance; Teaching Responsibilities: To teach lessons in accordance with the School s requirement; To plan, prepare and deliver lessons that follow the Department s scheme of work. Ensure the lessons are suitably differentiated and appropriate to all members of the class; Where appropriate, to mark pupil work on a regular basis in accordance with Department and School marking policies; Accurately record-keep for your classes including registering, assessments marks, merits and penalty points; Feedback to pupils and parents through completion of Learner Profile Criteria, writing appropriate academic reports and attending Parents Evenings; To contribute to the wider co-curricular life of the school, through involvement with cocurricular clubs and activities; Attend morning staff briefings where possible and all whole School staff meetings; Cover lessons both within and outside the Department and be available for exam invigilation as directed by the cover supervisor; Check your School e-mail account on a regular basis and reply to colleagues as appropriate; To be responsible for an appropriate programme of external individual dance examinations; To work with the Deputy Head, Co-Curricular to develop community links; To lead assemblies/practices; To contribute to the wider co-curricular life of the school, through involvement in cocurricular clubs and activities. To carry out any other duties that are within the employee's skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed.
Pastoral Responsibilities: To tutor a group of students. All full time members of staff are tutors. This includes registering the tutor group each morning; monitoring their attendance and initial stages of pastoral and academic welfare; teach PSHE To attend year group meetings; To organise tutor group assemblies as required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION Requirement Essential Desirable Qualifications Educated to degree level with a BA/MA ISTD and/or RAD qualification, relevant teaching qualification e.g. PGCE, QTS Experience/ Knowledge Experience of: managing people, teaching to GCSE level standard, managing projects, meeting targets. Experience of: teaching to A Level Standard, teaching the International Baccalaureate Key Skills Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal and listening skills Public speaking Ability to influence and persuade at all levels IT competent Microsoft office 2007 Personal qualities required Enthusiastic about subject, well-organised, set high standards, flexible, calm under pressure. Benefits: Teacher s pension: As per current legislation. Eligibility is based on the School s terms and conditions of eligibility for the teacher s pension scheme. Fee Remission: In accordance with the School s policy, which may be subject to change from time to time, up to 50% fee remission for girls attending Headington School and up to 20% fees remission for boys attending Magdalen College (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy. Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part time staff who work at least 50% of a normal working week. All appointment are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, i.e. References, DBS, Medical Questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK. Headington School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. www.headington.org