HEAD OF DRAMA Job description The Department The Head of Drama is responsible for the organisation and delivery of academic Drama and Theatre. Currently, there are three full-time teachers in the department, an administrative secretary and an Actorin-Residence. Drama and Theatre is taught to all Junior years and at GCSE (AQA) and A Level (EDEXCEL). Results are consistently excellent, with last year s A Level cohort achieving 75% A*-A and 93% A*-A at GCSE. Students have gone on to study Drama and Theatre at prestigious universities such as Cambridge, Exeter, and Birmingham. We also have students successfully winning place to study acting at Drama Centre, Guildford School of Acting and Bristol Old Vic. Kingston Grammar School has an enviable reputation for Drama where students benefit from the outstanding Co-Curricular programme of performances and events. Many pupils also take LAMDA lessons which are offered by two external teachers. The Drama and Theatre department is located in The Michael Frayn Theatre, supported by a full-time Technical Manager, and Theatre Technician. The Theatre hosts a programming of external events, administrated by the Theatre and Events Manager, and is also a venue for NTLive. In addition, we have a fully equipped Studio space, and also a Green Room. In addition to the programme of Co-Curricular and Academic performance events, The Michael Frayn Theatre is used for School assemblies, lectures, and conferences. Alongside the departmental staff, the Head of Drama will teach all year groups, direct examination work and share the Co-curricular provision. We currently stage a Senior, Middle and Junior Production, House Drama and House Dance, The Kingston Revue, Sixth Form Drama Festival and our biennial trip to perform at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Theatre trips occur on a regular basis, allowing the pupils to experience a wide range of contemporary and classical work in London. We also have companies visiting school to deliver workshops or performances. Recent companies have included Gecko, DV8, Frantic Assembly and English Touring Ballet. The department is supported by The Drama Society, an active parental group who run bars, raise funds, and champion the department. Created: January 2018 Page 1
Main Duties and Responsibilities: As the leading subject professional, combining enthusiasm, expertise and energy with a clear sense of vision and first rate administrative skills, the Head of Drama is central to the delivery and organisation of the academic curriculum. He or she inspires and motivates the members of the department to share good practice and to aim for the highest standards so that all pupils receive an excellent educational experience. Ensuring a close relationship between departmental development and whole school development is a key element of the role. The Head of Drama is responsible for the following: Teaching and Learning 1. To be exemplary in carrying out a Teacher s responsibilities. 2. To contribute to the development of the aims, policies and administrative procedures of the School, to attend Heads of Departments meetings and, in discussion with the department, produce and implement the departmental strategic plan in line with the school strategic plan. 3. To manage the departmental budget, ensuring a close link between this and the departmental strategic plan. 4. To encourage and enhance professional development through advice and support, both generally and through appraisals. 5. To seek to achieve the highest standards across the department of teaching, learning, formative and summative assessment, report and reference writing. 6. To pay close critical attention to curriculum developments, especially in the subject, communicating these to the department and to senior leaders; to be aware of developments in learning and teaching strategies, particularly those that help to promote independent learning and the imaginative use of ICT. 7. To promote the sharing of good practice within the department; to hold weekly departmental meetings, circulating agendas and ensuring that key decisions and action points are noted in minutes. 8. To ensure that expert advice about curriculum and Higher Education choices in the subject is available to pupils and parents. 9. To liaise with other Heads of Departments where appropriate, and engage in cross curricular activities from time to time. 10. To develop positive relations with pupils, parents, teaching and support staff colleagues and the wider community and to represent the school when reasonably required. 11. To be responsible for the execution of the various tasks listed in Appendix A 12. To carry out any other responsibilities reasonably required by the Head Master. Created: January 2018 Page 2
Co-Curricular Co-Curricular opportunities should be varied and ambitious. A diverse and extensive co-curricular programme should cater for all tastes and levels of experience from beginners to those whose talents merit stretching and developing to the highest standard. The teacher in charge of Co-Curricular Drama is expected to: develop and promote Drama and Theatre within the School lead the Drama Scholars programme take responsibility for the organisation of workshops and productions including those associated with the major School events over the academic year, alongside the Head of Drama, co-ordinate all entries for the termly calendar with Drama and Theatre staff and then with the Assistant Head monitor attendance at rehearsals co-ordinate regular Theatre Trips arrange visits from professional artists to lead workshops liaise with and attend meetings of the Drama Society Liaise with the Head of Development to co-ordinate NTLive and external lets Responsibility for co-curricular Drama will depend on applicant experience. Appendix A Key Responsibilities of the Head of Department Ongoing Observe lessons and provide feedback for discussion Participate in staff appraisals Identify opportunities for professional development for each member of the department Check consistency of marking within the department through periodic collection and review of samples of work Update /purchase new resources as necessary Have responsibility for rooms, resources, health and safety, where applicable, and the provision of equipment within the department; ensure that subject displays are renewed/updated when necessary Be responsible for the coordination of visits, overseeing staffing and risk assessments Develop and promote extra-curricular activities within the department Ensure appropriate cover work is set during staff absence Remind the department of report/reference deadlines Advise on departmental staffing needs, help appoint staff and induct staff new to the department. Act as subject mentor for NQTs. Disseminate information from HODs meetings to the department Ensure that the department is kept broadly up to date with, and know how to access information about an appropriate range of university courses in the subject and what is expected of applicants Created: January 2018 Page 3
Organise the production and marking of school examination papers in the subject; organise moderation of scripts as necessary Ensure that the correct information on public examination entries and coursework assignments is supplied to the examination boards and to the examinations officer/ib coordinator Organise staffing for open afternoons and all other promotional events including those for existing pupils and parents Participate in school entry procedures as reasonably required Ensure appropriate subject induction for pupils new to any year group Annual Review department handbook Review department strategic plan Review schemes of work You must also be required to undertake such other comparable duties as the Head Master requires from time to time. Created: January 2018 Page 4
Person Specification Qualifications Qualified Teacher Status Good honours degree in Drama and/or Theatre Experience An excellent knowledge of your subject, its place in the National Curriculum, public examinations syllabuses and assessment criteria Experience as a Drama teacher up to A level Skills and Knowledge Able to communicate effectively orally and in writing Able to lead and motivate departmental staff Able to present confidently to a large group of students Effective behaviour management Able to engage pupils in learning through active teaching strategies Experience of managing a budget Excellent IT skills Sound knowledge of the curriculum developments in your subject Evidence of effective professional development in the subject Personal Competencies and Qualities Ability to think strategically and creatively Comfortable communicating with a senior management team Excellent networking, influencing and negotiating skills, including the ability to collaborate and build partnerships Excellent organisational skills Demonstrates a fairness and consistency in all dealings with pupils Energy and enthusiasm Able to demonstrate the positive values, attitudes and behaviour we expect from our pupils Reliability and integrity A commitment to personal professional development and taking responsibility for it A positive motivation to work with children and young people Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people Emotional resilience Positive attitude to use of authority and maintaining discipline Essential Desirable Created: January 2018 Page 5
The post-holder s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School s Safeguarding Policy at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the postholder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the School s Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Head Master. Created: January 2018 Page 6