vacancy information pack assistant director of …...dh dance has gone from strength to strength in...

VACANCY INFORMATION PACK

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

OF DRAMA AND DANCE

Assistant Director of Drama and Dance December 2019

ABOUT THE FACULTY

DRAMA

Academic Drama forms part of the compulsory curriculum for the Kay Stage 3, and is a very

popular subject at GCSE, A Level. In addition girls may take private Speech and Drama

lessons and are prepared for Trinity Guildhall and RADA examinations. We have students

gaining places in the National Youth Theatre as well as progressing to study at foundation

level and/or degree level, either at university or Drama School. We are proud of the strong

history of alumnae forging successful careers in the Performing Arts industries; whether

they are on stage, in front of a camera, producing, writing, directing or in the many

production roles behind the scenes.

The Drama Department offers a wide

range of clubs and extra-curricular

activities that are open to students in all

year groups. It is common practice for all

department staff to make an active

contribution to the co-curricular

programme.

Theatre visits are scheduled each term

for those studying GCSE and A Level

courses and through the Drama

Scholars’ programme. Students in all

year groups are offered similar

opportunities through boarding house

and year group excursions.

The Department also offers, on a regular

basis, workshops and performances by visiting practitioners to complement their studies.

These are sometimes opened to other students apart from those already studying at GCSE

and A Level.

We work with the community and other local schools to broaden our students’ experiences,

to improve and develop the subject and to showcase the enormous talent of the Downe

House girls.

Throughout the school year the Drama Department is responsible for and involved in the

organisation of several major co-curricular events independently and in collaboration with other

departments and faculties such as Dance and Music.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS (DRAMA/PERFORMANCE)

Currently internal and external scholarships are offered at 13+ and 16+. The 16+

scholarship paper currently involves sitting a one hour written paper and a one hour

practical examination. Scholars are expected to make an active contribution to the School’s

busy Drama programme throughout the year.


GERALDINE JAMES DRAMA AWARDS

This performance based scholarship for girls entering the Sixth Form was introduced to

support our most talented performers through their final two years at Downe House. To be

nominated for the award, girls must have a proven commitment to performance and have

achieved excellence in curricular and co-curricular Drama. Candidates submit a short

written paper and have a series of interviews. Successful candidates are encouraged to

develop their talent further, have a department mentor and meet with Ms James as part of

our extensive enrichment programme.

PRODUCTION HISTORY

Recent productions include….

West Side Story, London Road, Oliver, The Sound of Music, Our Country’s Good, Guys and Dolls,

Annie, Singing in the Rain, Jane Eyre, Aladdin and Billie Elliot

SPEECH AND DRAMA

Speech and Drama, Musical Theatre and Communication Skills are popular ‘extra’ subjects

at Downe House, with over 300 girls across the School electing to take lessons. There are a

variety of reasons why a girl might wish to have lessons. Many have had experience of the

subjects at a previous school and wish to continue; some wish to gain confidence in

speaking and performing; some take it purely for enjoyment; others take it as an adjunct to

GSCE or A Level Drama, while others choose it in place of GSCE or A Level Drama.

Speech and Drama lessons primarily offer girls the opportunity to develop inter-personal

and communication skills through the speaking and acting of literature and drama.

However there are many and varied benefits to taking Speech and Drama as an extra

subject. Skills in acting and communication help develop an ability to speak and to express


views and opinions with confidence. They encourage an appreciation and understanding of

literature and the spoken word through speaking, reading and listening; they also promote

technical skills such as clear articulation, confident physicality and breath control. Speech

and Drama encourages self-confidence, and promotes creativity, imagination and team-

work skills in a supportive and non-threatening environment.

The Department holds a wide variety of texts from Classical to Modern, and it is one of our

aims to introduce the girls to a range of literature across the centuries as well as from other

cultures. We also introduce the girls to a range of theatrical styles, and encourage them to

experiment with these through improvisation to develop their imagination and creative

responses.


DANCE

At Downe House, girls have a passion for dance across all genres and we take great pride in

being able to harness their enormous enthusiasm and develop their talents. We do this in several

ways – through curriculum classes with the PE department, through a diverse and varied dance

timetable during the evening and through extra-curricular outings, workshops and performances.

There are a number of performance opportunities for our pupils throughout the year, including

two annual Dance Shows and our School – wide House Dance competition. These productions

bring together girls of all abilities and are a reflection of the sense of unity and pride in dance at

the School.

We work with the local community and other local skills to broaden our pupils experiences, to

develop and promote the department, whilst also showcasing the wonderful talent we have at

Downe House.

Our large team of both full and part-time teachers have a huge breath of knowledge in teaching

and choreography, and are excited to bring the joys of dance to girls who want to pursue their

training here at Downe. The girls have many opportunities to build their technique, develop their

creativity and gain an understanding of performance style.

DH Dance has gone from strength to strength in recent years, creating some truly outstanding

dancers. Our girls currently study a range of genres including Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop,

Modern, Musical Theatre and Tap. We also have a Dance Company which trains weekly to stretch

and challenge our most outstandingly able dancers. We also have a weekly Dance Academy

which is used as a platform for pupils to develop their skills and hone their technique. As a

department we aim to inspire our girls to enjoy the physical and artistic expression of the

discipline and the sheer fun of dance.


JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Assistant Director of Drama and Dance

RESPONSIBLE FOR

Drama Graduate/ Drama Administrator

Wardrobe Assistant

Drama and Outreach staff as appropriate

LINE MANAGER

Director of Drama and Dance

JOB PURPOSE

To be a key external face for Drama and Dance for Downe House by reaching out

to the local community and beyond.

To seek out new opportunities to develop Dance and Drama outside of the

School.

To raise the profile and to develop programmes to share Downe House expertise

and enrich the experiences of our girls through an exciting outreach programme.

To motivate a team of staff as well as assist with the development of Drama and

Dance within the School community.

To work closely with the Director of Drama and Dance, the Head of Drama

(Academic), the Head of Extra-curricular Dance and the Head of Extra-curricular

Drama to enhance the Drama and Dance provision across the Downe House

community.

To teach approximately 24 lessons per week to include Curriculum Drama (up to A

level) and Speech and Drama lessons as appropriate and dependent on the

needs of the Department

To direct at least one school production in line with the Faculty production

schedule.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To represent the School and the Drama and Dance Faculty at local schools,

feeder prep schools and to liaise with theatre companies and agencies across the

UK.

To be responsible for developing community theatre projects outside of Downe

House and in collaboration with other schools.

To explore and support external festival and competition opportunities for the

performance of Drama and Dance (e.g. Edinburgh Fringe Festival, NT

Connections, Shakespeare Schools Festival)

To foster dramatic excellence across the School and actively promote the Drama

and Dance


Faculty within the School community and encourage the girls’ interest in these

areas

To stimulate and encourage pupils to a high standard of interest and work in

Curriculum Drama, Dance and Speech and Drama, ensuring that the needs of

each individual are met.

To deliver lessons in line with the agreed specifications and schemes for

Curriculum Drama and Speech and Drama.

To maintain a record of work in sufficient detail.

To ensure that all girls taking Curriculum Drama and Speech and Drama are being

appropriately praised and rewarded throughout the year through the Stars and

Commendations system.

To identify outstandingly able pupils in all year groups and monitor that they are

being sufficiently challenged in Curriculum Drama and Speech and Drama.

To mark and assess pupils work in line with School and Faculty requirements and

to record assessments in accordance with the School’s policy.

DEPARTMENT

To teach approximately 24 lessons per week dependent on the needs of the

Department.

To complete pupil reports as and when required to set deadlines.

To direct at least one School production in line with the Faculty production

schedule.

To liaise with the Director of Drama and Dance to contribute to the programme of

School productions, the Scholars’ Programme and other performance

opportunities.

To assist with the Drama trips and theatre visits.

To support the organisation of the Drama sessions at Scholarship Days,

Assessment Days, Experience Days and New Girls’ Open Days.

To support the Director of Drama and Dance in providing a challenging and robust

programme for scholars, seniors and outstandingly able pupils.

To contribute to the ongoing development of the Department’s website area and

social media channels.

To work closely with the Director of Drama and Dance, the Head of Drama

(Academic), the Head of Extra-curricular Drama, and the Head of Extra-curricular

Dance to co-ordinate events and productions.

To update the Department and pupil handbooks as necessary.

To undertake the observation and annual appraisal of other staff members within

the Department as required.

To line manage the administrative function for Drama and ensure that Speech

and Drama and Curriculum Drama are adequately supported.

To participate in the interview process for teaching posts when required and to

help to ensure the effective induction of new staff in line with School procedures.

To contribute to the annual Departmental Development Plan.

To develop cross-curricular links across other departments within the School.


SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION

Downe House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and

young people and expects all staff to share this commitment and adhere to, and comply

with, the School's Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children policy and

procedures at all times.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

All staff at Downe House are required to remain vigilant, observe all relevant Health and

Safety policies and procedures, take reasonable care of their own and others’ Health and

Safety, report all accidents and incidents, raise concerns through their line managers, and

address minor physical problems by reporting them as maintenance requests through the

School’s internal IT reporting system (MERLIN).

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Staff at Downe House are expected to promote equality of opportunity for all girls and

staff, both current and prospective, and to support an environment that values diversity.

PROMOTING BRITISH VALUES

Downe House recognises the importance of placing emphasis on fundamental British

values in the curriculum and all other aspects of School life. These values reflect the

ethos of the school and all members of the community have a role to play in delivering

the values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance

of those with different faiths and beliefs. All subject areas, and all non-teaching staff, are

responsible for promoting these values when opportunities arise.

DATA PROTECTION

All staff at Downe House have a responsibility to ensure that data they are responsible

for is accurate and appropriate to the needs of the School, and that they are responsible

for ensuring any personal data processed for any purpose or purposes in connection with

their role at the School, shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or

those purposes in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)

Downe House is committed to providing Continuous Professional Development

opportunities to all our staff. We have a healthy training budget for both external and

internal study and regularly organise engaging and topical training events, which staff are

invited to attend. We set aside specific times for training and offer a wide range of

development opportunities to staff, whatever their role. All new staff also participate in a

detailed induction programme to ensure that they are supported during the important

first few weeks in post.

Note: This job description is not a comprehensive definition of the post. It will be reviewed as

part of the cycle of appraisal, and it may be subject to modification or amendment at any

time after consultation with the holder of the post. Further guidance on the duties and

responsibilities of members of staff is found in the Staff Handbook and on Merlin.


PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential skills:

Educated to degree level, ideally with a teaching qualification or equivalent.

An enthusiastic and innovative approach and the ability to motivate others.

Excellent networking skills and the ability to build effective relationships outside

of the School community.

A progressive approach and up to date with the world of theatre.

Previous experience of managing and leading a team of teachers or practitioners.

Experience of teaching Curriculum Drama including examination groups.

A strong understanding of Drama and Dance both as a curricular and extra-

curricular subject.

The ability to analyse academic data to inform and plan lessons and monitor pupil

progress.

The ability to deputise for the Director of Drama and Dance in their absence.

Experience of working in an educational setting with young people age 11 – 18.

A very good knowledge and understanding of playwrights and practitioners.

Excellent personal performance skills.

Relevant LAMDA or TRINITY teaching experience.

Experience in management and development of timetables.

Up to date knowledge of examination syllabuses from RADA, LAMDA or TRINITY

and other exam boards.

Experience of directing full-scale productions to an excellent standard.

Outstanding communication skills and a genuine desire to build excellent working

relations with multiple stakeholders, in and outside of the School community

Strong administration skills.

The ability to lead multiple projects and manage a team efficiently and

appropriately.

Financial acumen and the ability to manage a budget effectively.

Competent in the use of ICT.

A flexible approach to working hours to include evenings and weekends.

The willingness to get fully involved in the life of a busy boarding school.

Desirable skills:

Experience in Dance teaching and/or performance.

Experience as a Musical Director or Voice Coach

Previous experience of managing or delivering outreach sessions in Drama and/or

Dance.

Technical skills and experience (lighting, stage management, for example)


TERMS, CONDITIONS AND BENEFITS

Downe House offers a range of benefits and competitive terms and conditions as

outlined below. The information in this document is non-contractual but is designed to

give you an overview of the post.

Salary

You will be paid on the Downe House pay scale, and your starting point will be agreed on

appointment by the Headmistress dependent on your qualifications and experience. The

post also attracts a Head of Department allowance. You may also receive an incremental

point each year up to point 12 on the Downe House scale. In addition the School

normally reviews salaries on an annual basis and any pay award agreed by the Board of

Governors is implemented annually in September.

Salaries are paid by direct transfer into your bank account by the Bursary on the last

Friday of the month.

Working Hours

Normal school hours are 8.30am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12noon on

a Saturday. There are 57 timetabled 40 minute lessons available across the week. Full-

time staff normally teach up to 32 lessons per week and part-time staff a proportion of

this and are paid accordingly pro rata. Although we always endeavour to offer stability

with regard to the number of lessons and the timetable, this is reviewed on an annual

basis by the Headmistress and Academic Deputy and may vary dependent on the needs

of the School.

Due to the nature of this position the post holder will teach approximately 24 lessons per

week. Flexibility regarding working hours, to include some evenings and weekends, will

be required.

Time off

As a general rule full time teachers may be given time off during the working week. Staff

who work on a Saturday morning will be given a full day off where possible and staff who

work Monday to Friday will be given half a day if possible. The time off will be dependent

on the School timetable and specific days cannot be guaranteed.

Duties

As a busy boarding School, we expect all academic staff to play a part in the full life of

the School. All full time staff will be required to complete nine duty sessions per year and

part time staff will be required to undertake a proportion of duty sessions in line with

their timetable commitment.


A duty is usually considered to be a half day (up to 4 hours) during the weekend. There

are many interesting opportunities to spend time with the girls including theatre visits,

sports events, cinema, outdoor activities, open days and many more! Staff are given as

much flexibility as possible to select dates and activities that are of interest and/or fit

with their home commitments. Full information about our duty system is contained in our

Duty Sessions Procedure.

There may be some flexibility on the number of duties for staff who already undertake

regular weekend commitments outside the normal teaching timetable as a result of their

teaching role. Where appropriate any reduction in the normal nine duties will be agreed

by the Headmistress on an individual basis and confirmed in writing. This arrangement

will apply to this position due to the nature of the Drama Department and the

requirements at weekends and evenings.

In addition you will participate in a rota of cover and other duties during the normal

School day, for example lunch duty.

Tutor Responsibilities

As part of your role you will be a Tutor to a small group of girls (approximately eight) and you

will meet with them on an individual basis every week. This is a fulfilling and valuable role

and further information about the responsibilities of being a tutor will be given to you when

you join the School.

Part time teachers may also be required to be a Tutor but the number of girls will be

proportionate to their timetable.

Probation Period

Your appointment will be subject to a probation period of three terms. During this time you

will meet regularly with your line manager and receive guidance, support and feedback. This

will also be an opportunity for you to raise any concerns and to discuss your development

needs.

Notice Period during Probation

During your probation period the following notice period will apply:

If appointment is to terminate at the end of Lent Term, notice must be given by 1 March

at the latest.

If appointment is to terminate at the end of Summer Term, notice must be given by 1

June at the latest.

If appointment is to terminate at the end of Michaelmas Term, notice must be given by 1

November at the latest.

Normal Notice Period

After probation is complete, your notice period will increase to the following:

If appointment is to terminate at the end of Lent Term, notice must be given by 1

November at the latest.


If appointment is to terminate at the end of Summer Term, notice must be given by 1

March at the latest.

If appointment is to terminate at the end of Michaelmas Term, notice must be given by 1

June at the latest.

Pension

On appointment you will be automatically enrolled as a member of the Teachers’

Superannuation Scheme administered by the Teachers Pensions. You may also opt out

of this scheme.

Holidays

The school holiday year runs from 1st September to 31st August and you are entitled to

5.6 weeks statutory leave, inclusive of public holidays. You are required to take your

statutory holiday entitlement during the first arising non-term time periods (aggregated

until the statutory entitlement is exhausted) in each holiday year, provided that, during

those periods, you are not unavailable for work due to sickness or the exercise of a

statutory right (for example paternity leave or maternity leave). Public holidays will be

counted as non-term time periods, but days on which you are required to work for the

school (such as INSET days, where a public holiday falls during term time, or school trips)

will not.

You may be required to work reasonable hours from time to time during School holidays

as required by the Headmistress.

In particular all academic staff are expected to attend INSET and staff meetings at the

start of each term prior to the return of the girls. These dates are published in advance

so you will have plenty of notice.

Heads of Department are also required by the Headmistress to come into School during

the holidays for various meetings and to support pupils during the period when exam

results are available.

Sick Pay

The School operates an occupational sick pay scheme to support you if you are ill and

comply with the requirements of the scheme. The payments are as follows:

After 4 calendar months service completed, up to 25 days on full pay and

thereafter up to a further 25 days at half pay in Year 1.

Up to 50 days on full pay and thereafter up to a further 50 days at half pay in Year

2.

Up to 75 days on full pay and thereafter for up to a further 75 days at half pay in

Year 3.

Up to 100 days on full pay and thereafter for up to a further 100 days at half pay

in Year 4 onwards.


Under Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) the first three days of any absence count as “waiting

days”, and do not qualify for sick pay. However, under the School Sick Pay Scheme

employees will be paid in full during the waiting period providing that:

during the first year of employment, no more than an accumulative total of 5

working days of sickness have been taken.

after one years’ service, no more than an accumulative total of 10 working days of

sickness have been taken in a rolling 12 month period.

After 5 or 10 days absence as above, waiting days will then apply and the first

three days of absence will be unpaid.

Meals and Refreshments

During term time free nutrious meals and refreshments are available throughout the day

while you are on duty. This includes breakfast, lunch and supper and a wide choice is

normally available.

Parking

There is plenty of free on-site parking available.

Facilities for use by staff

There are some excellent facilities on site that staff can use at set regular times. For

example our tennis courts, swimming pool, and fitness room plus staff swim and Yoga.

Further details are available from the PE department.

Social events

At Downe House we enjoy a number of special social occasions through the year when staff

can mix with colleagues and family members. There is normally a Christmas Dinner with

dancing, a Summer Staff Party in the marquee, and a Lent Term Dinner. Pastoral staff are

invited to attend with a partner/guest and no charge is made for these events.

Induction and Staff Training & Development

At Downe House we are committed to the professional development of all our staff. You will

receive initial induction training when you first join us, and you will also be assigned a

mentor for your induction period.

Following induction, you will be encouraged to demonstrate continuous professional

development by attending appropriate internal and external training courses, seminars and

conferences.

Discounted School fees

At the discretion of the Headmistress, staff may be eligible for up to two-thirds discount on

day fees should their daughter be accepted into the School. This discount is on a pro rata

basis for part-time employees.


We look forward to receiving your application. If you require any further information then

please do not hesitate to contact the HR Department on 01635 204712. Alternatively

please email the HR Department [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

vacancy information pack assistant director of …...dh dance has gone from strength to strength in...

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