Head of Drama

Job Purpose
An outstanding and inspirational Head of Secondary Drama is required for August 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 with additional learning 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-quality teaching 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 faculty leadership role (Head of Creative Arts) may be available for the right candidate, and candidates are strongly advised to indicate relevant skills, experience and interest in this role in applications.    

About the Role

Engagement and Interaction – School Ambassador to Internal Community

• Fully support the school’s Safeguarding policy, following reporting procedures and completing professionallearning required.
• To promote high standards of learning amongst the students and your faculty team.
• To support behaviour and relationships policy and practice.
• To work with other key functions of the school as needed, e.g. Admissions and Marketing, Finance.
• Liaise with Tutors/Progress Leaders regarding any students causing concern, initiate intervention.
• Liaise with Learning Support Dept regarding provision mapping of Individual Education Plans for students.
• Liaise with EAL Dept regarding further support required for students.
• Create opportunities to share best practice across the school.
• Promote and maintain a spirit of goodwill and co- 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.
• Ensure teachers in the faculty are providing high-quality teaching and learning experiences for students through the implementation of the DCIS definition of high quality learning and Learning Principles. 
• Liaise with the Deputy Head of Secondary / Head of Sixth Form on professional learning and development needs for subject teachers.
• Lead the Performance Management processes for subject staff.
• Use assessment data to oversee academic intervention for students so all make progress.
• Ensure subject teachers are kept up to date with and share information on national and internationaldevelopments in all curriculum areas, and with advances in teaching practice, pedagogy and methodology;
• Promote a culture of collaboration within the subject and wider secondary school.
• Identify both good practice and areas for improvement to develop a Faculty Improvement Plan, in conjunctionwith 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 

• Liaise with ISAMS administrator to maintain subject academic records of all students.
• Collate data/grades to monitor and track progress, analyse trends within the faculty.
• Support target setting procedures within the faculty.
• Ensure that the curriculum meets qualification requirements but is also innovative, engaging and creative, inspiring students to achieve.
• Lead the Faculty Improvement Planning process including the review of external examinations and studentprogress outcomes, and the setting and monitoring of annual improvement targets.
• Ensure that assessment data is accurate through a process of moderation and analysis.
• Monitor and evaluate curriculum provision and continuity for students.
• Monitor the quality of homework in the faculty in terms of consistency, relevance, marking and feedback.
• Participate in the formulation of Secondary strategic planning and policy creation and development.
• Meet regularly with the SSLT to collaboratively develop, monitor and evaluate the subject curriculum provision for the secondary school.
• Ensure the Programmes of Study, schemes of Learning and curriculum maps are up to date and reviewed annually.
• Liaise with other subjects and faculties to create interdisciplinary opportunities. 
• Liaise with Primary colleagues to ensure continuity with student learning supporting smooth transition.
• Work with the SSLT, Head of Sixth Form and Exams Officer to support preparation for delivery of externalexaminations IGCSE 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

• Lead the organisation and delivery of subject specific professional learning.
• Ensure the highest standards of professionalism are maintained.
• Act as a positive role model, by demonstrating our core values in interactions with staff, parents and students;
• Liaise with the faculty to identify Professional Learning opportunities.
• Work with the team to produce the annual resource requisition.
• Chair subject meetings as appropriate and keep accurate record of minutes.
• Lead in the organisation of subject contribution to curriculum focused days, festivals, House events, assemblies,public speaking etc.
• Lead the planning of subject related trips.
• Ensure the subject enjoys high profile via external communication and social media working in collaboration with Marketing.
• Ensure there are good quality displays in classrooms and public areas which support learning.
• Oversee the subject sections of curriculum guides/booklets; update school handbooks.
• Invest in personal development and leadership growth through Professional Reflection and Growth processes.
• Oversee parental contacts on subject matters, including follow up 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

• Qualified teacher with experience teaching in an international or intercultural environment.
• Hold a current Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure for all countries lived in.
• Compliance with visa requirements for working in Singapore.
  
  

About us
Established 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.

Safeguarding
Dover 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. 

 
Your application should include:

1. A current CV detailing your professional experience and qualifications.
2. Cover Letter detailing your suitability for this role. 

The application timeline

Application window is open until 27 November 2026