Head of Performing Arts with Music Specialism

About Role

We are seeking an experienced, skilled, caring, and creative teacher to take an active role in all areas of our high school Performing Arts programme.  The varied role includes preparing students for IGCSE and A Level Music / Music Technology and working closely with colleagues across departments to play a key role in whole-school events and productions.  The successful candidate will be a good communicator and collaborator, who is able to engage students with widely ranging previous experiences to discover and nurture their musical and artistic talents, whilst developing essential skills such as creativity, communication, collaboration, and confidence.

The Arts is a key area of our school growth plan and we have already seen a significant increase in both academic and extra-curricular participation within the Performing Arts over the past few years.  Further to this, as a member of the EiM family of Dulwich schools, there are opportunities to collaborate within a thriving network on events such as the Dulwich Festival of Music and the China-wide ISCMS festival.

Our School

Dulwich International High School, Suzhou is the school of choice in Suzhou for Chinese parents who wish their children to gain the skills and education necessary for them to be successful in non-Chinese universities.  The major destinations for all of our students are the USA and the UK.  Our school is home to almost 700 students who study IGCSE and A levels. Our students ask for excellence in teaching and they work hard to achieve offers from their universities of choice.

We offer a personalised academic curriculum that ensures students leave us with the knowledge and skills to access the world’s best universities.  Because we believe in developing the whole child, we also have a thriving co-curricular programme in which all students and all teachers participate.

Suzhou is known as the “Venice of the East”.  It has a long and colourful history based around the waterways in the province. Much of Suzhou is designed around the lakes and canal system and it makes for wonderful walking, cycling and exercising opportunities.  Suzhou is a vibrant city that with an enriching art and performing culture that also offers many scenic areas of peace and tranquillity.  Public transport is cheap and easy to use.  The city is also one of the most multi-cultural in China and offers food and drink from all around the world.

Our Teaching Profile (International High School)

TEACH WORLDWISE

At Dulwich International High School, students come first.  And because teachers play an extraordinary role in nurturing our students to become confident, curious and knowledgeable global citizens, we look to recruit the very best practitioners in international education who are passionate about unlocking the potential of our students.

Our teachers nurture and inspire their students today to make a positive difference in the world – living fully, living responsibly, and living sustainably. We empower our Teachers to Live Worldwise.

Our Vision For Teachers

Worldwise Teachers:

•    Put students first in all they do
•    Display a positive attitude, adaptability and open-mindedness
•    Show professional initiative and perseverance
•    Are truly collaborative and display highly developed communication skills
•    Are committed to internationalism and equity
•    Are committed to sustainability and global citizenship

Worldwise teachers believe in:

•    The right of every student to be safe, supported and nurtured
•    Evidence-based and innovative pedagogy
•    Personalised and differentiated student learning
•    Setting high expectations for every student
•    Empowering students to reach their own goals
•    High levels of student motivation and engagement

A Worldwise Teacher’s Learning Principles::

Learning is effective when it:
•    is relational
•    has a clear purpose
•    is adapted and applied
•    is personalised

Leadership Capabilities

This leadership capability framework describes what ‘good’ leadership looks like in our schools. It articulates what capabilities we are looking for in order to deliver on College/School’s key priorities.

Our Leadership Capabilities include:

• Leads Teaching and Learning
• Leads with Vision and Inspiration
• Leads by building and sustaining high trust relationships
• Leads Inclusively
• Leads Strategic Thinking and Planning
• Leads the learning culture and professional learning community
• Leads the management of the school
• Leads Highly Effective Teams
• Leads Well-being

Post-holder Qualifications, Experience

How to Apply

To apply for this position you will need to include:

  – an application letter

  –  your CV

  –  a statement of educational philosophy

  –  details of three referees from your current and previous employer

Applications should be submitted through our on-line application system at: https://www.dulwich.org/careers/find-your-career?code=dihsz

For further information please see our website at https://suzhou-high-school.dulwich.org/

The closing date for applications is 31 January 2024.

Interviews will take place as soon as applications are received, therefore early application is encouraged.

Safeguarding Statement

Our College/School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and expects all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices, which are aligned to the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection. All appointments are subject to an interview, identity checks, criminal record checks, successful references, as well as due visa and work permit process as required by Chinese law.

Equity Diversity Inclusion Statement

EiM is committed to diversity within its team, organisational practices, policies and culture. It recognises that people with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perceptions, and it encourages and leverages these differences to make its work more relevant and approachable. EiM will not discriminate or tolerate discriminatory behaviour on any grounds such as, but not limited to, race, gender, disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age or socioeconomic background. EiM strives to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging, has a voice, can raise concerns, and feels comfortable and confident. It expects everyone who works with it to share this commitment and to act accordingly, as it aspires to best serve the EiM mission and its community.

Competencies