Head of Creative Arts

About GESS

As one of the leading international schools in Singapore, GESS is home to students from over 70 nations worldwide. We are for many families the home away from home and we are very happy that they are part of our school community which is based on mutual support and solidarity. With our language programme, we support our students to nurture this part of their identity and want to preserve the opportunity that they can grow up with multiple languages to be best prepared for an international environment. With the German International Abitur or the IB Programme they are perfectly prepared for their career after school. Our students enjoy lifelong learning and we take pride in our GESS values of respect, openness and diversity which our students will nurture in their life after school.

We were awarded with the “Deutsche Schulpreis” (German school prize) 2022, which was given to us for our extraordinary concept according to their motto “Make teaching better”. We stand out as the only German school abroad nominated for this award.

Head of Creative Arts (with additional responsibility for the Music department)

Commencing: 01 August 2025

The Head of Creative Arts is tasked with leading the development and implementation of GESS’s whole-school programmes in music, visual art, and drama, inspiring creativity and engagement across all age groups. A central aspect of the role is fostering greater student participation by promoting the arts as a core pillar of the GESS community experience.

This position involves coordinating events and productions in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the BeyondClassroom, CCA, and Marketing departments. The Head of Creative Arts also ensures the smooth operation of the department, working closely with facilities to maintain the auditorium and other creative spaces.

By providing clear direction, a focused vision, and a comprehensive development plan, the Head of Creative Arts ensures that staff feel well-supported and challenged in their roles. This leadership fosters an environment where students thrive, enjoy their creative learning experiences, and achieve excellent progress in the arts.

Key Accountabilities

1. Strategic development
   · Supporting strategic direction and development of the Creative Arts Department.
   · Promote creative arts events and programs to engage the GESS community and gain greater student interest and involvement.
2. Leadership
   · Provide leadership that motivates, supports, and challenges staff at all levels to drive continuous improvement.
   · Model and promote respectful, trustworthy, and fair conduct across the department.
   · Plan, lead, and document purposeful and efficient meetings.
   · Direct and oversee extra-curricular visual art, music, and drama ensembles.
   · Ensure high-quality teaching and learning within the department.
   · Foster a culture of professional development and dialogue focused on improving teaching and learning.
   · Line manage designated staff members and provide support for all department members.
   · Develop and maintain clear and effective department policies.
   · Create and implement a department development plan aligned with the school’s vision.
   · Regularly review and enhance the department curriculum to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
   · Plan and manage department budgets or oversee budget management by department heads where applicable.
   · Establish and monitor department tracking systems to support and improve student progress.
   · Maintain and uphold high standards of behaviour for learning across the department.
   · Provide guidance and leadership to Subject Leads within the department to achieve shared priorities.
3. Community engagement
   · Build and maintain strong partnerships with teachers, parents and external providers to support student achievement.
   · Facilitate effective communication between teachers and parents, especially in complex or challenging situations.
   · Support investigations into cases of serious student misbehaviour.
   · Act as a liaison between leadership, parents, students, and community members as required.
4. Organisation and Communications
   · Oversee the daily operations of the Creative Arts department to ensure efficiency.
   · Provide teachers with the necessary information to perform their roles effectively.
   · Organise and implement performances and exhibitions for internal and external events.
   · Coordinate whole-school assemblies, including agenda setting, communication, and event planning.
   · Liaise with the auditorium technical team to address issues and resolve challenges.
   · Collaborate with the events manager on school-wide events.
5. Student well-being
   · Communicate and uphold agreed behavioural standards, including the Student Code of Conduct, among students and teachers.
   · Maintain good order and discipline during the school day and at all authorised school activities, both on and off the premises.
6. Recruitment and retention of quality staff
   · Promote staff well-being by recognising and appreciating their efforts.
   · Support the recruitment and selection of high-quality teachers and staff.
   · Identify professional development needs and facilitate training or mentorship opportunities.
   · Conduct staff appraisals in accordance with the school's appraisal policies and procedures.
7. Policies
   · Contributing to new policies and updating of existing ones.
8. Facilities, health and safety
   · Coordinating with the facilities department for maintenance and development of the school facilities and grounds, ensuring that any lack of maintenance is promptly reported and resolved.
9. Additional responsibilities
   · All other responsibilities and tasks as deemed appropriate by SLT and the Line Manager.

Knowledge and Experience

An experienced leader with the following key areas of knowledge and expertise:

1. · Educated to Degree Level, Masters (or equivalent) preferred, with Qualified Teacher status with a minimum of 10 years of teaching experience.
2. · Proven leadership experience in a senior educational leadership role of minimum 5 years.
3. · Proven ability to develop opportunities for parental involvement.
4. · High understanding of educational quality management.
5. · Proven understanding of effective teaching and learning theory and practice.
6. · A good understanding of the curriculum.
7. · An excellent understanding of contemporary international educational policies and best practices.

Fair Recruitment and Safeguarding: We are committed to fair recruitment practices and safeguarding the welfare of all students. We ensure that our hiring processes are free from discrimination and bias on the basis of age, nationality, gender, marital status, pregnancy status, caregiving responsibilities, race, religion, language, disability or mental health conditions. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, we conduct thorough background checks on all candidates which include criminal background checks in all countries lived and worked in for the last ten years, as well as reference checks. Any offer is subject to the satisfactory completion of such checks. Our school prioritises the safety and well-being of our students, and we expect all staff members to uphold these values.