Head of Performing Arts

Job Description

At GEMS Wellington School Qatar, our vision is to develop confident, creative and socially responsible young people through an authentic, future-facing British education. Central to this vision is a high-quality Performing Arts provision that nurtures creativity, confidence and excellence, while offering students meaningful opportunities to engage with professional practice.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Performing Arts to lead and further develop our vibrant Performing Arts faculty. This is a key leadership role within the school, instrumental in shaping a world-class, industry‑connected Performing Arts provision across Drama, Music and Dance.

WSQ is a leading British curriculum school in Qatar and part of the Premium GEMS Wellington brand. We firmly believe that every child can achieve outstanding outcomes, reinforced by our commitment to evidence‑based pedagogy and delivering a broad, challenging curriculum. As a community, we have very high expectations for all and strive for excellence in all we do.

A defining feature of this role is the leadership of our high‑profile professional partnerships, which enrich the curriculum and provide students with authentic, real‑world performance experiences. These include:

• West End Stage – delivering professional residencies, workshops and performance opportunities led by leading West End practitioners
• Shakespeare & Co – providing classical theatre training, text‑based performance work, actor‑led residencies and public speaking competitions

The successful candidate will have strategic oversight and artistic leadership of these partnerships, ensuring students benefit from professional‑level training, high artistic standards and exposure to best practice from the global performing arts sector. The role also involves working closely with regional and international performing arts professionals, as well as collaborating with partner Wellington schools in Dubai, offering valuable opportunities for staff development, shared performance projects and creative collaboration.

• Proven leadership experience teaching Performing Arts at GCSE and A Level
• Experience working with professional artists, companies and industry partners
• Inspirational leadership for teachers of Drama, Music and Dance
• Direct and oversee performing arts showcases, productions and school musical productions
• Organise and lead professional residencies, workshops and performance opportunities
• Inspire staff and students through high artistic expectations and authentic professional practice
• Champion Performing Arts within the school and across the wider community
• Be a vocational and inspirational educator who supports an inclusive learning environment, with the ability to raise standards for all students
• Be knowledgeable of and confident in the use of proven, effective teaching and learning methodologies, yet with the ability to think outside of the box and be open to new approaches
• Be fully committed to our Teach Like a GEM pedagogy and the notion that every student can achieve
• Have extremely high standards and expectations for all, and be able to work effectively under pressure with excellence as the primary goal
• Be aspirational for themselves and their own development and career progression
• Believe strongly in and fully support the wider extracurricular life of the school to develop fully rounded students
• Be an effective team player with the ability to maintain a sense of perspective and humour

The successful candidate will ideally have a minimum of 2 years' teaching experience, an appropriate teaching degree and Qualified Teacher Status.

To apply for this position, please complete the online application, submitting your full CV along with a Letter of Application clearly covering the 3 points below (Approx 1 side A4):

• Why you believe that you have the skills, experience and attributes for this role
• How your educational philosophy and aspirational mindset align to the school vision
• Other skills, interests or passions that you can bring to further add value to our team and/or contribute to the school

The Final date to receive applications is Friday 27th March. The post is to commence in August 2026
.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre‑requisite for all appointments.