Director in Residence

University College School was founded in 1830 to promote principles of liberal scholarship. That remains our first and overriding aim. Intellectual curiosity, breadth of study and independence of mind combine to achieve academic excellence; they are not subordinate to it. UCS remains true to the liberal traditions of its founders and continues to work hard to foster independence of mind among its pupils, to value their individuality and to create a diverse and inclusive community. Academic results are excellent. Music and drama are very strong at UCS and the school offers an outstanding range of co-curricular activities and enrichment opportunities.

The Director in Residence will provide expert support for curricular and co-curricular drama at the Senior School. They will be an inspirational and visionary director, as well as a motivated self-starter able to work well within a team of teachers and a technician, under the leadership of the Director of Drama. They will take responsibility for directing two school productions, including our annual Edinburgh Festival Fringe production. In addition, the successful candidate will be responsible for the delivery of some Key Stage 3 Drama lessons and they will combine a strong intellectual interest in Drama with an imaginative and flexible approach to classroom teaching and a commitment to developing a true appreciation of the subject in their pupils. They will also be active in facilitating participation in House competitions, organising and attending trips to the theatre and in supporting the creative work of others in the department. This is an outstanding opportunity to work in an ambitious and congenial Drama Department. It should, therefore, be attractive to a recent graduate (UCS offers full statutory induction) or an experienced theatre director seeking wider experience.

The Drama Department is a vibrant and ambitious part of life at UCS, delivering high-quality curricular and co-curricular provision. Drama is introduced in Years 7 and 8, taught in rotation with Dance, where pupils explore key theatrical skills, styles and texts. In Year 9 pupils may opt to continue, progressing to GCSE from Year 10 and A Level as a linear two-year course. At both GCSE and A Level, the department follows the Eduqas specification. Uptake at both stages is consistently strong, with excellent examination outcomes. Many pupils elect to study Drama at degree level at Russell Group universities or Drama School. Co-curricular provision is sector-leading in both scale and quality. The department stages three full-scale productions across the Lower, Middle and Upper School, a sell-out biennial musical, and an annual Sixth Form production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This is complemented by an ambitious programme of workshops with professional theatre companies, regular theatre visits, extensive technical Stage Crew opportunities, and a Trinity acting course, ensuring pupils experience theatre-making at the highest level both on stage and behind the scenes. The department fosters ambition, curiosity and creativity within the positive, supportive environment that defines UCS.

UCS has its own competitive salary scale. The payment for this post will be dependent upon qualifications and experience, but will be above the national scale. While the school does not offer accommodation, schemes are in place to assist members of staff with loans for house purchase. The school is similarly prepared to offer loans to help with daily travel expenses. In all cases, eligibility for financial assistance is carefully and independently scrutinised and every effort is made to assess the needs of individual applicants. If admitted to the school, the children of UCS staff may be educated at reduced fees. All members of staff are entitled to membership of UCS Active (the private Health & Fitness Club based in the Sir Roger Bannister Sports Centre) at a heavily reduced rate.

Please submit your application via the UCS page on My New Term. The closing date for applications is 12pm on Wednesday 18th March 2026. However, please note that we reserve the right to interview and appoint at any stage during this process; early applications are therefore very welcome. University College School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check before commencing employment. This is a requirement as the position is within a school working with children aged under 18. UCS will also undertake its own recruitment checks through contact with previous employers, and others, to confirm applicants' identities and their professional records.