David Jeffrey Langley
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Summary
Experienced Performing Arts leader and outstanding practitioner with over a decade of teaching experience across the IB PYP, IB MYP, and the English and Welsh National Curricula. Currently serving as Performing Arts Team Leader at Raffles World Academy, Dubai, leading curriculum development, teaching and learning, and whole-school performances and events.
Passionate about delivering innovative, high-quality arts education, I have successfully taught Music from primary through to MYP ePortfolio level while developing engaging, inquiry-based curricula that promote creativity, collaboration, and student achievement. I am currently completing the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and am seeking to further develop my leadership impact through a Head of Expressive Arts role, leading excellence across both the performing and visual arts while continuing to build the strategic leadership experience required for future whole-school leadership positions.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Performing Arts Team Leader/ Teacher of Music
Raffles World Academy
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2023.08 - Current
- Promoted from Secondary School MYP Music Teacher (2023–2025) to Performing Arts Team Leader in the Primary School in 2025
- Lead the strategic development of Performing Arts across the Primary School, overseeing curriculum design, teaching and learning, assessment, and student outcomes.
- Manage and support a team of Performing Arts teachers through coaching, mentoring, lesson observations, and professional development.
- Coordinate and deliver whole-school performances, productions, concerts, assemblies, and community events.
- Drive curriculum innovation, strengthening interdisciplinary links and aligning learning experiences with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP).
- Monitor student progress and attainment, using data and assessment to inform teaching and curriculum development.
- Develop opportunities for student leadership, performance, and enrichment through choirs, bands, talent showcases, and special events.
- Previously planned and delivered the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) Music curriculum from Grade 6 to Grade 10, including preparation for the Grade 10 ePortfolio.
- Designed engaging units of inquiry covering composition, performance, music history, world music, and music technology.
- Selected to participate in the Leaders of Learning Programme for outstanding practitioners, focusing on instructional coaching, teacher development, and leadership.
- Currently undertaking the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL).
Teacher of Music
The Aquila School
Dubai Land, Dubai
2021.08 - 2023.07
- Responsible for teaching, planning and assessing music across upper primary, all of KS3 and GCSE music.
- In 2021-22, responsible for the teaching and planning of year 3 Spanish.
- Form Tutor of a Year 8 tutor group, delivering the weekly tutor programme, delivering Moral, Social and Cultural studies, PSHE and holistically overseeing the pastoral care of each student in the group.
- Contributing to the development and improvement of the music department and the arts faculty as a whole.
- Responsible for the development of new resources and schemes of work within the department.
- Musical director for the school’s productions of ‘Annie Jr’ and ‘High School Musical’.
- Responsible for the organisation of the school’s peripatetic music provision alongside DASH Home Learning Institute.
- Director of the secondary school choir.
- Attended the school residential to Umm Al Quwain, supervising the pupils on the trip.
- Helped to develop the ISP international music teachers community of practice on the ISP Learning Hub platform.
Teacher of Music and Drama
Monmouth Comprehensive School
Monmouth, Monmouthshire
2020.09 - 2021.08
- Responsible for teaching, planning and assessing AS and A Level Music, GCSE Music and KS3 Music and Drama.
- Form Tutor of a year 7 tutor group, supporting their transition from Primary to Secondary Phase, delivering the weekly tutor programme and holistically overseeing the pastoral care of each student in the group.
- Contributing to the development and improvement of the department as a whole.
- Development of new resources and schemes of work within the department.
- Preparing and delivering high quality and engaging 'blended learning' output during the Coronavirus lockdown.
- Attending CPD sessions to improve my teaching practice and pedagogy. Member of the school's 'Challenge for All' working party.
Long Term Supply Teacher/General Supply Teacher
Highgrade Recruitment
2019.03 - 2021.07
- Working solely at Monmouth Comprehensive School through the Highgrade Recruitment Agency, undertook roles as both a general cover teacher and as a teacher of music covering a long term absence from January 2020.
- Followed regular teacher's lesson plans in a way that ensured consistency and optimal learning, and that encouraged students to participate.
- Responsible for maintaining a well-managed classroom, a positive learning environment and setting the right tone from the beginning of the lessons with strong classroom management.
- Responsible for the planning and delivery of KS3 music lessons from January 2020. Also, responsible for the delivery of blended learning to KS3 music classes during the first UK Coronavirus lockdown and school closure.
- Worked two days a week as general cover teacher at Monmouth Comprehensive through the agency alongside my 0.6 fixed term contract at the School.
Teacher of Music and Welsh Baccalaureate
St Alban's RC High School
Pontypool, Torfaen
2017.09 - 2019.03
- Responsible for the teaching, planning and assessment of AS and A Level Music, GCSE Music, KS4 and KS5 Welsh Baccalaureate and KS3 Music.
- Form tutor of a Year 9/10 tutor group. Responsibilities included leading daily tutor activities, supporting the students during their option process and the start of their GCSE's, overseeing the student’s pastoral care and promoting the school's gospel values through prayer and reflection.
- Other responsibilities included directing and conducting the School Orchestra, rehearsing weekly and leading the orchestra in several public performances. Expanded the repertoire of the orchestra by introducing them to music from the 'BBC Ten Pieces'.
- ALN link for the Music department, attending ALN meetings and feeding back to the department so that we could best support all of our ALN students effectively as a team.
- Completed the Olevi Leaders of Learning programme, developing expertise in instructional coaching, professional development, and strategies to improve teaching and learning across the school
Long Term Supply Teacher of Music
Highgrade Recruitment
Pontypool, Torfaen
2016.09 - 2017.07
- Responsible for the teaching, planning, and assessment of KS3 Music classes on a long term contract at West Monmouth School in Pontypool.
- Other responsibilities included teaching a range of subjects as a general cover teacher and also worked with some students on a one to one basis within the school's ALN department.
Supply Learning Support Assistant/Cover Supervisor
Highgrade Recruitment
2013.09 - 2015.07
- Supported students with Additional Learning Needs on a 1:1 basis in the classroom in a number of different schools in the South Wales area including West Monmouth School and Ebbw Fawr Learning Community.
- Supervised students and delivered pre-prepared exercises when teaching staff were on short-term absences as a supply Cover Supervisor.
Education
Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education (PGCE) - Secondary Music
Bath Spa University
BathBachelor of Music with Honours - Music
Cardiff University
CardiffSkills
- Curriculum leadership and development across IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the English National Curriculum
- Strategic leadership of Performing Arts departments, including curriculum design, assessment, quality assurance, and performance management
- Teaching and learning leadership, including coaching, mentoring, lesson observations, and instructional improvement
- Strong understanding of IB philosophy, inquiry-based learning, conceptual learning, and approaches to learning (ATL) skills
- Expertise in music education, performance, composition, music technology, and musical theatre
- Assessment for learning, data analysis, and student progress monitoring to drive continuous improvement
- Event and production management, including large-scale concerts, musicals, showcases, and community performances
- Staff development and professional learning, with experience supporting colleagues through coaching and collaborative planning
- Cross-curricular curriculum design and interdisciplinary learning
- Effective stakeholder engagement with students, parents, staff, and external organisations
- Digital learning and educational technology, including music technology platforms and AI-enhanced learning tools
- Strong organisational, communication, and project management skills
- Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, wellbeing, and student-centred learning
References
References available on request.
Interests
My interests include travelling and exploring, current affairs, playing and listening to music and watching and participating in different sports. Outside the classroom, before moving to Dubai, I was Musical Director of two bands, Blaenavon Town Band and Bristol Concert Wind Band. I conducted the Blaenavon Town Band in a televised performance at the 2018 National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Timeline
Performing Arts Team Leader/ Teacher of Music
Raffles World Academy
2023.08 - Current
Teacher of Music
The Aquila School
2021.08 - 2023.07
Teacher of Music and Drama
Monmouth Comprehensive School
2020.09 - 2021.08
Long Term Supply Teacher/General Supply Teacher
Highgrade Recruitment
2019.03 - 2021.07
Teacher of Music and Welsh Baccalaureate
St Alban's RC High School
2017.09 - 2019.03
Long Term Supply Teacher of Music
Highgrade Recruitment
2016.09 - 2017.07
Supply Learning Support Assistant/Cover Supervisor
Highgrade Recruitment
2013.09 - 2015.07
Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education (PGCE) - Secondary Music
Bath Spa University
Bachelor of Music with Honours - Music
Cardiff University