Company Summary
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is a registered educational charity and membership association. Our mission is to educate the public in the art of dancing in all its forms: to promote knowledge of dance; provide up-to-date techniques for members and maintain and improve teaching standards. With approximately 6,000 members in over 55 countries worldwide, the Society conducts approximately 90,000 examinations each year. We are proud to have a vibrant international member community, supported by five dedicated International Representatives who provide regional support, insight, guidance, and advocacy. This global network is further strengthened by our dedicated international Facebook groups - a space for members to connect within their region, share experiences, collaborate, and stay informed.
Summary of Role
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is looking to appoint a Deputy Lead Assessor for the Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) – Unit 5: Child Development. This is a self-employed, freelance role working remotely.
- Role: Deputy Lead Assessor for DDE Unit 5: Child Development
- Contract type: Self-employed contract on freelance basis
- Location: Remote
- Hours: Variable; must be available during all assessment windows (three per academic year)
- Rate: £41.69 hourly fee
- Standardisation: Up to 3 days per year (mandatory; unpaid)
Main Purpose of the role
- To support and assist the Lead Assessor in leading and guiding a team of assessors and overseeing the assessment and moderation of all unit specific assessments as and when required.
- In absence of the Lead Assessor, conduct assessor standardisation training sessions, provide guidance and feedback to assessors during and after marking of assessments, check and ensure that assessment judgements are consistent in line with the marking guidance and the standards required of the qualification level
- When required, deliver Tutor and Assessor Training Seminars and review assessor guidance documents
Key areas and responsibilities
When required or in absence of the Lead Assessor:
- To work collaboratively with Quality Assurance department and Lead Assessor to ensure a smooth running of the assessment and moderation processes.
- To support the Lead Assessor and respond to assessor queries promptly and provide guidance and feedback when required.
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Assessing written evidence of candidate’s competence against assessment criteria and learning objectives within the qualification.
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Checking and ensuring that assessment judgements are consistent across the cohort and matched against the appropriate level descriptors.
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Support assessors in the standardisation of assessment evidence and sharing of best practice.
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Submitting marks and feedback reports to ISTD in an agreed format and to designated timescales.
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To sample assessments selected by ISTD Quality Assurance Department as part of quality assurance measures and provide feedback to assessors.
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Participate in ISTD Assessment Board meetings, contribute and undertake moderation of assessment samples and determine assessment outcomes.
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To report to the Assessment Board accurately and with informed outcomes and recommendations.
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To inform Quality Assurance department of any potential malpractice and irregularities that may occur in assessments.
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To respond promptly to Enquiries About Results (EAR) as requested by the Quality Assurance department within agreed timelines.
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To ensure maintenance of confidentiality of sensitive information.
Person specification
You will need to be engaged and motivated in the work, values, and mission of the Society. Commitment, engagement, and reliability are key to fulfilling your responsibility as a Deputy Lead Assessor.
The Deputy Lead Assessor must demonstrate:
- Educated to Master’s Level or equivalent, preferably in dance education or child development in dance related subject
- At least 10 years’ experience of teaching dance education and/or child development in dance at level 4 or higher.
- Demonstratable advanced knowledge of the subject area (child development in dance education) e.g experience of lecturing, publications within the subject area, experience of leading conferences or webinars in the subject area.
- Experience of marking and assessing written work at level 4 or higher preferably for regulated qualification.
- Ability to reflect as an individual, work with others to guide but also able to reach decisive final outcomes on standards
- Effective and proven time management skills
Desired but not essential:
- Significant experience of assessing dance at Level 4 and higher.
- Experience of assessor standardisation events.
- Bilingual; fluent in Italian or Greek languages
Equal opportunities
The Society values diversity of thought and experience. We welcome applications from anyone regardless of their age, disability, ethnicity, heritage, sexuality, gender and socio-economic
background. If you have any access needs or there are any barriers to access, please let us know in your application or contact hr@istd.org
How to apply
Please email your CV and cover letter to hr@istd.org before the closing date, quoting reference: DDEU5_Deputy_Lead.
Applications close: Monday 04 May 2026
Interviews: 11-22 May 2026
Start date: w/c 08 June 2026
