Ziggi Szafranski Dyer is a theatre maker, educator, and creative thinker with extensive experience in performance, pedagogy and leadership. He is Head of Sixth Form here at The Purcell School while also heading the Drama Department and serving as the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead. Ziggi is a strong believer in working across disciplines, and is committed to academic excellence, student wellbeing, and ensuring that students have access to a vibrant arts education.

Ziggi’s journey into education is shaped by a rich and interdisciplinary background in the arts and sciences. After completing his secondary education, he studied Chemistry at Imperial College London before shifting his focus to the performing arts, earning degrees in Drama and Theatre Arts at Goldsmiths, University of London and a Masters in Performance Making. Since graduating, Ziggi has spent time working as a freelance actor and singer, also teaching both disciplines privately.

Across his career, Ziggi has combined professional practice with teaching. He is a practiced actor, singer, scenographer and performance maker, and he frequently works with young people and communities to develop confidence, creativity and expressive skills. Ziggi has been a member of staff at Purcell since 2015 and enjoys the unique challenges of working with exceptional young musicians.

Beyond the school, Ziggi continues to perform on stages across the UK in musical theatre, traditional plays and avant garde performances, and also as both a soloist and choral singer. He has an abiding love for the House of Mouse and the annals of Hogwarts and takes great delight in creating his costume for World Book Day each year!