Teacher of Photography and Art [Maternity cover commencing November 2025]

Summary of the role

We are seeking an inspiring and adaptable teacher of Photography and Art to join our creative team at a vibrant and nurturing independent performing arts school.  The appointed person would be expected to teach throughout the School from Year 7 – Year 13, but with a predominance of A level teaching.   

This is a unique opportunity for a passionate educator with a strong photographic practice to guide and stretch students fostering a deep understanding of technical skill, personal expression and a love of the visual arts world.  The role would suit either an early career teacher or a teacher seeking further experience, and the ideal candidate will be confident delivering digital photography while also contributing meaningfully to the wider Art curriculum. 

The Visual Arts Department is staffed by four specialist teachers working across a suite of three dedicated Art studios.  At GCSE and A level, students follow the Edexcel Fine Art and Photography specifications, and public examination results are consistently excellent.  A significant number of students have progressed to leading visual arts institutions, including University of the Arts London, City and Guilds and Kingston University.  Throughout the school, curated displays of outstanding student work celebrate the high standard and creative ambition of our students.   

Art is taken seriously by all students, who rise to the high expectations set by staff, regardless of their starting point. Teachers provide exceptional support and foster a nurturing yet ambitious environment. While academic success is celebrated, our approach prioritises originality, curiosity, and individual expression. Students are encouraged to explore and refine technical skills while developing thoughtful, personal responses to the world around them. This emphasis on intelligent, independent creativity cultivates skills that enrich not only their work in the arts but also their broader educational journey.  Visits to galleries and museums in London and beyond are strongly encouraged, and Sixth Form trips have included New York, Barcelona, and Paris.  

All staff at ArtsEd are expected to sustain and improve the quality of performing arts training and academic education that is offered to the students in the school.   Our ethos is one of shared responsibility to which all teachers make a significant contribution. You will be expected to generate, along with the other members of successful department, the vision and ethos for the course and work together to develop the most innovative core units for students.  

In 2024, recognising our outstanding curriculum and performing arts achievements, ArtsEd was awarded a ‘significant strength’ by ISI, and the School won the ISA National Award for Excellence. 

Please email hr@artsed.co.uk for any further questions about the role. 

Key Responsibilities

Department specific responsibilities: 

• Exhibit a genuine passion for the Visual Arts, embracing both traditional techniques and contemporary practices. 

• To contribute to the teaching of the KS3 – KS5 curriculum in Photography and Art including GCSE and A Level, with experience in delivering both to A-Level highly desirable 

• Deliver high-quality teaching in both Photography and Art across Key Stages, fostering technical proficiency, creative thinking, and critical engagement. 

• Plan and assess practical and conceptual projects with a focus on skill development, personal response, and alignment with exam board specifications (Edexcel Fine Art and Photography). 

• Support students in developing visual literacy and subject-specific analytical skills, particularly in written components such as artist analysis and project evaluations. 

• Ensure the safe and effective use of specialist resources, including digital and studio equipment. Upholding all health and safety procedures and protocols; including the preparation and implementation of risk assessments. 

• Support the Head of Department in the monitoring and maintain all departmental equipment and materials related to Photography and Art, ensuring they are kept in good working order and are safely stored. 

• Support the Head of Department in the care and routine maintenance of specialist facilities, including photography studio, studio lighting and other equipment.   

• Support students in appropriate and respectful use of resources and consumables, promoting shared responsibility and care for the creative environment; reporting any shortages or damage in a timely manner. 

• Liaise with the Head of Department regarding budgeting needs, stock orders, and replacement of resources, contributing to forward planning for department expenditure. 

• Maintain accurate inventories of departmental resources and equipment, updating records in line with school procedures. 

• Support the Head of Department in identifying and prioritising future investment in equipment or software to enhance student learning and access to contemporary practices. 

• Contribute to the planning and supervision of educational visits and trips, supporting students in broadening their cultural and creative horizons. 

• To set and mark classwork, homework and any internal exams/assessments according to the School’s marking policy. 

• To support the design, development and writing of schemes of work relating to the requirements of KS3 and the GCSE and A Level Examination Boards, working collaboratively where appropriate. 

• To strive for excellence in the quality of teaching and learning within the department and ensure that curricular records are kept and reports written. 

• To demonstrate knowledge of relevant examination and assessment specifications, meeting all deadlines for marking coursework 

• To create, maintain and monitor appropriate records of students’ learning and achievements, curricular coverage, and assessments. 

• To write reports, attend parents’ meetings and respond to parents’ enquiries. 

• To advocate for and implement the school’s agreed policies and procedures. 

• To supervise the use and care of the rooms assigned to your classes, including adherence to relevant Health and Safety regulations in studios/classrooms and other facilities. 

• To attend and contribute to meetings for the department and others within school, and to adhere to plans, policies and decisions made during such meetings. 

• To take part in the performance management and appraisals programme. 

• To maintain liaison with classes and individual students’ form tutors. 

• To take on the pastoral responsibilities of a Form Tutor. 

• To work within the budget allocated for certain tasks by the Head of Department. 

• To maintain an accurate written record of all books/equipment sold to students in the school, and to provide a list of these disbursements when required by the Head of Department. 

• To oversee the provision and maintenance of effective resources for learning: textbooks, student materials, equipment and classrooms. 

 

School wide duties and responsibilities: 

• Maintain effective discipline through implementation of the school’s agreed policies and procedures. 

• Carry out general school supervisory duties as and when required to do so. 

• Attend and support Open Evenings, Parents Evenings, School performances and other relevant events. 

• Attend and contribute to staff meetings, department and faculty meetings, and other meetings as required. 

Duties and responsibilities of all Staff:

• All staff must promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons for who you are responsible and with whom you come into contact. 

• All staff must carry out their responsibilities with regard to all ArtsEd policies and procedures, ensuring inclusivity, equality of opportunity, and compliance with Health and Safety in the workplace. 

• All staff must respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means in line with the Data Protection Act. 

• All staff must adhere to the staff Code of Conduct. 

• All staff are required to regularly undertake Safeguarding, Keeping Children Safe in Education, Prevent, and GDPR training and to maintain their own professionalism and job-related knowledge through ongoing CPD. 

• All members of staff are required to be professional, co-operative, and flexible in line with the needs of the post and the School. 

• All Job Descriptions are reviewed annually and will change to reflect the needs of the School and the post. 

• ArtsEd is committed to the safety, wellbeing and safeguarding of all students and students and expects all staff to share this commitment.  Staff in all posts are required to hold a clear, enhanced DBS.  

• You may also be required to undertake and additional duties as your line manager, SLT, or the Head requires from time to time. 

• All staff are expected to provide a safe and professional environment that is respectful and supportive of other staff members and members of the ArtsEd community.   

• All staff are expected to provide safe and professional environment that is respectful and supportive to all students and enables them to explore their identities under the Equality Act 2010 and in line with ArtsEd EDI protocols. 

• Demonstrate a total commitment to safeguarding children. 

Person Specification