Art Teacher | Co-Educational Studio School |Cambridgeshire

CORE PURPOSE We require an industrially grounded, highly creative Art Teacher to deliver specialised fine art, digital design, and commercial visual arts instruction across Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 (A-Level). Operating within an innovative Studio School environment, the successful candidate will bridge the gap between traditional fine art techniques and modern creative industry practices, fostering advanced technical skills, commercial portfolio development, and enterprise mindsets to prepare pupils for prestigious art college placements and direct routes into the UK's creative sector. KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS Project-Based Studio Instruction: Plan and deliver immersive, project-based art and design lessons that integrate traditional disciplines (such as painting, printmaking, and sculpture) with commercial briefs, digital illustration, and spatial design. Industry Portfolio Mentorship: Provide expert, individualised tutorial guidance to Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 pupils, mentoring them through the creation of highly competitive, industry-standard physical and digital portfolios for GCSE, A-Level, and university entrance. Creative Enterprise Integration: Collaborate directly with regional creative agencies, galleries, and designers to embed live, real-world commercial briefs and workplace commissions into the core art curriculum. Rigorous Portfolio Assessment: Implement consistent, critique-style formative assessment routines, analysing pupil sketchbook progress and project iterations to ensure deep critical thinking and high-grade boundary achievement. Work-Readiness Pastoral Tutoring: Act as a specialist Personal Tutor to a cohort of pupils, guiding them through creative sector career pathways, work placements, UCAS applications, and the development of essential professional communication skills. ENVIRONMENT & STRUCTURE Studio School Framework: Operating as a specialized, small-scale academy for 14–19 year olds, our campus explicitly structures its curriculum around practical, work-based learning. The school maintains a compact pupil roll, ensuring every young person is known individually and supported by specialist staff. Commercial Workplace Culture: The campus mirrors a professional design studio rather than a traditional secondary school. Pupils follow an extended working day, wear professional attire, and manage their own independent studio blocks, creating a mature, self-regulated atmosphere focused entirely on creative innovation and commercial application. PROFILE REQUIREMENTS Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or a recognised equivalent (such as QTLS), paired with a strong honours degree in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, or a closely related creative discipline. Pedagogical Capability: A proven track record or clear capacity to deliver outstanding progress outcomes in GCSE and A-Level Art and Design specifications through explicit, technique-first studio pedagogy. Industry Literacy: Active experience or a deep understanding of contemporary commercial design sectors, with the ability to instruct pupils in modern digital software alongside traditional studio techniques. REGIONAL CONTEXT Silicon Fen and Cambridgeshire Creative Tech: Based in Cambridgeshire, the school capitalises on a unique regional intersection where historic fine art traditions meet the booming digital media, gaming, and creative tech sectors of "Silicon Fen." The local area offers a rich network of independent galleries, high-tech startups, and architectural heritage, providing extensive inspiration for site-specific projects. Connectivity & Infrastructure: The campus is strategically positioned for commuting across the county, offering straightforward road links via the major A14 and A10 corridors. Rail transport operates smoothly via local network hubs, running regular services from stations such as Cambridge, Ely, and St Neots, providing direct links across Cambridgeshire and straight into London King's Cross. APPLICATION INTAKE Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.