Head of Art

We seek a highly creative and inspiring Head of Art. 

We are seeking an enthusiastic and talented teacher who can enthuse their love of Art in all forms.  We wish for someone who is able to encourage our boys to experiment across painting, illustration, sculpture, pottery, drawing, photography, graphics, film, video….basically as many mediums as possible to fire the imagination!

The Art Department is exceptionally well-resourced with a large, dedicated Art Room that includes its own unique covered outdoor exhibition space, as well as space for displays and exhibitions around the school.  Storytelling is an important strand of our School’s mission where the capability to develop stories through imagery and the joys of self-expression will be an important aspect to this role, interlinking artistic opportunity across the curriculum.

An important strand is wellbeing, hence the ability to engage children in the benefits of creative expression through Art for positive health and wellbeing is highly desirable.  If you are well versed in the visual arts with a passion for others to experiment, explore and create through different mediums, we would like to hear from you. 

For more information please see our website, www.beaconschool.co.uk which also contains useful policies including Safeguarding, and please note that there may also be the potential for accommodation on site.

The Beacon is a remarkable school and we seek remarkable people.  We look forward to hearing from you.

The main areas of responsibility are:

As a Teacher

• To teach Art primarily from Y5 to Y8 with skill, enthusiasm and dedication;

• To encourage and stimulate the boys to achieve excellence in all their endeavours and to expect the highest standards;

• To prepare lessons in line with the agreed curriculum and schemes of work in the subject;

• To mark and assess boys’ work and progress in line with the school and departmental policies and to record assessments in a clear and informative manner, using our digital systems;

• To report progress to parents at parents’ meetings and in written reports;

• To ensure that the boys’ work is presented and maintained in an organised, appropriate and accessible format;

• To work closely in a team with other teachers and assistants and the Head of Section and all members of the School Leadership Team;

• To liaise with the staff in the Learning Support Centre to ensure that the needs of all boys with SEN are met; 

• To ensure that IEPs are managed and maintained effectively;

• To maintain records and notes on academic issues on the electronic profiling system;

• To encourage the boys to experiment across painting, illustration, sculpture, pottery, drawing, graphics, film, video – as many mediums as possible;

• To develop storytelling through imagery and self-expression;  

• To create new ideas for opportunities for artistic involvement across all areas of the curriculum;

• To use creative skills to enhance the quality of school events and productions.

Pastoral

• To look after the well-being and pastoral needs of the boys in the class;

• To reinforce the Values of The Beacon;

• To monitor closely the behaviour of the boys in the class and deal with any inappropriate behaviour, in consultation with the Senior Master if necessary;

• To encourage and reward the boys for good behaviour, using a variety of different and appropriate methods;

• To communicate effectively and regularly with parents and other staff;

• To liaise with the Senior Master/Pastoral Team where necessary;

• To liaise with the School Counsellor, where necessary;

• To maintain records and notes on pastoral issues on the electronic profiling system;

As Head of Department

• To be responsible for the curriculum and standards of the teaching in Art throughout the school; 

• To establish clear guidelines for how the department should be run, especially with regard to school policies on planning, marking and assessment;

• To develop and maintain the PSB (Prep School Baccalaureate) in Art in Y7 and Y8;

• Continuously to revise and update the Departmental Handbook and Schemes of Work;

• To organise regular departmental meetings in order to review the work, progress and plan for the forthcoming term;

• To monitor and support the teaching of the other members of the department through individual discussion, assessment and lesson observations to ensure that ‘excellent Art’ is being taught throughout the school;

• Play a part in the professional development of others and arrangements for staff training (including Inductions, Probations and Professional Development Reviews)

• To be responsible for the allocated departmental budget and to use it to resource the subject effectively and efficiently throughout the school;

• To meet regularly with other Heads of Department to strengthen cross-curricular links and share skills, ideas and experiences in teaching and learning;

• To promote interest in and enjoyment of the subject through extra-curricular activities and inter- and intra-school events;

• To liaise closely with the Head of Learning Support;

• To keep abreast of developments in the subject, attend relevant training and all INSETs.

• To prepare Art Departmental Review papers for presentation to SMT and Governors’ Education Sub-Committee; 

• To attend and take an active role in Academic Team leadership meetings.

Additional Duties

• To regularly create exhibitions of boys’ work around the school and to work with the Marketing Department to promote Art at The Beacon via the school web site, social media and newsletters

• To promote and champion Art at The Beacon, for example through assemblies, and to promote The Beacon as an artistic centre of excellence

• To seek out and develop opportunities for artistic collaboration, for example with local artists, other schools, Beacon alumni and our community

• To perform break time and lunchtime duties on a rota basis;

• To participate in the after school clubs programme

• To supervise boys during assemblies; 

• To assist with the organisation and running of trips and events when necessary;

• To be a form tutor.

Personal Attributes

• A recognised teaching qualification

• Experience of teaching Art in an educational setting

• Experience of teaching Art using a variety of mediums

• Highly creative and passionate about self-expression through Art

All applicants must be prepared to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Beacon is an equal opportunities employer. References will be required and any relevant issues arising from such will be taken up at interview or a suitable point during the process.

Candidates who have a disability or any other special requirements should let the school know if there are any reasonable adjustments they would like the school to make as part of this recruitment process.

Please complete the Application Form in full (CVs cannot be accepted), which is available from the school website, with a covering letter and send: 

 • by e-mail to headspa@beaconschool.co.uk 

 • by post to: Mr Will Phelps, Headmaster, The Beacon School, Amersham Road, Chesham Bois, Amersham, Bucks HP6 5PF 

 The closing date for receipt of applications is 21st March 2019, and interviews will be held in the following week.