Head of Art

Help us build a global tapestry of talented women.

At St Mary’s School in Cambridge, you can be YOU. That’s equally true whether you study here or teach here. Because we’re all about empowering people and celebrating their differences. We value our girls for their confidence and curiosity, their community spirit, their agile minds and their resilience and drive. We do whatever it takes to create an atmosphere where girls can thrive and feel fulfilled and enriched – all the way from age 3 to 18.

So, it is little wonder that we’re an accredited World Class High Performing Learning School or that we were rated ‘excellent’ by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. As inspectors noted, we have achieved an outstanding 98% parental satisfaction rate and almost all our pupils attain places at the most selective universities, including those with the highest entry criteria.

Now you can join our unique community and become the teacher you’ve always wanted to be.

To maintain the extremely high standards which the Art & Design department have reached in recent years we wish to appoint a full-time Head of Art & Design to continue to develop the exceptionally skilled department. The successful candidate would be expected to have specialist knowledge of Art & Design practice particularly Fine Art in order to teach KS3, GCSE & A Level students. An experience of A Level Photography would also be useful. The ideal candidate would be able to start in September 2024, but for the right candidate a January 2025 start date would be considered.

Art and creativity are an integral part of life at the School, and the department has been awarded a national accolade in Art and Crafts by the Education Business Awards in recognition of the quality of arts on offer to our students. The Art Department has its own art centre, Number 47, which provides its students with a versatile and innovative space in which to work. The departmental offers opportunities to study fine art, printmaking, drawing, photography, Adobe Creative Suite, ceramics and sculpture.

Art & Design is a very successful and popular subject at St Mary’s with a relatively large number of students opting to take the subject at GCSE and A level. The department is proud of its results and consistently achieves a 100% pass rate at GCSE, with over half the students achieve grade 8 or higher. In the past five years 95% of students have achieved a grade A or above in A Level Art & Design (Fine Art) with 100% of students having achieved grades A* to B in both Fine Art and Photography.

In recent years, several of our students have achieved the highest overall marks in A Level Fine Art and Photography. Many students continue to pursue Art & Design in higher education, gaining places at Norwich University of The Arts, Loughborough University, Leeds Art University, and Central St Martins. Regular exhibitions of students’ work are also used as a means of assessment, which contributes to helping heighten the profile of Art & Design within the school. Student artwork is regularly entered for, and wins, local and national student art exhibitions.

If you have a dynamic and innovative approach to the teaching of Art & Design, then we look forward to hearing from you. Applications will be welcomed from teachers ready to take on their first leadership position looking for a new and exciting next step in their careers, as well as existing Heads of Department looking for a new challenge.

You will find it an exceptionally enriching experience as you interact with students from 30 different countries, ranging from Albania to Zimbabwe. You will be central to making them confident, well-adjusted, high-achieving young women with the skills and personalities to pursue careers in STEM, the arts, climate advocacy or whatever commands their passion. In short, you will help us build a global tapestry of talent: a microcosm of the world, rich with different languages, cultures and perspectives.

In return, you will enjoy an exceptional career and comprehensive benefits including a contributory pension scheme, 33% discount (pro rata for part-time staff) on school fees, BUPA cash plan, an occupational sickness scheme, free lunches and refreshments, a season ticket discount and much more.

If you have any questions, please contact the HR Team by email: hr@stmaryscambridge.co.uk or call: 01223 353253.

If you can be an outstanding role model and inspire our pupils to realise their full potential, it’s time we talked. For further information about the role and to apply, please visit: https://www.stmaryscambridge.co.uk/about/job-vacancies.htm

Closing date: 8.00am on Tuesday, 11 June 2024.

Interview date: from 8.00am on Monday, 17 June 2024.

We will review applications on receipt. Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date, and we reserve the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made.

The school is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants are subject to an enhanced DBS check.