Head of Art - Senior School

Dean Close School is a thriving independent, co-educational day and boarding school set on a beautiful 50-acre site on the edge of Cheltenham. The School currently has approximately 900 pupils between the ages of 3-18 years. Founded in 1886, Dean Close has a strong Christian ethos and is a happy and supportive working environment. Dean Close has recently built a state-of-the art Day House Village which has freed up teaching space on the main site to reconfigure academic departments. The first phase of this project was completed for September 2021 with the opening of the new Maths and Business and Economics bases. Exciting plans for future phases to create new teaching spaces and a new science block are in advanced stages.

The School is seeking to appoint a Head of Art to start in September 2022 to lead a thriving and highly successful department that regularly achieves some of the best results in the School in public examinations. The Department is highly experienced  comprising of two full-time teachers, a part-time teacher and two technicians. The facilities within the department are excellent, including the BonBernard Gallery which is used for exhibitions of pupils’ work and private views and attractive work spaces for pupils of both 2D and 3D art. 

The Head of Department oversees The Art Department which teaches Years 9-13 and prepares pupils for GCSE and A Level exams. It is an exciting time in the Art Department with investigation taking place into Artsmark, the Arts Award and the potential for offering A Level Photography. At GCSE pupil numbers are always excellent and the subject often being oversubscribed at A Level. Full details of the Department are available on the School website.

The Head of Department reports to the Deputy Head (Academic) and involves teaching a full timetable (with period remission). The Head of Department role includes the following responsibilities:

Contribute to strategic planning for the Department 

• Hold a clear vision for the Department in the whole school context. 

• Update the departmental development plan on an annual basis and discuss it with the Deputy Head (Academic). 

Management of the Department

• Take responsibility for the teaching and learning of all pupils in the Department including performance management, pupil tracking and promoting a culture of independent learning.

• Line management of teachers in the Department, providing support and advice as necessary.

• Chair department meetings.

• Organise department trips and exhibitions.

• Develop and manage the departmental budget.

• Take responsibility for departmental equipment, books and assets.

• Develop department resources, both physical and virtual.

• Make recommendations (to the Deputy Head Academic, if appropriate) for ways to change or improve the Department, and implement agreed changes.

• Ensure the Department has relevant information on Learning Support pupils and ELT pupils.

Liaison outside the Department 

• Communicate effectively with parents, tutors and Housemasters/mistresses on matters relating to pupils in the Department.

• Ensure a smooth transition for pupils from feeder schools and Dean Close Prep School into the Department at Year 9.

• Attendance at and participation in Faculty (Heads of Department) meetings.

• Attendance at Parents’ Receptions/Meetings.

• Attendance at Monmouth Group meetings.

• Attendance at INSET sessions.

• Marketing of the Department.

• Participate in whole-School projects which take place from time to time.

Person Specification

• The ability to inspire and teach pupils of different abilities and backgrounds in a co-educational context.

• The ability to lead, influence and develop a team.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• High professional standards and integrity.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and to prioritise within a busy boarding school environment.

• Ability to promote the Department to teachers, pupils, parents, SMT and Governors.

• The position also requires the post-holder to be willing and able to take a significant part in the broader life of this busy day and boarding school including the sport and games programme, co-curricular commitments, tutoring and working within the House system.  This commitment includes evening and weekend requirements.

Qualifications and Experience 

• Very good standard of education, an Honours Degree in a relevant subject (and preferably a teaching qualification).

• Experience of teaching Art in a senior school, preferably with some co-educational experience.

• Ability to teach Art to A Level and to prepare pupils for university applications where necessary.

Salary

Dependent on experience.

Application Process

Please click 'Quick Apply' and complete the application and forward any queries to recruitment@deanclose.org.uk

Closing date: 9am, Friday 4th February 2022.

Interviews are expected to be held w/c 7th February 2022.

Dean Close Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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Dean Close School is a thriving independent, co-educational day and boarding school set on a beautiful 50-acre site on the edge of Cheltenham. The School currently has approximately 900 pupils between the ages of 3-18 years. Founded in 1886, Dean Close has a strong Christian ethos and is a happy and supportive working environment. Dean Close has recently built a state-of-the art Day House Village which has freed up teaching space on the main site to reconfigure academic departments. The first phase of this project will be completed for September 2021 with the opening of the new Maths and Business and Economics bases. Exciting plans for future phases to create new teaching spaces for humanities subjects and a new science block are in advanced stages.