Teacher of Art

Ancora House School wishes to recruit a 0.8 FTE teacher/instructor of creative arts to start in September 2019; this is a unique and exciting opportunity for the right candidate to become part of an experienced and dedicated team of professionals who work to support the needs of young people who have mental health difficulties.

Our School

Ancora House School is a short stay hospital education provision; we provide education and support to young people who are admitted to Ancora House, the North West Tier 4 Psychiatric in-patient service for young people between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. 

Access to the school provision is directly as a result of admission to hospital.

The team of teachers, teaching assistants, transition staff and administration staff work closely with families, home schools and colleges so that young people remain engaged with their learning despite their admission to hospital.

Ancora House School also provides education for children and young people at Key Stage 3 and 4 in the Cheshire West and Chester locality; this element of the school operates from our Learning Hub in Blacon; the Hub has close working partnerships with our locality schools.

Referral to the learning hub is via the local authority who commission places for children unable to access their home school because of medical needs.

The Post

Teacher of Arts

The position would suit a qualified art teacher or an experienced arts practitioner.

This post presents the opportunity for the right person to develop their skills and build expertise in the field of mental health; it allows the successful candidate the chance to shape their practice and to innovate through their field of interest.

The role is multi-faceted; on admission to hospital young people are often unwell; hard to engage and may have missed substantial amounts of learning.

The post holder will plan and deliver individual engagement activities and group sessions as part of the wider curriculum timetable.

The successful applicant will have a pivotal role in securing initial engagement with young people upon their admission; the assessment information and observations are then shared with the wider team; information gathered at this point in admission is critical in securing the appropriate curriculum for each individual.

In addition to the teaching/instruction element of the role, the post includes that of personal tutor; all teachers/instructors have their allocation of tutees; six weekly reports are completed by the tutors to inform the multi-professional case review meetings on the ward. The teaching team work collaboratively with our health colleagues at all points during admission.

The post will be largely based on the main hospital site however, the successful candidate may be required to work in our locality Hub if needed.

The successful candidate:

Has excellent skills of communication and observation

Is not afraid of a challenge and is comfortable working towards individual goals

Has a warm welcoming personality

Has a good sense of humour and enjoys a ‘not so conventional’ school set up

Has a flexible and a ‘can do’ attitude

Has considerable experience in creative arts

Demonstrates empathy whilst maintaining boundaries and professionalism

May have experience of working in a mental health setting

Enjoys the diversity and challenge of working in an environment where no two days are the same

Is a committed team player

Is committed to the principles of equality and diversity in all forms

Interviews are expected to take place 23/24th May.

For further information please contact Sian Thomas or Marie Strain on 01244 397598 or email sian.thomas@ancora.cheshire.sch.uk; marie.strain@ancora.cheshire.sch.uk

Ancora House School is committed to safeguarding the welfare of young people. If successful you will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check.