Teacher of Art

Art is a popular and highly successful area of study at Denstone. The department thrives on the diversity of each student and has clear focus for each stage of a pupil’s development, with personal and individual responses encouraged from all students.

The department currently consists of two full time members of staff who have specialist expertise in a wide field of art. They deliver timetabled art lessons to all year groups alongside one other teacher, who also teaches in the neighbouring Design & Technology department. The art department is well-resourced with facilities for ceramics, photography, printing, fine art and textiles. Nearby IT rooms are also available for use.

The AQA A Level course incorporates a structured programme of short eight week projects where students have the opportunity to experiment in ceramics, textiles, screen printing and drawing exercises. This leads on to their own self-identified brief where the individual works to their chosen theme, producing a thorough and comprehensive body of work ready for university. During the course students have the opportunity to have international gallery visits as well as artist workshops to embed their level of understanding as well as cultural inspiration and awareness of the wider world and the creative industries. Outcomes at A Level are consistently excellent, with 45% of candidates achieving an A*/A grade over the past three years and a number of students choosing to pursue art-related courses at university each year.

Art is also a popular optional subject in our Middle School curriculum for fourth and fifth form pupils. GCSE Art (AQA) is taught in organised block groups with typically two groups in each year group. Again, external exam results are impressive, with 60% of candidates achieving a grade 7 or above over the past three years.

The department aims to provide a programme of work for each year group which encourages good practice in Art and Design education through the production of a comprehensive portfolio of work by each pupil. In the Junior School (our first, second and third forms) pupils are involved in a foundation course which provides a rounded education in many aspects of the subject, from formal drawing and creative graphic work to three-dimensional work in a variety of materials and digital images. Art is also often offered as an activity on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, when pupils can have extra time to develop their coursework as well as experimenting with other materials and techniques.

We are looking for an ambitious, organised and talented teacher to contribute to the teaching of this subject across all years. The successful candidate will teach a full academic timetable (27 x 40 minute periods per week) across all years and days (including Saturday morning lessons). This is likely to involve a significant contribution to the teaching of examination groups. The arrival onsite of The Prep at Denstone provides further opportunities for involvement in the art programme for pupils from reception to Year 6. All full-time staff at Denstone serve as house tutors and also make a full commitment to the school’s extra-curricular programme: a willingness to be involved in such activities will be advantageous. Life at Denstone can be very full but also immensely rewarding!