Art & Design Teacher | Secondary School in Waltham Forest

Teacher of Art & Design – Fine Art & Visual Practice (January Start)

Location: Waltham Forest, East/Outer London

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational, Ages 11–18)

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent or Fixed-Term

Start Date: January 2027

A creative, community-minded secondary school and Sixth Form in the London Borough of Waltham Forest is seeking an imaginative, expressive, and technically skilled Teacher of Art & Design to join their thriving Visual & Creative Arts faculty this January. Situated in a vibrant Outer London borough celebrated for its rich artistic heritage, William Morris legacy, and strong creative community, this January appointment offers a rewarding opportunity for an Art specialist—whether an experienced practitioner seeking a fresh setting or a confident Early Career Teacher (ECT)—to nurture visual literacy, technical craftsmanship, and bold creative experimentation across all key stages.

About the Role

Joining a collaborative team of practicing artists and specialist technicians from January, you will guide students through the full creative journey—from observational drawing and contextual artist research to material experimentation and resolved final pieces. You will deliver engaging, high-rigor lessons across Key Stage 3 Art & Design, Key Stage 4 (GCSE Art, Craft & Design / Fine Art), and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Fine Art / Photography or Graphics). Your teaching will build strong technical fluency across traditional and contemporary media, equipping young creatives with the portfolio depth and critical confidence required for foundation courses and top-tier university art degrees.

• Environment: A bright, well-resourced Outer London campus featuring spacious North-lit art studios, dedicated ceramics and printmaking facilities, darkroom/digital photography suites, and dedicated art technician support

• Culture: An expressive, inclusive, and visually inspiring learning community committed to artistic diversity, individual creative voice, and outstanding examination outcomes

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver stimulating, inclusive, and technically rigorous Art & Design lessons across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE), and Key Stage 5 (A-Level), spanning drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture/ceramics, mixed media, and digital image-making.

• Guide GCSE and A-Level candidates through their Personal Investigation portfolios and Externally Set Assignments (ESA), providing structured sketchbook critiques, contextual research coaching, and technical studio support.

• Curate an inspiring studio environment that celebrates student work, reflects diverse global and contemporary visual artists, and upholds safe studio practices around materials, kilns, and printmaking presses.

• Track and evaluate student creative progress systematically, providing constructive, actionable feedback, executing tailored scaffolding for developing artists, and designing conceptual stretch for aspiring art-school applicants.

• Contribute actively to departmental enrichment, including open-studio lunch clubs, annual whole-school summer exhibitions, gallery visits across London (such as the William Morris Gallery, Tate, and National Gallery), and community art projects.

Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or a recognized equivalent secondary teaching credential.

• A strong academic degree in Fine Art, Art & Design, Illustration, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography, or a closely related visual arts discipline.

• Proven track record or demonstrated capability of delivering high-quality Art & Design instruction across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (A-Level Fine Art or Photography teaching experience is highly desirable).

• Comprehensive working knowledge of major UK national examination board assessment objectives (e.g., AQA, Edexcel, OCR) and confidence teaching a breadth of 2D and 3D studio disciplines.

• Exceptional studio management, strong practical demonstration skills, and an infectious enthusiasm for visual culture and student creativity.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London Main / Upper Pay Scale (MPS/UPS Outer London, commensurate with experience), with potential TLR opportunities available for suitable candidates (e.g., Key Stage 3 Art Coordinator or Exhibition Lead).

• Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), comprehensive continuous professional development (CPD), structured mentoring and middle leadership pathways, dedicated technician support, and staff health and wellbeing initiatives.

How to Apply

If you are an inspiring Art & Design educator ready to join a vibrant, creative school community in Waltham Forest this January, we encourage you to apply promptly. Please send your updated CV and completed application form for consideration.