Sands School is a small independent secondary day school located in the town of Ashburton in the southern edge of the Dartmoor National Park in Devon. We offer genuinely child-centred teaching in small classes within a democratic ethos that fosters trust, mutual respect and self-directed learning.
Art at Sands is more than a curriculum subject. It is an opportunity for self-discovery and expression. Run from its own building the Art Department is more akin to a studio space than a classroom and is often likened to an Art College on a miniature scale. It is hardly surprising that each year students from Sands seek further education and careers in the creative arts. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to join a unique school as part of a long running successful art department.
This is a job-share role and the successful candidate will work with our existing Art Teacher and Photography Teacher, each bringing their own specialisms and approach to the subject. With group sizes usually around 12 or less personalised teaching is truly possible, and teachers often spend periods working one-to-one with students or have multiple activities taking place in the space at once. It is the role of the Art teachers to broaden the creative horizons of students and introduce them to new materials, techniques and encourage them to develop their creative thinking. However, students will often come into the space with a clear idea of what they want to do and how and teachers should also respect and respond sensitively to that.
The role involves teaching all three key stage three year groups, alternating between teachers on a termly basis and co-teaching the GCSE course including administering and marking coursework and final exam.
The successful candidate will:
Be an experienced Art Teacher, with experience of teaching at secondary level and preferably experience of delivering and administering the GCSE course
Have a passion for Art and Design with experience outside of teaching
Have strong technical skills and a grounding in drawing practice and broad knowledge of Art and Design
Be able to develop a rapport with students and be prepared to negotiate styles of learning, and adjust expectations to suit each child
Experience of managing an art department and/or studio, maintaining the space and resources effectively and efficiently with care for the environment
As well as being a responsible adult in the school you will be a part of the school community and will be expected to engage with and support all our students, not just those taking your subjects and to participate in the democratic running of the school through the weekly school meetings.
Sands School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful applicant will be required to apply for an enhanced disclosure (with barred list checks) from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and Exceptions Order 1975, applicants will be required to declare spent and unspent convictions and cautions that are not ‘protected’.
All shortlisted applicants will be subject to an online search.
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