Art & Design Teacher | Good Secondary School | Nottingham

The Opportunity

Nottingham is a city with a vibrant creative pulse, home to the internationally renowned Nottingham Contemporary and a thriving independent arts scene in the Lace Market. We are seeking an imaginative and technically skilled Art & Design Teacher to join a 'Good' secondary school . In this role, you will nurture the creative identities of young people, using the city’s rich textile history and modern urban art as a canvas for high-quality visual education.

The Department & Studio Culture

• You will be part of a dedicated Creative Arts faculty that treats the classroom as a professional studio space, encouraging experimentation and risk-taking.

• The department features specialized facilities for fine art, printmaking, and digital photography, along with a dedicated kiln room for ceramic work.

• As a 'Good' school, the focus is on maintaining consistent progress and broadening student horizons through regular gallery visits and collaborations with local Nottingham artists.

• The department is known for its inclusive atmosphere, where art is used as a powerful tool for self-expression and student wellbeing across all year groups.

Core Responsibilities

1. Artistic Instruction: Teaching Art, Craft, and Design across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (GCSE), introducing students to a wide range of media including painting, sculpture, and mixed media.

2. Contextual Studies: Guiding students to analyse the work of diverse artists, from the Old Masters to contemporary street artists, helping them develop a critical vocabulary for their own work.

3. Skill Development: Leading workshops on foundational techniques—such as perspective drawing, colour theory, and tonal modelling—ensuring students have the technical rigour to realize their creative visions.

4. Portfolio Management: Supporting GCSE students in the curation of their sketchbooks and final pieces, ensuring all assessment objectives are met with depth and authenticity.

5. Exhibition Coordination: Organizing internal school exhibitions and participating in local community arts projects to celebrate student achievement and raise the profile of the arts.

The Successful Candidate We are looking for a practitioner who is as passionate about their own artistic practice as they are about teaching. Requirements include:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a degree in Fine Art, Design, or a related creative discipline.

• Versatile Artistry: Proficiency in a broad range of techniques, with a particular interest in helping students bridge the gap between traditional and digital art forms.

• Engagement & Inspiration: The ability to motivate students of all abilities, fostering a "can-do" attitude even in those who do not initially see themselves as "artistic."

• Organizational Excellence: The ability to manage a busy studio environment, including the safe handling of materials and the effective organization of high volumes of student work.

Why Join Us?

• A school that values the arts as an essential part of a balanced curriculum and a key driver of student confidence.

• Access to specialized professional development and regional networks of creative educators in the East Midlands.

• The opportunity to work in Nottingham—a city that offers a high quality of life, a legendary cultural heritage, and a supportive community for creative professionals.

• A warm, collaborative staff culture where the Creative Arts department is celebrated for its contribution to the school’s vibrant identity.

How to Apply

Please submit your current CV and, if available, a digital portfolio of your own or your students' work to begin the application process for this Art & Design Teacher position. An enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful candidate.