Teacher of Art & Design

Location: Waltham Forest

Ofsted Rating: Outstanding

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational)

An Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ secondary school in the vibrant, culturally rich London Borough of Waltham Forest is seeking a visionary, inventive, and passionate Teacher of Art & Design to join their thriving Creative Arts faculty. This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious educator, whether an experienced practitioner seeking a high-performing artistic environment or a talented Early Career Teacher (ECT), to cultivate visual expression, technical skill, and creative confidence across an enthusiastic student body.

About the Role

As a Teacher of Art & Design, you will inspire students to explore diverse artistic mediums, techniques, and visual concepts. Teaching across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE Art & Design / Fine Art / Graphic Communication), and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Art, Craft & Design), you will utilize light-filled studio spaces, printmaking facilities, digital art suites, and kiln rooms to guide pupils through portfolio development, gallery analysis, and individual creative journeys.

• Start Date: Immediate or upcoming term

• Environment: A flagship co-educational secondary school celebrated for high academic standards, rich artistic expression, and strong community roots

• Culture: A collaborative, creative, and highly supportive team environment backed by dedicated art technicians, media specialists, and an encouraging leadership team

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver creative, high-impact Art & Design lessons across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5 that combine practical techniques (drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media) with critical context and art history.

• Prepare students thoroughly for national GCSE and A-Level examinations, guiding them through component portfolios, sketchbook development, and practical exam showcases.

• Foster an inclusive studio environment that encourages creative risk-taking, original concepts, and high technical execution.

• Assess, track, and monitor pupil progress, providing constructive feedback that stretches advanced artists while building confidence in developing creators.

• Lead or support departmental enrichment, including art clubs, gallery visits, community exhibitions, and annual student showcase events.

Requirements

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

• A strong academic degree in Art & Design, Fine Art, Visual Arts, or a closely related creative discipline.

• Proven track record or demonstrated capability of delivering outstanding Art & Design teaching across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (KS5/A-Level experience is highly desirable).

• Thorough understanding of national Art & Design specifications and examination board requirements (e.g., AQA, Edexcel, OCR).

• Exceptional studio leadership, personal artistic portfolio capability, and an infectious enthusiasm for visual arts and creative education.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London MPS/UPS pay scale (commensurate with experience), with potential TLR opportunities available for key stage coordination or gallery/exhibition leadership.

• Extensive continuous professional development (CPD), structured mentoring programmes, and clear pathways for career progression in an Outstanding school environment.

How to Apply

If you are an ambitious, creative, and inspiring Art specialist ready to nurture the next generation of artists and designers at an Outstanding school in Waltham Forest, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application as soon as possible for consideration.