Art & Creative Media Technician

Location: Tower Hamlets, East/Inner London

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational, Ofsted Rated 'Outstanding')

Contract: Full-Time or Part-Time (Term-Time Only)

Start Date: Immediate / ASAP or January Start

An Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' secondary school and Sixth Form in Tower Hamlets is seeking a creative, organized, and hands-on Art & Creative Media Technician to join their vibrant Visual Arts faculty. Positioned near London’s dynamic cultural and artistic districts, this is a fantastic opportunity for an artist, designer, creative technician, or fine arts graduate to manage studio spaces, support student projects, and maintain specialist art machinery and equipment across a high-achieving school.

About the Role

As the Art Technician, you will provide essential operational and studio support across Fine Art, Ceramics, Printmaking, Photography, and Textiles. Working alongside teaching staff across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE Art & Design), and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Art, Graphic Communication, and Photography), you will prepare specialist media, manage studio inventories, assist with exhibition displays, and ensure safety across all creative workshops.

• Environment: An Outstanding Inner London secondary school featuring high-spec art studios, printmaking presses, digital media suites, darkrooms/photography setups, and dedicated ceramic kilns

• Culture: A collaborative, imaginative department where artistic expression, technical craft, studio safety, and student exhibition achievements are deeply valued

Key Responsibilities

• Studio & Workshop Preparation: Prepare materials, tools, paints, clays, canvases, and specialist equipment for daily practical art, design, and photography sessions across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.

• Specialist Equipment Maintenance: Operate, clean, and maintain art department equipment, including ceramic kilns, printmaking presses, guillotine cutters, heat presses, darkroom enlargers, and digital media hardware.

• Exhibitions & Display: Assist in mounting, framing, and installing student artwork for end-of-year exhibitions, GCSE/A-Level moderation displays, corridor galleries, and open evenings.

• Inventory & Safety Compliance: Manage stock levels of art consumables, liaise with suppliers for bulk purchasing, update COSHH chemical assessments (e.g., fixers, glazes, solvents), and enforce studio health and safety standards.

• Classroom & Student Support: Provide practical technical guidance to pupils during lesson activities, demonstrating safe tool handling, print processes, ceramic glazing, or darkroom/digital techniques.

Requirements

• Qualification in Fine Art, Visual Arts, Graphic Design, Photography, or a closely related creative discipline (Degree, HND, or NVQ), or equivalent practical technician experience.

• Practical familiarity with studio equipment, tools, and processes (e.g., ceramics/kilns, printmaking, darkroom/digital photography, or textiles).

• Solid understanding of Health & Safety legislation, COSHH guidelines, and safe handling of studio chemicals, sharp tools, and machinery.

• Outstanding organizational skills, with a proactive approach to studio upkeep, stock control, and event display setups.

• Patient, encouraging manner when supporting secondary-age students, with clear communication skills and a strong collaborative spirit.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Inner London Support Staff Scale (commensurate with technical experience and artistic qualifications).

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), funded health and safety training, term-time-only work schedules, and access to staff health and wellbeing schemes.

How to Apply

If you are an organized, creative technician eager to facilitate high-standard visual arts education at an Outstanding secondary school in Tower Hamlets, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your application and CV as soon as possible for consideration.