Art & Creative Media Technician

Location: Tower Hamlets, East/Inner London

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

Contract: Part-Time or Full-Time, Permanent (Term-Time Only, 30–37 hours per week)

Start Date: Immediate / ASAP

A dynamic, vibrant secondary school and Sixth Form in the heart of Tower Hamlets (Inner London) is seeking a proactive, creative, and highly organized Art & Creative Media Technician to join their thriving Visual Arts & Design faculty. Situated in a borough famous for its world-class galleries, creative studios, and rich artistic heritage, this technical role is ideal for a practicing artist, fine arts graduate, studio assistant, or experienced school technician eager to manage art studio logistics, support specialist equipment, and assist teachers in inspiring student creativity across GCSE and A-Level courses.

About the Role

As the Art & Creative Media Technician, you will be the practical engine powering the school’s visual arts, printmaking, ceramics, photography, and digital media spaces. Working directly alongside art educators, you will oversee studio preparation, maintain specialist apparatus, manage art materials inventory, enforce workshop health and safety, and provide technical guidance to students during practical studio sessions.

• Environment: A modern East London secondary school featuring expansive art studios, ceramics kilns, darkrooms/digital photography suites, printmaking presses, and exhibition display spaces

• Culture: A highly creative, expressive, and supportive department dedicated to fostering student craftsmanship, artistic ambition, and university portfolio preparation

Key Responsibilities

• Studio Preparation & Classroom Assistance: Set up specialist art machinery, media, and tools for daily lessons; support art teachers during practical sessions by demonstrating techniques in printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and painting.

• Specialist Equipment & Studio Maintenance: Safely operate and maintain specialized equipment (e.g., ceramics kilns, clay mixers, etching presses, darkroom enlargers, 3D printers, laser cutters, DSLR cameras); perform routine safety checks and arrange repairs.

• Stock Control & Material Procurement: Monitor inventories of art consumables (paints, clays, canvases, papers, chemicals); handle orders, process deliveries, and manage department budgets in coordination with the Finance Office.

• Exhibition & Gallery Logistics: Mount, frame, and install student artwork for internal exhibitions, GCSE/A-Level moderation displays, open evenings, and community art showcases.

• Health & Safety Compliance: Enforce studio safety protocols, maintain COSHH records for hazardous substances (fixatives, glazes, solvents), safe clay dust management, and ensure studios remain clean and hazard-free.

Requirements

• Academic qualification (Degree, Higher National Diploma, or equivalent NVQ) in Fine Art, Visual Communication, Photography, Design, or a related creative discipline.

• Demonstrable experience working in an art studio, workshop, gallery, or educational technical role.

• Practical familiarity with specialist art equipment and processes (e.g., kiln operation/firing, printmaking techniques, darkroom/digital photography, darkroom chemical handling).

• Solid understanding of workshop health and safety, COSHH regulations, and safe material handling procedures.

• Excellent organizational skills, a hands-on approach, and strong interpersonal skills when supporting young artists and teaching staff.

Salary & Benefits

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

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), term-time working pattern providing strong work-life balance, structured professional development/training opportunities, and access to staff health and wellbeing programs.

How to Apply

If you are a passionate visual arts specialist ready to support studio practice and inspire young creatives at an ambitious secondary school in Tower Hamlets, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application and CV as soon as possible for consideration.