Art & Design Teacher | Secondary School in Havering

Teacher of Art & Design Location: Havering, East/Outer London School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational) Contract: Full-Time, Permanent or Fixed-Term Start Date: Immediate / ASAP or January Start An ambitious, creative secondary school and Sixth Form in the East London Borough of Havering is seeking an imaginative, technically skilled, and dynamic Teacher of Art & Design to join their expressive Visual Arts faculty. This is an exciting opportunity for a visual arts practitioner, whether an experienced teacher seeking to lead high-level gallery showcases or a passionate Early Career Teacher (ECT), to cultivate artistic confidence, fine art techniques, and creative problem-solving across an eager student body. About the Role As a Teacher of Art & Design, you will inspire students to experiment across media, from fine art drawing and painting to printmaking, sculpture, photography, and digital illustration. Joining a vibrant department, you will deliver engaging practical workshops and theoretical lessons across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE Art & Design / Graphic Communication), and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Fine Art / Art, Craft & Design), guiding pupils from initial sketchbook ideation to finished exhibition-quality projects. Environment: A supportive Outer London secondary school featuring light-filled studio spaces, kiln facilities, printmaking rigs, digital suites, and a calendar of annual student exhibitions Culture: A highly collaborative Visual Arts department supported by dedicated technician cover, shared digital schemes of learning, and forward-thinking leadership Key Responsibilities Plan and deliver practical, inspiring Art & Design lessons across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5 that develop students' technical skills, contextual understanding, and critical analysis. Guide GCSE and A-Level candidates through non-examined assessments (coursework portfolios and externally set assignments) using diagnostic portfolio feedback and structured moderation routines. Embed rich art history, contemporary movements, and diverse global artists into daily teaching to expand students' cultural literacy and creative critical thinking. Maintain workshop safety, material inventory, and studio organization, ensuring proper handling of specialized tools, paints, solvents, and equipment. Contribute positively to department enrichment, such as lunchtime studio access, gallery trips, community art installations, and student exhibition curation. Requirements Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent recognized teaching credential. A strong academic degree in Fine Art, Visual Arts, Graphic Design, Art Education, or a closely related creative discipline. Demonstrated track record or capability of delivering outstanding Art & Design teaching across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (KS5/A-Level Fine Art or Graphic Communication experience is highly desirable). In-depth knowledge of national Art & Design examination board specifications (e.g., AQA, Edexcel, OCR) and portfolio grading criteria. Superior studio management skills, strong personal artistic technique, and an infectious enthusiasm for visual media, design, and student expression. Salary & Benefits Pay Scale: Outer London Main / Upper Pay Scale (MPS/UPS Outer London, commensurate with experience), with potential TLR opportunities available for Key Stage Coordination or Visual Arts Enrichment. Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), comprehensive continuous professional development (CPD), structured onboarding, and access to staff health and wellbeing schemes. How to Apply If you are a passionate, innovative Art & Design specialist ready to inspire the next generation of visual artists and designers at a thriving secondary school in Havering, we invite you to apply. Please submit your application and CV as soon as possible for consideration.