Lower School Art Assistant Teacher (80% FTE)

Reports to: the Lower School Assistant Principal

Hours: Part-time - 28 hours per week

Start date: August 2024

The Lower School Art Assistant Teacher will prepare for, teach and assist classes of up to 21 children on average, alongside the Lower School Art Teacher. The main purpose of the role is to provide additional teaching support to the class and facilitate differentiated instruction to students in order to maximise their learning experience in the classroom environment. Enhancing teaching and learning is the primary objective of the role.

Summary of Major Responsibilities:

• Assist in teaching Lower School children (6-10 year olds) in small and large groups. This will involve solo teaching on occasions, team-teaching, teaching smaller break-out groups as well as providing one to one support to individual students
• Collaborate with the Lower School Art Teacher and classroom teachers in lesson planning, preparation and assessment
• Support the planning, scheduling and organisation of activities, field trips, transport, schedules, etc.
• Supervise children during lunch and recess duties
• Liaise with other members of the teaching team, specialists and administration to develop the quality of instruction and student support
• Attend team meetings and relevant faculty meetings
• Engage in curricular and pedagogical professional development opportunities on and off campus
• Establish professional goals each year in accordance with divisional procedures
• Order and maintain art supplies and instructional materials
• Collaborate with the Art Teacher to create displays that reflect student learning
• Help and support documenting and sharing process of projects using technology
• Participate actively in the life of the School, through attendance at events, committee membership and leadership of extracurricular activities
• Any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, as requested by the Lower School Principal/Assistant Principal

Essential qualifications/experience:

• Training in Education, the Arts, or other relevant field 
• Experience working with children of early childhood age (6-10) in a school setting
• Strong oral and written communication skills, in addition to excellent organisational skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative team-teaching environment
• Demonstrable technology skills and proven ability to multi-task
• Recent professional development in areas of focus for the Lower School and willingness to participate in ongoing professional development activities
• Ability to take initiative and to make professional judgments regarding student welfare, communication, logistics, and use of educational materials and methods
• Embrace a child led, inquiry based philosophy that encourages learning through exploration
• A proven commitment to the safety and welfare of children and young people

 Desirable qualifications/experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, the Arts, or other relevant field
• Experience in teaching multiple classes per day
• Experience of working within various age groups in the Lower School

This position description is current at the date shown but following consultation may be changed to reflect or anticipate changes in the role that are commensurate with the job title and salary.

The American School in London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all trustees, employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All new appointments will be subject to appropriate checks: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS enhanced), Disqualification by Association Self-Declaration, Declaration of Criminal Record, checks against the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) Prohibition List (Teacher Status Checks) including Identity, Address, Date of Birth, a Full Employment History, Right to Work in the UK, overseas checks where applicable, at least 2 references (one with current or most recent employer, where appropriate) and original documentation of Qualifications (where appropriate). For positions into Senior Management a Prohibition from Management Check (s128 Directive) will also be undertaken.

All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected'. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. You may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure & Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed.

ASL is dedicated to fostering courageous global citizenship in a diverse and inclusive school environment. In our international community, we aspire for the cultures and backgrounds of our employees to mirror those of our families and student body, and we enthusiastically welcome applications from candidates who bring diverse life experiences, perspectives and skills. Educators with knowledge of global education and prospective applicants for any position who are committed to diversity and inclusion are particularly welcome to apply. The American School in London will not discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, maternity or parental status, or any other legally recognised protected basis under local law. Read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement here.