Teacher of Art & Design

Canford is a friendly and successful co-educational boarding and day school with 650 pupils aged 13 – 18.  It has one of the most beautiful settings of any school in the country and is a very enjoyable and exciting atmosphere in which to work. We are seeking an energetic , creative and forward thinking teacher to support the Art Department in maintaining its tradition of excellence, this is an ideal role for an enthusiastic practitioner with a broad range of skills.  The successful applicant will join the team, to complement our existing skills and support a diverse range of interests and outcomes across our successful A level and GCSE Art, Craft and Design programmes. 

The Art school is housed in a purpose built building in the heart of the school. It has recently undergone a period of refurbishment to ensure it allows for a broad and up to date visual education.

Established in the department, The Coldstream Gallery shows an exciting programme of work by pupils, staff and artists. For the past few years, we have had the privilege of hosting an Artist in Residence for the academic year and this has enhanced both the pupil experience, introducing them to alternative ways of thinking and making work, and impacted our wider school community through lectures and exhibitions. Upper 6^th pupils all have their own studio space that they can visit throughout the week. There is an excellent departmental library and a suite of iMac computers. The Art school is in a spectacular setting next to the English department and the Design and Technology Centre.

At present the Art school is staffed by 2 full-time and 1 part-time teacher, their specialisms including illustration, fine art, craft and textiles. All staff are practising artists and regularly exhibit. Alongside these there is a full-time technician.

Links with contemporary artists and ideas are an important element in pupils’ education, and it is often outside lessons that some of the most beneficial activities take place. We have open studio sessions and life drawing in the evenings running alongside the workshop programme held at weekends where pupils are encouraged to build on their teaching and find personal ideas and new directions. The department runs an extensive programme of visiting artists from all over the country as well as a study trip at Easter which has in recent years included Portland and Cornwall.

All pupils take Art when they enter the school in Y9. They follow a broad course that teaches a range of skills and techniques and encourages a sense of discovery and intrigue in the subject. If they decide to take the subject at GCSE they have two taught double lessons per week as well as having open studio times during the week and at weekends. At present we are taking AQA Art, Craft and Design which is a broad course encouraging experimentation with a range of materials and outcomes, supported by thorough contextual and artist research.  However, we are keen to explore expanding the curriculum routes through Creative Arts in the near future.  All pupils are encouraged to be ambitious and work in a wide variety of media built around strong drawing and investigative skills.

In the 6^th form pupils electing to pursue art study the Eduqas A level Art & Design Course. The L6 year focuses on the acquisition and development of autographic processes; drawing, painting and printmaking.  Contextual awareness and a thorough appreciation of artists work is integrated in to the lower 6^th curriculum which aims to develop their critical understanding and knowledge of specialist areas in preparation year two. The U6 year leads towards wide ranging and ambitious resolutions. We put a great deal of emphasis on individual development, built on strong formal skills and intelligent contextual investigations.

A high proportion of those taking A level move onto Arts based courses post school. These include foundation courses throughout the country as well as directly onto degree courses in architecture, costume and fashion design and illustration and art direction. We have an extensive programme of portfolio preparation and interview practice. Destinations for recent leavers include UAL, Falmouth University, Kingston University, The Ruskin School of Art, Arts University Bournemouth, Manchester School of Art, Leeds Arts University and Bartlett School of Architecture.

Broader school life

All members of staff are encouraged to play a full part in the co-curricular activities of the school, whether in sport, theatre, music, or art.  The pastoral side of the school is very strong, and over half the staff are involved in some way with house duties. An understanding of the boarding school system will be helpful but experience in the system is not required.

Canford has its own generous salary scale and accommodation may be available. 

Applicants are welcome to contact Nicola Will, Head of Art, on nzw@canford.com, for further information.

APPLICATIONS

Please ensure you include details of referees in your application. Please also upload a covering letter and full curriculum vitae. For queries contact the HR Department on 01202 847590 or by email: recruitment@canford.com

Those interested are requested to apply as soon as possible, and at the latest by 15^th March 2026.  Interviews may be arranged prior to the closing date for suitable applicants.

TEACHER JOB DESCRIPTION

Canford is ‘a school community where all are inspired to explore, empowered to express and challenged to excel’.   

This vision is not just a form of words. It underpins how we live and work together, how we seek to educate and support our pupils and how we develop our staff who commit so much of themselves to those young people in our care. As a community we bring a sense of purposeful engagement and a courageous attitude to the challenges and opportunities which life brings; we aim high but pursue our goals with humble ambition and we strive to make a real and positive difference to our world through gracious leadership. 

Purpose:

All teachers should make a positive contribution to good practice in the school by generating enthusiasm for the work in their departments, building good relationships with colleagues, parents and pupils, and by encouraging and establishing high standards in the teaching and learning of a specific subject or group of subjects.  In addition, they are asked to contribute fully to the wider educational offering including pastoral and co-curricular provision and to the development of the whole school community in accordance with the aims of the school.

All staff are expected to promote the safeguarding, wellbeing and welfare of all pupils at all times.

The core teaching hours take place from 0800 to 1800 Monday to Saturday, with wider contribution required for pastoral and co-curricular activities during evenings and weekends

Workload will be determined by the SLT in discussion with the teacher.  Duties are likely to vary from teacher to teacher, but will include the following:

Academic responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver effective lessons according to schemes of work or as set out by the Head of Department/Line Manager.
• Set and mark work regularly for all pupils.
• Keep accurate records of pupils’ progress and achievements.
• Apply assessment framework as laid out by the Deputy Head Academic
• Set and mark a share of the internal examinations within the Department
• Set and mark coursework as required
• Write internal and external assessments/reports as required
• Attend and contribute to Departmental meetings
• Show willingness to share ideas and contribute to Departmental Resources
• Take a share of responsibility for activities organised by the Department (eg field trips, lectures, societies)
• Attend INSET meetings as required – demonstrate active engagement with CPD and an ability to share and apply this learning effectively.
• Attend Staff meetings as required
• Adopt a professional approach to teaching modelling behaviour expected of pupils

Co-curricular expectations:

Canford offers a wide and varied co-curricular programme including Sport, Music, Drama, CCF, Outdoor Adventure and Community Service.  Typically, a full-time teacher without additional responsibilities would contribute 4 afternoons sessions (Monday to Saturday) per week, throughout the academic year.  This would be pro-rata for part-time staff:

• Activities will be allocated which best align with a teacher’s skills and interests, where possible.
• A requirement to support weekend and evening activities during term-time
• An expectation to support School trips outside term-time. 

Pastoral expectations:

• House duties will be required, allocated during evenings and weekends.  Part-time teachers will be provided a pro-rata allocation.
• Staff attendance at assembly, chapel each week. 
• Other expectations include:
• All staff will be allocated tutees and will be required to meet the expectations of a Canford tutor, including tutor meetings in line with expectations set out by the School.
• An expectation to drive on School business, which may require you to complete a mini-bus driving assessment qualification (depending on ability/qualification).
• Timely completion of compliance training such as safeguarding, first aid and annual declarations to confirm an awareness and understanding of the School’s policies and procedures.
• Support marketing and admissions events such as Open Day, admissions assessment processes and other events involving feeder schools both on and off site where required.
• Support colleagues and engage with wellbeing initiatives both for pupils and staff.

No job description can fully encompass every aspect of this role and duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time.

TEACHER SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

•    An honours degree in a relevant subject
•    A track record of achievement and ambition
•    Excellent subject knowledge
•    Excellent communication skills
•    Expert classroom management skills and rapport with pupils
•    A considerable work rate and high degree of administration efficiency
•    Good/effective ICT skills
•    Love of working with young people
•    Enthusiasm to participate in the School community, supporting a wide range of activities
•    Strong, dynamic character
•    Excellent interpersonal skills with good pastoral instincts 
•    Stamina, emotional intelligence and resilience
•    Willingness to work on professional development and to assist others to do so
•    Willingness to continue learning throughout your career
•    Proven aptitude for organisation and quick logical thought
•    Attitude, style and presence of a role model for pupils

Desirable

•    A recognised teaching qualification such as a PGCE
•    Experience of classroom teaching
•    Understanding of the boarding school environment
•    Experience of working within a boarding school
•    Ability and experience working in co-curricular areas such as sport, music, drama etc

Canford School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates. 

Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.