At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and deliver engaging Art lessons while developing your teaching skills.
- Company: Join a high-performing secondary school with a focus on professional growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous CPD, collaborative planning, and access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
- Other info: Flexible interview dates and commitment to diversity and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Kickstart your teaching career in a supportive environment that values creativity and excellence.
- Qualifications: Degree in Art or related subject; passion for teaching and working with young people.
The predicted salary is between 31650 - 43607 £ per year.
Location: Cottenham Village College
Contract: 1 Year Fixed Term (UQT1)
Start Date: September 2026
About Cottenham Village College
Cottenham Village College is a high-performing secondary school within Astrea Academy Trust, located in Cambridgeshire. The school is committed to providing a knowledge-rich curriculum and a disruption-free learning environment where all students can thrive. With a strong focus on high-quality teaching, consistent behaviour systems and professional development, Cottenham Village College offers a supportive and ambitious setting for staff at all stages of their careers. As part of the Astrea Cambridgeshire region, you will benefit from collaboration, shared resources and clear opportunities for progression.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a graduate in Art or a related subject to begin a career in teaching. As a Postgraduate Trainee Teacher of Art, you will develop the skills and experience needed to become an effective classroom practitioner, supported by expert colleagues, instructional coaching and a structured training programme.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the planning and delivery of high-quality Art lessons across key stages
- Gradually take responsibility for teaching classes as your confidence and experience grows
- Promote high expectations of behaviour and contribute to a calm, disruption-free learning environment
- Support students of all abilities to make strong progress
- Assist with assessment, providing feedback to support learning
- Contribute to the development of curriculum resources within the department
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and engage fully in training and professional development
- Support enrichment opportunities and the wider life of the school
What to Expect
- A structured and supportive training environment with an experienced mentor
- Instructional coaching and regular, low-stakes feedback to support your development
- Opportunities to observe excellent teaching and develop your own classroom practice
- Gradual increase in teaching responsibility throughout the year
- Access to high-quality, centrally planned resources to support lesson delivery
- Clear pathways into formal teacher training routes
What We’re Looking For
- A degree in Art or a closely related subject
- A strong passion for Art and a commitment to a career in teaching
- A willingness to undertake teacher training and develop your classroom practice
- Experience working with young people (e.g. tutoring, mentoring, youth work) - desirable
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- A proactive, reflective approach and openness to feedback
- High expectations of behaviour and a commitment to excellence for all students
- Alignment with the values and ethos of Cottenham Village College and Astrea Academy Trust
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
Benefits of Working at CVC
- A collaborative department with shared planning and fully resourced schemes of work
- A feedback-focused culture with no onerous marking expectations
- Disruption-free classrooms supported by a clear ‘warm/strict’ behaviour approach
- Instructional coaching and regular ‘no-stakes’ drop-ins
- Access to National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)
- Generous CPD and career development across the Astrea Cambridgeshire region
- Membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
- Free on-site parking
Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI
Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. We value diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities. In line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and the statutory Code of Practice, the Trust requires all public-facing post holders to demonstrate fluent English. Within a school setting, this applies to all roles that involve direct or indirect interaction with pupils, parents, or members of the public.
Flexible Interview Dates
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Please note that interview dates are flexible, and the academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you're ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to our dynamic and forward-thinking team, apply today and be a part of our mission to create a positive impact!
Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship - Art in Cambridge employer: Cottenham Village College
Cottenham Village College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and ambitious environment for aspiring teachers. With a strong focus on professional development, collaborative planning, and a commitment to high-quality teaching, staff can expect ample opportunities for growth and progression within the Astrea Academy Trust. Located in the picturesque Cambridgeshire, the college promotes a positive work culture that values feedback and prioritises the well-being of both students and staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship - Art in Cambridge
✨Get Involved in Online Communities
Dive into online forums and social media groups focused on digital learning and education like EdTech and instructional design. Not only can you learn a lot from others’ experiences, but you can also showcase your passion and make connections that might lead to opportunities at companies like Cottenham Village College.
✨Attend Workshops and Conferences
Look out for events or workshops related to digital learning — places where educators and tech innovators gather. These are golden opportunities to network, gather insights, and even get noticed by hiring managers. Plus, it’s a chance to learn new skills that you can show off in your application for the trainee role!
✨Show Off Your Skills in the Real World
If you’ve got any projects or case studies related to digital learning, don’t keep them hidden! Create a portfolio or even a blog where you discuss your learnings and share your insights. This will give us at Cottenham Village College a peek at your creativity and dedication when considering you for the trainee position.
✨Utilise University Resources
If you're still in uni or just graduated, check out your university's career services. They often have exclusive internships or placements with companies like Cottenham Village College. They can help connect you with opportunities that might not be on the broader job market yet.
We think you need these skills to ace Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship - Art in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Passion for Education Technology:When you're applying for a trainee role in digital learning and education, we want to see your enthusiasm! Include any relevant coursework, volunteer experiences, or side projects that highlight your interest and commitment to enhancing education through technology. This could be anything from developing a learning app to participating in online educational forums.
Tailor Your CV for the Digital Learning World:Make sure your CV stands out by showcasing any skills that relate directly to digital learning. Are you familiar with e-learning platforms? Have you created educational content or taught online? These are golden nuggets we’re looking for, so don’t shy away from diving into those experiences. Also, mentioning any relevant digital certifications or courses can give us an extra boost of confidence in your potential!
Craft a Cover Letter That Reflects Your Learning Journey:In your cover letter, focus on your desire to grow and learn in this exciting field. Share why a trainee role at Cottenham Village College excites you and how it fits into your future goals. Let us know why you're eager to dive into the world of digital learning and education and what specific skills you hope to develop.
Highlight Collaboration Experience:Since digital learning often involves teamwork, make sure to highlight any collaborative projects or experiences you've had. Whether it was group assignments at university or participation in online learning communities, showcasing your ability to work well with others in a digital context can really make a difference. We're all about building a supportive learning environment here at Cottenham Village College!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cottenham Village College
✨Show Your Passion for Digital Learning
When discussing your interest in the digital-learning-education field, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or experiences you've had, whether that’s creating online resources, volunteering in educational tech, or even personal projects. We want to see your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that dive into various digital learning tools and platforms, such as Learning Management Systems (LMS) or educational software. Familiarise yourself with the key features of these tools beforehand, so you can confidently discuss how you've used them or how you would in your trainee role with Cottenham Village College.
✨Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn
As this is a trainee position, highlight your eagerness to absorb knowledge and grow within the role. Talk about specific skills you’re hoping to develop, whether that's mastering new educational technologies or improving your instructional design capabilities. This helps us see you as a long-term asset!
✨Bring a Portfolio of Ideas
Although it’s a trainee role, consider putting together a small portfolio that showcases your ideas for digital learning projects or improvements. This could include concepts you've thought about or research on current trends in education technology that excite you. It’s a great way to stand out and demonstrate your creativity!
