Head of Art at Ernulf Academy

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JOIN OUR MISSION TO BE ONE OF THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY! Ernulf Academy is building a team of exceptional and highly skilled leaders, committed to driving excellence and continuous improvement across our school. Last year, we improved outcomes by over 10% across multiple measures, and our ambition is to build on this success again this year. We believe in disruption-free learning, a warm/strict approach to behaviour, and we support our staff with a robust behaviour policy.

As Head of Art, you will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the quality of education, culture and outcomes within the Art department. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and wider curriculum colleagues, you will lead on ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, curriculum design and student outcomes across Art. You will be a highly visible and respected leader, fostering a scholarly and creative culture grounded in high expectations, strong relationships and consistent systems. Through data-informed decision-making, ambitious curriculum planning and targeted intervention, you will ensure all scholars are supported to achieve excellence in Art. This role is ideal for a driven and resilient leader who upholds the highest professional standards, models Astrea values and is committed to securing exceptional outcomes for young people. This role is suitable for an ambitious and resilient teacher ready to take the next step in their career or an experienced middle leader.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Art curriculum, ensuring it is ambitious, well-sequenced and drives strong student outcomes.
• Line manage, coach and support Art staff, ensuring consistently high-quality teaching and professional development.
• Monitor student progress using data, implementing timely interventions to secure achievement for all learners.
• Plan and deliver engaging, high-quality teaching across Key Stages, modelling excellent classroom practice.
• Establish a disciplined, disruption-free learning environment with high expectations for behaviour and attitudes.
• Oversee assessment, marking and feedback within the department to ensure consistency and impact.
• Promote a culture of creativity, scholarship and pride in Art through displays, enrichment and wider opportunities.
• Contribute to whole-school improvement priorities and collaborate effectively with senior leaders and colleagues.

Accountable for

• Leading an ambitious Art curriculum - Ensure a well-sequenced, knowledge-rich curriculum that drives strong outcomes and progress.
• Driving high-quality teaching and learning - Support and challenge staff to deliver consistently excellent lessons with high expectations.
• Securing strong student outcomes - Use data to monitor performance, address gaps and implement targeted interventions.
• Promoting a culture of high expectations and creativity - Create a disciplined, disruption-free environment that celebrates creativity and achievement.

Why Join Us

This is a fantastic time to join TEAM ERNULF on our turnaround journey. We are on a RAPID MISSION to turn our school into one of the BEST in the country! When the current leadership took over, in September 2024, Ernulf had NEVER received an Ofsted 'Good' in ANY category. In January 2025, after just one term, Ofsted rated us 'Good' in ALL categories. Then, in the 2025 summer exams, we improved by over 10% in multiple metrics. If our rapid improvement and ambition EXCITE you, then join us to disrupt disadvantage by transforming the education of our pupils. We are within an hour's commute of North London, Norfolk, Grantham and Rugby.

We believe in keeping things simple. Our mantra is: WORK HARD, BE KIND. We don't just want children to attain incredible academic outcomes; we also want to help them become great people.

Work Hard

Team Ernulf don't believe in fads. We know the biggest factor in a child's achievement is how hard they work. That is why we have sky high expectations. We have simple rules, centralised detentions, and we back our teachers - so that our classrooms are disruption-free. We do this to support our children who want to work hard and do well. A knowledge-rich curriculum, built on 'powerful knowledge', underpins our teaching and learning principles. We offer a traditional approach to teaching, following evidence-based research by Rosenshine. Our pedagogy is influenced by Teach Like A Champion (TLAC). Stimulating lessons are delivered by teachers, who we back as the expert in the room.

Be Kind

Team Ernulf is WWF: warm, welcoming, and friendly. We pride ourselves on having a family atmosphere. We teach our pupils empathy and respect and have zero tolerance to bullying. A scholarly approach is at our core, but teaching pupils to be polite, considerate, and caring is just as important. Our world-class enrichment programme takes learning beyond the classroom. In Autumn term 2024 alone, children visited Cambridge University, The British Museum, The National Gallery, RAF Hendon, Kenilworth Castle, and were on Channel 5 and BBC radio!! As well as this, every week KS3 children have the opportunity to take part in electives such as British sign language, clubbercise, building a robotic arm, chess, girls cricket, and many more!

What We Offer

• A knowledge-rich curriculum, built on 'powerful knowledge' and a traditional teaching and learning approach inspired by Rosenshine and TLAC.
• Collaborative planning with centralised, shared units of work and resources.
• Disruption-free learning and a warm/strict behaviour system, including centralised detentions.
• We back our teachers!
• Pay above the national scales!
• 8 INSET days per year!
• Whole-class feedback over marking to reduce workload and increase impact!

Benefits

• Health Support: Access to AXA's 24/7 health support line for medical advice.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Salary sacrifice deduction for bicycles and cycling accessories.
• Discounts and Savings: Access to the Blue Light Card and Costco membership.
• Enhanced Family Leave: Paid leave to support our people when they need it the most.
• Optical Care: Financial contribution to optical care for habitual DSE users.
• Life Assurance: Peace of mind for our people and their families.
• Employee Support: Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Discounted Gym Membership: Available at The Gym Group with 245 locations nationwide.
• Pension Scheme: Access to the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
• Professional Development: Continued professional development and training opportunities.
• Convenience: Free on-site parking.

Interested in Applying

If you are passionate about education, looking for a fresh opportunity, or simply want to make a positive impact, we would love to hear from you. Take a look at the job description and candidate pack to find out more about the role and how to apply. If you want to discuss this role in greater detail or visit the school please get in touch with Sarah McCormick at sarah.mccormick@astreaernulf.org.

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!