Fine Art & Design Educator — Years 7–13

The Art and Design Faculty is a team of eight teachers and two technicians who enjoy working collaboratively to deliver an outstanding education across Fine Art, Photography, Three-Dimensional Design and Textile Design. Each subject has its own identity and Head of Department, and colleagues come together delivering lessons across multiple specialisms with our technician team supporting each area.

The Teacher of Art and Design will be expected to teach across Years 7 to 13 in Fine Art. Teaching at least one other specialism in the Faculty is highly desirable. In Years 7 to 9, each of the four specialisms are taught in a carousel before pupils opt for the GCSE or A Level in later years. We teach the AQA specification for each of the Art and Design qualifications at GCSE and A Level. We have a series of well-equipped specialist facilities to support outstanding teaching and learning. Each subject has teaching groups at GCSE and A Level each year with significant uptake. Pupils who take the subject to A Level are often in pursuit of a degree in a related field in Art and Design.

Teaching Fine Art at Forest presents an opportunity for the postholder to provide expert guidance to our highly capable and sparky pupils on routes to post-18 study. As one of the largest day schools in HMC, Forest abounds with opportunities for professional and career development. Teachers at Forest are rarely just confined to their subject area and the majority play a full and active role in Forest’s enviable super-curricular and co-curricular programme, with opportunities to lead in clubs and activities as diverse as Model United Nations, Extended Project Qualification, Chapel Choir, Music Technology and Cricket, to give but a few examples.

The ambition, richness, and distinct nature of the integrated curriculum at Forest offers our staff with an unparalleled experience of a modern and holistic education in our beautiful London setting. As our Good Schools Guide Review (2023) suggests Forest is a ‘flourishing, successful and well-led school in a glorious, green setting with consistently strong results that don’t require pupils to sacrifice happiness or wellbeing on the way to achieving them… an education that’s so genuinely rounded you could make hoops from it.’

Forest invests heavily in the development of pedagogy and teaching strategy, with all teachers expected to engage in an ambitious Professional Learning Programme which includes seminars and contact with leading minds in the teaching and learning space; most recently, Forest welcomed Tom Sherrington who presented on curriculum strategy and design. In addition, we are immensely proud of our culture of formative, ongoing and developmental peer observation through our Teaching and Learning Communities.

If you relish the opportunity of making a real impact within a highly successful and ambitious school, then we look forward to hearing from you.

Why work at Forest?

There are many benefits of working at Forest school as staff are our single most important asset. Key benefits include:

• Generous CPD budget
• Comprehensive Professional Development Review system
• Opportunities to contribute to the wider community via our extensive Outreach Programme
• Free hot lunch (takeaway sandwich lunch also available) and refreshments throughout the day
• 20% fee remission (pro-rata for part time staff) for children attending Forest which is applicable Y3-Y13
• Subsidised membership to the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre
• Membership of the School's Group Life Assurance scheme and Personal Accident Scheme
• Contribution towards private medical insurance fees
• Membership of a pension scheme

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, so early applications are encouraged. Forest School reserves the right to make appointments at any stage. Please note that if you have previously applied for this position and were not successful, your application will only be reconsidered if there have been significant changes to your qualifications, or skills that align more closely with the person specification.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer. Safeguarding checks will be undertaken on all successful candidates in accordance with School policy. The safeguarding responsibilities of the post can be found in this job description and person specification.

NB The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.