Teacher of Art

Downlands Community School, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8LP

12 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  15 June 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  3 June 2026

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Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
  • Suitable for early career teachers
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Subject: Art and design
• Working pattern: Full time: Full Time Teaching Contract - Monday to Friday
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: MPS/UPS

What skills and experience we're looking for

TEACHER OF ART AND DESIGN

Job Title: Teacher of Art and Design

Grade: Main Pay Range / Upper Pay Range

Contract: Full-time

Reporting to: Head of Creative Arts

Start Date: 1st September 2026

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To carry out the professional responsibilities of a teacher in accordance with the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document and the school’s policies, under the direction of the Headteacher.

ACCOUNTABLE FOR:

• The learning, progress and outcomes of pupils in allocated teaching groups, ensuring pupils make progress in line with, or exceeding, expected progress across Key Stages 3 and 4.
• Delivering departmental schemes of work, ensuring the needs of all learners are met appropriately.
• The pastoral, academic and social development of the allocated tutor group.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND TASKS

Planning, Teaching and Classroom Practice

• Teach allocated pupils through well-planned lessons that secure sustained progress and excellent learning outcomes.
• Promote and embed a ROCKS approach within subject pedagogy.
• Design engaging and inclusive lessons that inspire pupils through a range of effective teaching strategies.
• Plan lessons that secure progress for all learners through effective use of assessment for learning.
• Identify, monitor and support key pupil groups, including disadvantaged and vulnerable learners, to enable them to achieve strong outcomes.
• Set meaningful homework that consolidates and extends learning.
• Set high expectations and apply the school’s behaviour policy consistently and effectively.
• Demonstrate reflective practice and a commitment to continually improving teaching and learning.
• Ensure the effective and purposeful use of support staff within the classroom.
• Ensure the effective and efficient deployment of classroom support.
• To maintain a tidy classroom and update displays.
• To provide Extra Curricular Activities and GCSE support sessions as appropriate
• To work with visiting artists

Monitoring, Assessment, Recording and Reporting

• Monitor pupils’ work and use the REAct system to provide timely, high-quality feedback that supports progress.
• Assess and record progress systematically to inform planning and intervention, and to identify strengths and areas for development.
• Undertake assessment in line with examination board, departmental and whole-school procedures.
• Prepare and present clear, informative reports for parents in line with school policy, meeting all deadlines.

Curriculum Development

• Contribute to the whole-school improvement and development plan.
• To contribute to the Art Departments Curriculum Improvement Plan.
• Develop and refine teaching resources and support materials as required.
• To produce visual aids to promote learning.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of curriculum developments and assessment requirements.
• Attend all directed meetings and professional development activities.

Pastoral Responsibilities

• Act as a form tutor to an assigned group of pupils.
• Support the personal development, wellbeing and progress of individual pupils and the tutor group.
• Work closely with the Head of Year to implement the school’s pastoral systems effectively.
• Complete registration, accompany pupils to assemblies, and encourage full attendance and participation in school life.
• Contribute to action planning, progress tracking and reporting.
• Alert relevant staff to concerns regarding pupils and contribute to appropriate support strategies.
• Communicate effectively with parents and external agencies as appropriate, in consultation with senior staff.
• Attend relevant pastoral and team meetings.

Other Professional Responsibilities

• Work consistently within the policies, procedures and ethos of the school.
• Build positive professional relationships and set a strong example through conduct, appearance and professionalism.
• Commit to inclusive practice, ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to achieve their potential.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues to maximise the use of resources.
• Contribute to the wider life of the school, including meetings, enrichment activities and events.
• Participate in open evenings, parents’ evenings and liaison activities with partner schools as appropriate.
• Take responsibility for continuous professional development.
• Liaise with parents and governors as required.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements and report accidents appropriately.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended following discussion with the Headteacher. The post is subject to the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document and school policies.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – TEACHER OF ART AND DESIGN

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• A good degree in an Art Discipline
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• A successful teaching record (or strong evidence from training) with the ability to teach GCSE Art and Design.
• A clear philosophy of effective teaching and learning in Art education.
• Strong subject knowledge, including current National Curriculum and Key Stage 4 AQA specification.
• Knowledge of strategies to support progress for pupils of all abilities.
• Understanding of statutory safeguarding responsibilities and pupil wellbeing.

Skills and Abilities

• High-quality teaching and the ability to implement evidence based inclusive best practice, that enable all pupils to achieve,
• Ability to motivate and engage learners of all abilities.
• Skills in adaptive teaching to support SEND pupils, high attainers and identified groups.
• Strong classroom routines and behaviour management with high expectations.
• Effective assessment skills to inform planning and next steps.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with pupils, parents and colleagues.
• Confident use of IT.

Personal Qualities

• A reflective practitioner committed to professional development.
• Enthusiastic and passionate about Art and Design education.
• Actively involved in making Art and able to share this passion with pupils.
• Committed to the pastoral role and supporting pupils’ academic and social development.
• Willing to contribute to the wider life of the school and the Creative Arts Department.
• Organised, reliable and able to manage time effectively.

What the school offers its staff

Downlands Community School is a thriving, inclusive, and ambitious school committed to providing transformative opportunities that take all pupils beyond their lived experience.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an outstanding teacher to contribute to a thriving and highly successful Art Department as it continues to build on its strong reputation for excellence, creativity, and innovation.

Art is a cornerstone of the Creative Arts Faculty, working in close partnership with Drama and Music to deliver a rich and inspiring creative education. The school places significant value on the arts, recognising their vital role in developing creativity, critical thinking, confidence, and cultural awareness.

The department is committed to fostering a culture of artistic excellence and creative exploration. Students are encouraged to work with increasing independence across a diverse range of media; including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography and mixed media. The department is well equipped and includes a kiln and two printing presses.

Student artwork is celebrated throughout the school and wider community through exhibitions, competitions, and collaborative projects that showcase the exceptional talent and dedication of our young artists. Enrichment opportunities, including gallery visits, artist workshops, exhibitions, further enhance students’ creative development and provide valuable insight into the wider world of art and design.

At Key Stage 4, Art is a highly popular and successful option subject. Students follow the AQA Fine Art specification and consistently achieve outcomes that exceed national averages.

The department has a strong track record of nurturing artistic talent and inspiring students to pursue further study and careers in the creative industries. Many of our GCSE students go on to study an art subject post KS4.

The school has a very strong programme to provide professional development for teachers of all experiences and aspirations including ECT’s. For this reason, the post is suitable for an ECT or for a more experienced teacher who wishes to further their career.

Downlands is West Sussex School and uses national pay scales. The pay range for a Main Scale Teacher is point 1 (£32,916) to point 6 (£45,352). Teachers will be placed on this range according to the number of years of successful teaching experience they bring. The pay range for teachers on the Upper Pay Range is point 1 (£47,472) to point 3 (£51,048). Teachers will be placed on this range according to their current point on the range unless evidence can be produced of successful appraisal and recommendation from the current Headteacher that progression is warranted.

Applications

Visits prior to application are welcomed and encouraged.

This school and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

Shortlisted applicants will be subject to an online search. This is not part of the short-listing process itself, and you will get a chance to address any issues of concern that some up during the search, at interview.

Applications should be made on a West Sussex application form for teaching posts which can be downloaded from the school website under “Vacancies”.

Applications should be addressed to Mr M Ashdown – Headteacher, once completed, please email to: recruitment@downlands.org

Closing dates for applications is 9am on Monday 15th June 2026

Applicants who are short listed for interview should be aware that references may be taken up before interview unless it has been indicated on the application that you do not want us to contact your referees without letting you know first.

Start date: 1st September 2026

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment are subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Downlands Community School

• School type: Local authority maintained schools, Does not apply, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1250 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Downlands Community School website
• Email address: recruitment@downlands.org
• Phone number: 01273 845892
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/downlands-community-school

Downlands Community School is a thriving, 11-16, mixed, Local Authority, comprehensive school, set in a beautiful location at the foot of the South Downs and only 6 miles north of Brighton with an enviable reputation for success with pupils of all abilities and from all social backgrounds.

Downlands is a very inclusive school and we are proud of the pastoral support and guidance we are able to offer our young people.

Arranging a visit to Downlands Community School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@downlands.org.

School location

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