Part-Time Art Teacher

Introduction

Sutton Valence is an independent, HMC co-educational day and boarding school situated in the heart of Kent for pupils aged 2-18.
At the Senior School, whilst not fiercely selective on entry, its value added statistics are impressive. For those subjects Sutton Valence offers at A Level, the School aims to be in the top 10% nationally for adding value, managing to bring out the academic potential in every pupil. Equally impressive is the breadth of education on offer, which at GCSE is tailored to each pupil’s strengths, recognising that academic achievement is only one measure of success.

From Year 7 (First Form), all our pupils work on laptops using Microsoft OneNote which acts as repository for class notes, prep and online textbooks. Pupils also make notes on their devices and store them in OneNote so teachers can mark online using digital ink or recording. It is expected that most lessons will use the device at some point although many will use a combination of paper work and device.

Individuality, confidence without arrogance and the strength of character to meet the complexities of modern living with equanimity are the hallmarks of a Sutton Valence pupil.

The Senior School’s roll is currently 570 of which 113 are boarders. Class sizes are small and the overall pupil-staff ratio of 9:1 enables Sutton Valence pupils to benefit from the close guidance and individual attention of teachers. The academic staff are all highly-qualified subject specialists with a commitment to continuing professional development.

Contained within the 100-acre site, there are dedicated games pitches, an all-weather playing surface, a sports centre, which contains a fitness suite, an all-weather athletics track and field sports arena and an indoor six-lane swimming pool.

Sutton Valence Preparatory School occupies its own site in the neighbouring village of Chart Sutton and currently has 285 pupils between the ages of 2 and 11.

The Post - A part time Art Teacher (five hours a week)

A local, well-qualified and enthusiastic teacher looking for part time is required from September 2024. The successful applicant may be a recent graduate (ideally with a PGCE) or a more experienced teacher. The person appointed would be expected to teach pupils up to GCSE Level. The preferred candidate would be a dynamic and enthusiastic graduate with a passion for the subject, keen to be part of this talented department within a forward-looking School.

Applicants should have high expectations of pupil achievement and behaviour, excellent organisational and time-management skills, and enjoy working as part of a team.

The department's teaching style is very much centred on the pupils and their individual needs, and the successful candidate should be fully committed to this aim. The ability to teach both the most academic and the less able, with equal confidence, is a primary requirement of the position.

The five periods taught will be spread over three days a week, as follows:

• Monday P3 and P5 (11.05am – 2.55pm with lunch and a free period in between);

• Tuesday P6 (3.00pm – 3.50pm);

• Thursday P1 and P3 (8.45am – 12.00pm with a break and a free period in between).

The Department - Art

Art at Sutton Valence aims to develop both core skills in areas such as drawing, painting, printing, photography and sculpture, whilst engaging pupils to think about personal expression through developing a sophisticated visual language.

The Art department is located in the village, separate to the main buildings of the School, in a large, deconsecrated chapel into which two floors have been added to make three separate levels. The middle level has two separate studios, work storage space for GCSE and A-Level pupils and a materials storeroom. There is a printing studio, with a relief roller printing machine and cylinder presses.

Every step of the way, the pupils are challenged and enriched by the positive and lively environment created in the Gulland Hall Art Centre. The teaching staff all offer a wealth of experience and unrivalled enthusiasm for the subject. Art is a real strength of the School and achievements are high; 60% achieved A*-A at A-Level in 2023 and over 80% achieved 9-7 pass rate at GCSE (A*-A). In Photography 100% of students obtained an A*-B at A-Level in 2023, and 60% achieved 9-7 pass rate at GCSE. 100% of Sixth Form pupils who have applied for higher education courses in Art have been accepted by their first choice art college.

In the First, Second and Third Forms, pupils are exposed to a wide range of experiences which give them opportunities to explore the subject and discover a variety of new techniques and ways of seeing. The aim is to provide something for everyone, whilst at the same time helping each individual to develop skills and learn new ways of ‘making’.

Art and Photography are both offered at GCSE and are two-year courses that comprise of a unit of coursework and an externally-set controlled test. Assessment is internally based with external moderation. Pupils are expected to show evidence of good drawing/photography skills to support the development of their ideas.

A level pupils will be required to produce one extended coursework unit set by the department and an examination unit set by OCR. The coursework unit, worth 60% of the total marks, will follow a theme and pupils are required to show evidence of strong visual and verbal recording, research, development of ideas and use of a variety of media. The examination unit requires pupils to respond to a topic from an examination paper and build a portfolio of work which culminates in a final piece.

Closing date: Friday 12th July 2024. We request applicants with interest to contact us as soon as possible to expedite the process and potentially to visit the School before the end of the academic year.

We welcome early applications, and we may interview candidates and appoint before the closing date.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and a declaration of medical fitness. It is an offence to apply for this role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A copy of the School’s Child Protection policy may be found on the School’s website, which all applicants are expected to read prior to interview.

Sutton Valence School is an equal opportunities employer.

Please note: we reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date.