Head of Art

Head of Art

Full time

Permanent

Competitive salary plus benefits

September 2025

The role

South Hampstead High School is looking for a committed and energetic Head of Art to oversee the smooth running of our thriving Art department.

As Head of Art, you will manage the day-to-day requirements of the department to ensure a high standard of teaching and learning, as well as contribute to whole school policy making and strategic planning. You will provide inspirational leadership to members of the department, ensuring that high performance standards are achieved and maintained.

The department runs a programme of exhibitions showcasing art throughout the school and in our dedicated gallery space. You will have the chance to build on this exciting programme, helping to further promote the public side of the subject and the exceptional work of our students.

In addition to your departmental responsibilities, you will also deliver Art teaching to highly motivated, independent and inquisitive students from across the school.

About you

You will be an enthusiastic teacher with the ability to inspire and enthuse your students, helping them to discover the intricacies of the Art world. Previous teaching experience across KS3 to KS5 is essential, along with prior experience in a management role (e.g. as a Deputy Head of Department). You will also possess excellent professional and subject knowledge, including knowledge of contemporary art practice.

Art at South Hampstead High School

The Art department consists of three full-time members of staff, two part-time teachers and two part-time technicians housed in our new school building, with extensive art facilities. The department consists of five studios with specialist facilities for painting, printmaking, studio photography, sculpture, textiles and ceramics. There is also a darkroom, Art library, and Apple Mac computer suite.

The Art department contributes to the life of the school outside of the academic curriculum and all members of the department are involved in arranging the display of work both within the department and around the school. The highlight is the end of year exhibition that showcases work from all examination candidates and much more.

About the School

Working at South Hampstead is stimulating, challenging and fun. Located in leafy Hampstead, with the buzz of central London’s cultural life close at hand, the School is very well served by public transport and there are excellent local amenities nearby.

The School is part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools. We offer a variety of benefits, such as:

• Competitive salaries and pay progression

• Access to extensive professional development opportunities

• Training grants for qualifications

• Generous pension schemes

• Free life assurance benefit

• Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans

• A Cycle to Work scheme

• Competitive terms and conditions of employment

• A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools

For further details and to apply please click the apply button.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 9:00am on Monday 24th February 2025.

Interviews will take place the week commencing 3rd March 2025.

The school may also conduct online searches (including publicly available social media searches) as part of our recruitment processes.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and suitable candidates may be invited to interview before the published interview date.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the position or if an offer is made and accepted.

We recommend that applications are submitted early to avoid disappointment.

The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and child protection screening will apply to this post.