What skills and experience we're looking for We are looking to recruit an exceptional Teacher of Art for a permanent role. You will join our outstanding Sixth Form team—where innovation, ambition, and student success power everything we do. This is an incredible opportunity to make a profound, long-term difference working with a team of like-minded professionals in a department that values both technical mastery and creative curiosity. At Durham Sixth Form Centre, we don’t just deliver Art courses—we nurture tomorrow’s artists, designers, curators, and creative leaders. As an oversubscribed, "Outstanding" (Ofsted 2017) post-16 institution with results significantly above national averages, we provide a "mini-university" atmosphere where the arts are celebrated. With our purpose-built Visual Arts Centre and on-site Dead Dog Gallery, this is your opportunity to lead students through the complexities of the A Level specification and shape the future of visual inquiry in an elite creative setting. What makes this role exciting? • Deliver a dynamic creative curriculum: Lead the exploration of visual language across A Level Fine Art, A Level Art & Design, and our prestigious Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media (FADM). • Teach in a professional environment: Work within state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated theatre, digital media centre, and a visual arts centre with an ever-changing professional exhibition programme. • Inspire the next generation of creatives: Challenge highly motivated learners from across the region who are passionate about exploring diverse media and achieving academic excellence. • Bridge practice and theory: Lead outstanding teaching that moves beyond technical skill to engage with complex contemporary theory, art history, and the interrogation of visual culture. • Mentor independent portfolios: Take a lead role in guiding students through their Personal Investigations (NEA) and portfolio builds, preparing them for transition to competitive art courses and Russell Group universities. • Champion artistic engagement: Be part of a Faculty that celebrates active inquiry and enrichment, from local arts outreach programmes to high-profile collaborations with partners like Durham University. We are looking for someone who: • Is an outstanding A Level practitioner with a proven track record of securing excellent student outcomes (we also welcome applications from ambitious ECTs ready for their first specialist post). • Possesses exceptional planning and time management skills, with the ability to inspire and challenge both students and colleagues. • Brings deep subject expertise, with a passion for teaching and learning that motivates learners to develop their own evidence-based, sophisticated artistic voices. • Is committed to collaborative, evidence-informed teaching, working within the Arts & Humanities Faculty to trial new strategies for technical demonstration and literacy in the arts. • Understands how to build student confidence, preparing them for high-level progression into diverse creative and professional pathways. What the school offers its staff Why choose us? • Be a part of an Investors in People: Platinum [Employer of the Year 2025] organisation. • We are a flourishing high-performing sixth form where students achieve and exceed their potential. • Be part of a team that’s ambitious, supportive, and driven by purpose. • Benefit from personalised CPD, leadership coaching, and genuine career progression. Further details about the role Thank you for your interest in joining the Arts and Humanities Faculty at Durham Sixth Form Centre. We are a hardworking, dedicated team of specialists who pride ourselves on being at the forefront of innovative teaching and learning strategies. Our Faculty is one of the most popular in the school, offering an expansive and diverse range of subjects, from History and English to Media and Performing Arts. A Hub for Creative Excellence The Art Department is a cornerstone of our Faculty and a regional leader in creative education. As a team of dedicated creative practitioners, we maintain an established track record of outstanding practice and academic excellence. Our broad and ambitious curriculum celebrates the diversity of the subject, offering A-Levels in: Art, Craft & Design, Fine Art, Graphics, Photography, Fashion & Textiles and Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art, Design, and Media Practice. Exceptional Facilities and Advocacy We operate within a purpose-built visual arts centre on a campus that blends historical 1913 architecture with state-of-the-art innovation, creating a "mini-university" atmosphere. Our commitment to the arts is recognised by our Artsmark Platinum status from Arts Council England, which commended our advocacy for the arts as a vehicle for social mobility. Unique features of our department include: • The Dead Dog Gallery: Our on-site contemporary visual arts space which hosts a rotating calendar of professional exhibitions. • Artist-in-Residence Programme: Now in its eighth year, this programme bridges the gap between our students and the wider creative industry. • Outward-Facing Collaboration: We thrive on high-profile partnerships with organisations such as Lumiere, Durham University, and The Big Draw. Join Our Team We are looking for a colleague who is passionate about art education and committed to helping our curious, highly ambitious students reach their full potential. In return, we offer a friendly, supportive environment with a strong focus on professional growth, including personalised CPD and leadership coaching. Many of our staff are examiners, moderators, or engaged in advanced research (Masters and Doctorates), and we welcome individuals who share this commitment to continuous excellence. You should apply for this role if you want to make a difference to young people’s lives in a hardworking, ambitious post-16 school where every student really does matter. We look forward to learning more about you and potentially welcoming you to our vibrant creative community. We would strongly encourage candidates interested in this role to visit us in advance and apply early. Should you wish to discuss this role further, or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Marie Harrison Leader of Learning: Arts and Humanities marie.harrison@durhamsixthformcentre.org.uk 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 may be 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.