Head of Art, Photography and Design & Technology

An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and ambitious teacher to lead the development and delivery of Art, Photography and Design & Technology.

Buckler’s Mead Academy is a successful, inclusive academy in the east of Yeovil, close to the Dorset border. Since September 2021, we have been part of the Midsomer Norton Schools’ Partnership – a highly successful Multi Academy Trust, often considered the ‘market leader’ in the South West for school improvement.

Having achieved the best results in the school’s history in summer 2023, Buckler’s Mead Academy is going from strength to strength. As part of this development we wish to appoint an experienced teacher with a passion for Art and Design & Technology based subjects to lead the department from September 2024 (or earlier by negotiation).

Art and Technology subjects are very popular and we welcome interest from applicants with a wide range of backgrounds and subject specialisms, including Art and Photography, Textiles, 3D Product Design, Resistant Materials or Engineering. The successful candidate will ensure the continuation of high quality, engaging teaching which promotes a love of Art and Technology subjects. They will have a passion and drive to ensure all students engage in a broad and balanced curriculum. We are looking for knowledgeable candidates who share our vision and values and will create a strategic, ambitious vision for the development and growth of the department, and take swift and effective steps to bring it to fruition.

The successful candidate should be:

• Hard working and fully committed to the ethos of the academy.

• Confident in teaching Art, Photography or Design & Technology subjects at KS3 and KS4.

• Enthusiastic and willing to try new ideas, taking responsibility for new initiatives.

• Keen to support the teaching of excellence by improving student outcomes.

• Someone with sky high expectations of students, whilst fully appreciating the need to provide encouragement and support to students of all abilities.

• Capable of working with staff from all areas of the academy, external agencies and partner schools.

• Interested in continuing professional development.

Please see accompanying Job Description for further details of the duties and responsibilities of this post.

In return we can offer you the opportunity to work with motivated students, the full support of a dedicated and committed team of staff, a supportive induction programme and ongoing professional development, plus the opportunity to work in a developing academy in a beautiful area of the South West. Staff benefits include free on-site parking, membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and access for all staff to the Employee Assistance Programme “Health Assured”, which is a telephone based advice, information and counselling service. A selection of meals, snacks and drinks is available for staff to purchase at lunch and break times.

We seek to significantly invest in developing all of our staff. This has been strengthened by our work with Trust partners and the successful candidate will benefit from trust wide opportunities, CPD and working with colleagues across trust schools. Our vision as an academy is “an inspiring education for all”. We believe that all members of our community should be given the opportunity to be happy, to achieve, participate and become successful. Our job as professionals is to ensure this happens. All our staff sign up to these aspirations and play a full role in contributing to this vision through inclusive teaching. We seek to recruit dedicated and talented staff, highly committed to making a difference.

The academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to references and a full Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note that we may carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates as part of our Safer Recruitment and Due Diligence checks. Buckler’s Mead Academy is an equal opportunities employer. The campus is a no smoking site.

If you think this could be the role for you, we would love to hear from you. Applications should be sent for the attention of Mr Mark Lawrence, Headteacher and should include details of your current experience and suitability for the role.

Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 13 May 2024 (9.00 am)

(We review all applications on receipt and reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier if we receive sufficient applications)