Job Description

Downside School

Somerset

Salary:

Competitive pay scale

Job type:

Part Time, Fixed Term

Start date:

07 January 2026

Apply by:

9 October 2025

Job overview

----------------

Teacher of Art Part-time

Start Date: January 2026 - June 2026

Downside School has a vacancy for part-time Art Teacher for 12 x 35-minute periods over a 2-week timetable. The 12 periods will be delivered over 2 days one week and one day the following week. Ideally, the successful candidate will be available to start from January 2026.

The Art Department is part of the Art and Design Faculty, which includes Art and Design Technology as taught subjects, plus a wide range of associated activities. Fine Art is offered for GCSE and A Level, there is a broad approach which can include painting and drawing in a variety of media, illustration, sculpture in clay, wood and metal, printmaking including mono, screen, etching, lino, film, and installations.

As an experienced Teacher, you will be expected to teach across these specialisms and the full age and ability range up to GCSE and A level.

Our recent ISI report speaks extremely positively of the School and clearly highlights that the well-being of pupils is our top priority. As a boarding School, all our Teachers engage fully in co-curricular activities and the boarding life of the School.

We are looking for someone who:

Demonstrates excellent subject knowledge and a passion for Art. Has an ability to teach up to and including A Level Art. Will engender an atmosphere within lessons which is conducive to active learning and encourage pupils to learn collaboratively. Is dynamic, creative, and inspirational. Will be committed to their own professional development. Will embrace our Benedictine Catholic ethos.
We can offer:

a competitive pay scale. a free employee assistance programme. a supportive, skilled, and innovative staff team. an inspiring, intellectually rewarding work environment. pupils with highly developed social skills and self-confidence. plenty of opportunities for CPD, and pastoral and wider-curricular involvement. an excellent catering facility, which offers all our staff a complimentary lunch. complimentary access to onsite leisure facilities including indoor swimming pool, gym, and squash courts.
Closing date for applications: Thursday, 9 October 2025 at 1pm.

However, please note that applications may be considered, interviewed, and offered prior to this date, so an early application is encouraged.

Interviews are likely to be held on Thursday 16th October 2025, but may take place earlier if needed.

To Apply

For further information please visit our website at Working at Downside - Downside School where you can download full details of the role.


Please complete your application through our applicant tracking system, using the apply button. CVs are not accepted.

Applications must be completed in full to include full employment history, education history and contact details for referees for current and most recent employer.


Alternatively, you can call us on 01761 235100 or email hr@downside.co.uk to request an application form.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Recruiter contact:

----------------------

Email us

Call us

About

Downside School

-----------------------------

Downside School

Stratton On The Fosse, Radstock, Bath
Somerset
BA3 4RJ
United Kingdom

+44 1761 235100

A clear and positive attitude to learning permeates the whole school, enabled by excellent relationships between staff and pupils' and that our pupils are 'enthusiastic and highly motivated learners, able to work independently'. Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)



At Downside, we are committed to working in partnership with families and to providing an environment which nurtures young people of integrity who can think for themselves, stand up for their beliefs, and act to make a positive difference in the world.



Founded in 1606 and based just 25 minutes from the famous World Heritage City of Bath, we are a forward-thinking independent school and one of England's oldest and most distinguished Catholic schools. Our vision is to be a bright light in the world of education, illuminating the lives of young people and inspiring service in the world through experience of Benedictine culture. It enables pupils and staff to develop their own identity through experience of a community with Christ as its centre.



The School is set in 500 acres of beautiful English countryside with extensive facilities including an indoor swimming pool, a Mac Suite dedicated to music, a 24/7 Health Centre, and a Performing Arts Centre housing a 400-seat Theatre, a Recording Studio and a print screen room for art.



We are uncompromising in the pursuit of academic excellence. We aim for the highest standards in our extensive and exciting co-curricular programme with over 70 activities, and we provide plentiful and varied opportunities for service and leadership.



The School endeavours, in addition, to provide our pupils with what may be referred to as a sense of 'the poetry of life', a sense of its beauty, form, mystery and joy. Everyone who comes here remarks on the happy atmosphere. It is truly a remarkable, inspiring place.

Please visit our website to find out more about our School: www.downside.co.uk/working-with-us

TEACHING AT DOWNSIDE

We are committed to high academic standards and constant development of the quality of teaching and learning. We have a Quality Assurance cycle, which allows us to monitor the quality of teaching and learning through lesson observations, learning walks and pupil feedback. Our tracking and monitoring systems are rigorous so that all pupils are supported in their learning, and colleagues are supported in their teaching.



Working at Downside is a truly rewarding experience. In keeping with our Benedictine ethos, Downside is a welcoming, caring community where each person is valued. Pupils are highly motivated, keen to learn and respectful of staff and their peers.



Our Induction Programme is comprehensive and fully supportive of all new staff, including the provision of training, where necessary. We are keen to support ambitious teachers, and CPD opportunities for individuals are identified in Faculty Development Plans and prioritised. Downside School is a member of the Canford Group, which includes most of the main independent schools in the South West. We are also closely linked with the other Benedictine Schools in England and Ireland. We expect all teachers to engage fully in co-curricular activities and the boarding life of the school.



At Downside, staff enjoy teaching polite and well-educated pupils, unique surroundings, and benefit from a generous salary scale, complimentary lunch and extended School holidays. Although it is difficult to quantify the hours which any individual teacher may devote to their work in order to carry out their professional duties in a boarding school, the following guidance may be helpful:



The School timetable is taught Monday-Saturday, with four 35 minute periods on a Saturday morning, followed by matches and activities in the afternoon. Games and activities, tutor periods, and hymn practice are incorporated into the weekly timetable. Department meetings can occur at the discretion of the Head of Faculty.



Academic timetable allocation:



Full time Teacher 15 double periods



Head of Department 14 double periods

Pastoral responsibilities

:to provide support and guidance for a tutor group (typically 12 pupils), including a daily registration period at 1.55pm, one period (35 minutes) of PSHEE (Physical, Social, Health and Economic Education) and one tutor session, PSHEE has a specific programme and is treated the same as an academic lesson. All tutors attend Hymn Practice on Friday at 16.30 and School Mass on special occasions during the working week.



Tutors are also required to undertake one evening duty a week in House from 7.00pm - 9.00pm. There may be a requirement for flexibility around tutor timings to meet the needs of the school and timings are reviewed annually in line with timetabling. Tutors also have house duties such as managing the refectory on one day a week, as agreed with the HsM.

Co-curricular responsibilities:

As a full time teacher, there is a requirement to be involved in co-curricular activities during term time e.g. CCF, service activities, games, music and academic societies. Additionally, you should participate in supporting the Saturday afternoon games programme. This may include activities and/or sport, and teachers may be asked to support a specialist coach in games lessons and be responsible for the team when they play matches.

Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow

Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy

.