Dunottar School - Teacher of Art and/or 3D Design (Fixed Term Cover Contract)

The Role

We are looking to employ an inspirational Teacher of Art and/or 3D Design on a fixed term basis from November 2024. The role is to provide cover for unplanned absence in the department and will be on a fixed term cover basis. The school will provide at least one week’s notice of the end date of the cover assignment.

Applications are invited from talented newly or well-qualified teachers. This post reports to the Director of Visual Arts and will work closely with other teaching staff in the combined Art and 3D Design department. The department is friendly, welcoming and supportive - staff are keen to share resources and embrace new ideas, aspiring to keep their teaching fresh and exciting. The department aims to stretch and challenge every pupil to realise their potential.

The Department 

Art

The Art department is ambitious and extremely successful. At GCSE pupils follow the AQA specification for Art, Craft and Design. At A-Level pupils follow the AQA specification in their chosen title. This currently includes Art, Craft and Design, and Photography. In recent years, all of our pupils applying for degree courses in the arts have been given unconditional offers which we are extremely proud of as a department. KS3 pupils are all taught in mixed ability groups and experience a broad range of practical and conceptual ideas through the taught projects in order to foster a love for and interest in the visual and creative arts.

Art is considered a core subject at Dunottar. The department encourages all pupils to explore materials, media, processes and techniques. Co-curricular involvements include KS3 Art Club for all abilities and our art scholars. GCSE and A-Level pupils have access to the art studios at lunchtime and after school and visits to galleries and places of interest are seen as a valuable part of the visual arts provision at the school.

Three-Dimensional Design (3D Design D&T) 

3D Design is taught on a rotation in KS3 in order to enthuse pupils and introduce them to the subject. The 3D Design workshop and CAD (Computer Aided Design) suite features the most up-to-date workshop machinery, tools and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) equipment, including a laser cutter and CNC router. In KS3 pupils receive an introduction to Three-Dimensional Design, develop their graphic communication skills (including the use of CAD/CAM Computer Aided Design/Manufacture), electronic textiles (e-textiles), user-centred design, design communication skills, model making and working with metals.

At Key Stage 4, pupils follow the OCR GCSE specification for Three-Dimensional Design. In Year 10, pupils spend the first two terms developing their design, CAD/CAM and practical skills, building upon their Key Stage 3 experiences, looking at product designers and architects for inspiration. After Easter, pupils will start their NEA (Non-Exam Assessment Coursework) portfolio. Previous projects have included lighting, storage, architectural design, furniture design, jewellery and product design. Pupils can use a range of materials including polymers, timber (natural and man-made), metal, plaster, concrete and glass (stained-glass and glass-fusing).

The successful candidate will share the passion for developing the work of the department and sharing good practice. They will also play an active role in the extensive and varied co-curricular programme at the School, both during the working week and some weekends.

Key Responsibilities

• Have high expectations of pupils.
• Create a stimulating and positive learning environment.
• Display a high level of knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught and communicate this enthusiastically to pupils.
• Enable pupils to acquire new knowledge and to make good progress according to their ability to increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subject being taught.
• Display evidence of well-planned lessons, and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time.
• Show a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and that these have been taken into account when planning lessons.
• Employ an excellent range of teaching strategies, high-quality resources and activities, thus enabling all pupils to fulfil their creative and academic potential.
• Maintain a strong knowledge of and commitment to safety measures in the Art and 3D Design Department.
• Ensure that marking of pupils’ work is both regular and thorough and that full records are kept in line with the Assessment, Recording and Reporting Statement.
• Ensure that pupil assessment is used to inform lesson planning so pupils can make progress, and evaluate pupil performance both in terms of the school’s stated aims and national norms.
• Use effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging pupils to act responsibly during lessons and in the wider school environment.
• Keep abreast of current thinking and development in the relevant subject area.
• Assist the Director of Visual Arts with the development and delivery of appropriate schemes of work, taking responsibility for these where necessary and where subject specialisms are required.
• Share resources and training materials with colleagues.
• Contribute to departmental activities, e.g., enrichment work, clubs, societies and trips.
• Provide or contribute to assessments, reports and references relating to individual pupils.
• Attend parents’ evenings.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings when required.
• Be involved in a House, attend House meetings and support House events.
• Take part in the co-curricular life of the school.
• Attend and support assemblies and co-curricular events e.g., concerts, plays.
• Support and contribute to school Visual Arts events, including school productions and exhibitions. 
• To undertake any other reasonable duties as required.
• Pastoral Care is the responsibility of all members of teaching staff at Dunottar, staff must:
• Contribute to the pastoral care and personal development of pupils.
• Report any pastoral concerns to the Head of Year or in serious circumstances the Deputy Head Pastoral. 
• Be fully conversant with the Child Protection policy and report any concerns or allegations to the Senior Designated Person.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the post holder may perform other duties reasonably required by the Headmaster. The School reserves the right to make an appointment at any stage during the recruitment process.