Teacher of Art

The Department

The Art Department consists of two full time and two part time Art teachers, one part time DT teacher, an Artist in Residence and two technicians who form a close-knit team sharing ideas and resources freely. Communication, adaptability, hard work and a good sense of humour are fundamental to the department’s success.

The Art department at Magdalen College School is a busy, vibrant and stimulating area with many pupils choosing to spend a significant amount of time during lunch break and after school working on the development of their projects. We also provide many opportunities for enrichment through photography and scholarship clubs; the weekly life drawing class; trips and visiting artist workshops; the Arts Festival; and entries into local and national competitions. Art is a popular and successful subject and teaching takes place in a suite of four well-lit studios, a darkroom, a computer suite and a DT lab, which are all equipped with interactive screens that wirelessly mirror the teacher’s Microsoft Surface.

Academic standards are high. In 2023, 77% of GCSE grades were 9-8. At A Level, 64% were at grade A* and 91% were at grades A*-A. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of pupils choosing Art, Art History or Architecture for further education, with places being offered at Falmouth, Bournemouth, the Bartlett, the Ruskin, Cambridge, Edinburgh and UAL.

Please see the Information Pack for more information.

The Role

The school is seeking to appoint a fixed term part-time Teacher of Art from 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025 to teach bright and enthusiastic pupils. The role is in the region of 60% Full Time Equivalent across Monday to Thursday. Mondays and Wednesdays would be mornings only, Tuesday is a full day and Thursday is afternoon only. The teaching will include Art for Years 7-9 and supervision of a Lower Sixth Community Service placement (Art based). 

Please see the Information Pack for more information on the main duties.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will:

·      take a keen interest in the welfare of pupils and show clear commitment to safeguarding children;

·      be a well-qualified graduate of Art or a related discipline;

·      show clear enthusiasm for the subject;

·      teach in an engaging manner in a highly successful Art department across years 7-9;

·      support the progress of all pupils studying Theology by taking a role in departmental support, enrichment and partnerships sessions;

·      set clear expectations for pupil behaviour within an encouraging classroom environment;

·      be willing to contribute fully to other areas of school life, such as games, music, drama, CCF or other activities;

·      have excellent written and spoken communication skills;

·      have sound IT skills;

·      have the ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a wider team;

·      display a high level of attention to detail;

·      work hard to support pupil progress;

·      be willing to take part in continuing professional development;

·      respond positively to feedback.

The Teacher of Art will report to the Head of Art, and ultimately to the Master.

Application Process

Candidates should submit the “MCS Application Form for Teaching and Support Staff” which can be found on the Job Vacancy link of the website (www.mcsoxford.org). To access Click here. To apply for the position please send the following two documents to the Recruitment Officer, Miss Yelena Molcanova (recruitment@mcsoxford.org).

1. “MCS Application Form for Teaching and Support Staff” Form
2. CV (Curriculum Vitae)

All documentation should be sent no later than Monday 22 July, at midday. The school’s preferred method of communication is by email and it will not be necessary to send a hard copy of the documents by post.

References may be taken up in advance. If you do not wish references to be called for at this stage, please make that clear on the reference section of the application form.

We anticipate holding interviews on Wednesday 24th July. We will be in contact with shortlisted candidates by telephone. Please be aware that all shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete a “Self-Disclosure” form before attending their interview.

Equal Opportunities

Magdalen College School recognises and is committed to ensuring applicants and employees from all sections of the community are treated equally regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marital and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding Policy

Magdalen College School is committed to the safeguarding of pupils, and any offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure, the receipt of satisfactory references, the school’s pre-employment medical questionnaire, plus sight of relevant original ID documentation and degree certificate(s). This role will be in regulated activity and will require a children’s barred list check as well as an enhanced DBS check. The enhanced DBS check is due to this role being exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Remuneration and other benefits

MCS currently has its own salary scale, and salaries are more generous than those in the maintained sector; there is also a relocation allowance on a sliding scale, by agreement with the Master and Bursar, and dependent on current location. The school also operates a cycle to work scheme, and travel loans are available. MCS offers teaching staff a choice of pension arrangements; a Defined Contribution scheme with an employer contribution of 23.68% or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme with a salary sacrifice arrangement. Staff may move between the two schemes as suits their needs. The Master will discuss the pension with any offer of appointment.

Head to mcsoxford.org/vacancies to find out more.