Art Instructor

Outcomes First Group; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Flexible Benefits (Vista)

Discounts (UK & international)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Job summary

Outcomes First Group is seeking a passionate Art Instructor for Abbey Gardens, a brand-new specialist school in Bury St Edmunds. You will deliver engaging Art, Creative Arts and Design Tech activities for students aged 11-16 with SEMH needs, supporting their confidence and life skills.

You will work within a supportive multidisciplinary team, adapt activities to individual needs, and help create a nurturing, inclusive learning environment that promotes safeguarding and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Passion for art and creativity with ability to engage diverse learners.
• Experience in art, design, or related creative fields.
• Ability to support students with varied needs and build confidence.

Responsibilities

• Deliver creative Art, Creative Arts and DT sessions to individuals and small groups.
• Support students to build confidence, independence, communication and self-regulation skills.
• Create inspiring learning environments that encourage creativity and participation.
• Adapt learning activities to meet individual needs and abilities.
• Monitor student progress and celebrate achievements.
• Support Food Technology sessions when required.
• Work with families and professionals to support student success.
• Contribute to a positive, safe and inclusive school culture.

Skills

Creative

Art

Design

Youth work

Community arts

Vocational education

Job description

We're looking for a passionate and creative Art Instructor to deliver engaging, practical learning experiences that inspire students to express themselves, build confidence and develop valuable life skills. Working within a specialist education setting, you'll support students through a range of creative activities including Art, Creative Arts, Design Technology and occasional Food Technology. Using your creativity, patience and enthusiasm, you'll help students engage with learning, develop new skills and achieve positive outcomes both in and beyond the classroom. This is an ideal opportunity for someone with a background in art, design, creative industries, youth work, community arts or vocational education who is passionate about making a genuine difference to young people's lives.

• Deliver creative, engaging Art, Creative Arts and DT sessions to individuals and small groups.
• Support students to build confidence, independence, communication and self-regulation skills.
• Create inspiring learning environments that encourage creativity and participation.
• Adapt learning activities to meet individual needs and abilities.
• Monitor student progress and celebrate achievements.
• Support Food Technology sessions when required.
• Work closely with colleagues, families and wider professionals to support student success.
• Contribute to a positive, safe and inclusive school culture. Passionate about art, creativity and helping young people succeed.
• Experience in art, design, creative industries, youth work, community arts, education or a related field.
• Able to engage, motivate and inspire students with diverse needs.
• Creative, adaptable and enthusiastic in your approach.
• Calm, resilient and confident in supporting behaviour positively.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting student wellbeing.
• Works well as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team.
• Full driving licence required. Abbey Gardens is a brand-new specialist school, part of Acorn Education, supporting young people aged 11-16 with SEMH needs. Opened in June 2026, we provide a nurturing, inclusive environment where every student is supported to thrive.

Our personalised curriculum builds on the National Curriculum while being adapted to each student's individual needs, strengths and aspirations. We combine academic learning with personal development, helping students build confidence, resilience, independence and essential life skills. As the school grows, our curriculum will remain relevant, engaging and purposeful, with Key Stage 3 and 4 pathways offering recognised accreditation wherever possible. Our aim is simple: to help every young person overcome barriers, experience success and build a positive future. At Outcomes First Schools, we provide specialist education for learners who need a deeper level of understanding, expertise and support than mainstream education can typically offer. We support students with a wide range of complex, co-occurring and neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, speech and communication needs, dyslexia and experiences of trauma or adversity. We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running. We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• \"Your Wellbeing Matters\" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support