Head of Art

SOUTH HAMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL; City Of London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious independent school in London is seeking an experienced Head of Art to lead its dynamic department. The successful candidate will be responsible for high standards in teaching and learning, contribute to school policy, and engage with students. Applicants should have strong management skills and expertise in contemporary art. The role offers competitive salaries and a vibrant school culture.

Benefits

Competitive salaries and pay progression

Professional development opportunities

Training grants for qualifications

Generous pension schemes

Life assurance benefit

Interest free loans for training and computer purchase

Cycle to Work scheme

Discount on fees for children at GDST schools

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic teacher with ability to inspire students.
• Previous teaching experience across KS3 to KS5 is essential.
• Prior management role experience (e.g., Deputy Head of Department).

Responsibilities

• Lead the Art department ensuring high standards of teaching.
• Contribute to school policy making and strategic planning.
• Teach Art to motivated students.

Skills

Inspiring teaching

Subject knowledge in contemporary art

Management experience

Job description

The role

South Hampstead High School is looking for an experienced teacher to join us as Head of Art from April or September 2026. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a lively and successful department within a school renowned for academic excellence, creative ambition and a vibrant co‑curricular life.

As Head of Art, you will take responsibility for the day‑to‑day leadership of the department, ensuring the highest standards of teaching and learning. You will also contribute to whole‑school policy making and strategic planning, while shaping the vision and direction of Art across the school. Alongside your leadership duties, you will teach Art to highly motivated, independent and inquisitive students from across the age range.

The department is committed to making Art relevant, engaging and intellectually stimulating. A lively programme of exhibitions showcases students' work throughout the school and in our dedicated gallery space. As Head of Art, you will have the opportunity to expand and develop this exciting aspect of the department’s work, strengthening its public‑facing profile while championing the exceptional creativity of our students.

About you

You will be an enthusiastic teacher with the ability to inspire and enthuse your students, helping them to discover the intricacies of the Art world. Previous teaching experience across KS3 to KS5 is essential, along with prior experience in a management role (e.g. as a Deputy Head of Department). You will also possess excellent professional and subject knowledge, including knowledge of contemporary art practice.

Art at South Hampstead High School

The Art department consists of three full‑time members of staff, two part‑time teachers and two part‑time technicians housed in our new school building, with extensive art facilities. The department consists of five studios with specialist facilities for painting, printmaking, studio photography, sculpture, textiles and ceramics. There is also a darkroom, Art library and Apple Mac computer suite.

The Art department contributes to the life of the school outside of the academic curriculum and all members of the department are involved in arranging the display of work both within the department and around the school. The highlight is the end‑of‑year exhibition that showcases work from all examination candidates and much more.

About the School

Working at South Hampstead is stimulating, challenging and fun. Located in leafy Hampstead, with the buzz of central London’s cultural life close at hand, the school is very well served by public transport and there are excellent local amenities nearby.

The school is part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools. We offer a variety of benefits, such as:

• Competitive salaries and pay progression
• Access to extensive professional development opportunities
• Training grants for qualifications
• Generous pension schemes
• Free life assurance benefit
• Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
• A Cycle to Work scheme
• Competitive terms and conditions of employment
• A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools

To find out more and to apply, please click the apply button.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 2nd December 2025 at 9am.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and suitable candidates may be invited to interview before the published interview date.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the position or if an offer is made and accepted.

The school may also conduct online searches (including publicly available social media searches) as part of our recruitment processes.

The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and child protection screening will apply to this post.