Assistant Art Technician

The John Piper Art School was named in 1990 after the prominent Artist who was an Old Epsomian; other OEs include Graham Sutherland and John Wells. Art is a popular subject and many of our Art students go on to study and work in the visual arts and architecture. We aim to encourage our pupils to develop their creative thinking and practice, so that they are aware of the diversity of Art and the possibilities that it offers, both as an exam subject and in terms of future employment. The Art School provides a lively and creative learning environment in which pupils are encouraged to explore the breadth of Fine Art, employing a wide range of materials and techniques, learning to handle them with expertise and confidence, developing fluency as they progress through the Art School.

The Art School is in a generous, four-storey building, with views over the College grounds. Studios are spacious and well equipped.

All pupils take Art as they enter the College, either at Year 7 or Year 9. Our commitment to drawing is central to all practice. As a core skill it is developed through painting, mixed media, printmaking, and sculpture. This continues through GCSE, drawing is extended through working in a range of disciplines, as the requirements of the GCSE Assessment Objectives are covered. The course is diverse and demanding, both practically and academically.

• To work under the direction of the Head of Art and Senior Art Technician, to support all members of the Art School, (drawing and painting, photography, ceramics, 3D, printmaking and textiles and screen-printing), in practical preparation for classes, working as a teaching assistant when necessary;
• Under the direction of the Senior Art Technician, liaising with Art staff, and setting up of lesson materials and assisting staff as required;
• As requested by the Senior Art Technician, stock the art studios and tidy away on a daily basis, ensuring that all equipment and tools are stored securely after use;
• To assist with the mounting and display of work in the Art School and around the College as directed by the Head of Art and Senior Art Technician;
• To assist with the management of Art School resources, auditing them and ordering materials, equipment and stationery as necessary;
• As requested, collect materials from local suppliers from time to time;
• Attend departmental meetings as and when required and assist with Workshops and Gallery visits;
• To undertake any reasonable task as directed by the Head of Art or Senior Art Technician.

All employees must be aware of the responsibility placed on them under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment.

No job description can fully cover all aspects of the role and consequently the responsibilities are likely to evolve and change over time. This description gives an overall view of the position.

Essential

• A keen interest in art;
• Educated to Art A Level or higher;
• Demonstrate evidence of strong communications skills;
• Evidence of strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently, with a highly proactive, flexible and positive approach to all duties and responsibilities;
• Evidence of a good working knowledge of IT software;
• Provide evidence of team working skills;
• A commitment to safeguarding principles and complying with protocols;
• An understanding and appreciation of health and safety procedures;
• High level emotional intelligence with a sense of humour and an enabling attitude;
• Demonstrate a professional attitude and represent the values of the school.

Desirable

• Knowledge of materials and equipment; especially experience of sculpture, model making, woodwork or other 3D disciplines;
• A higher-level art qualification and/or artistic experience;
• Experience of working in an academic environment;
• Experience/knowledge of working in a supporting art role or within an art department would be desirable;
• Experience of working with young people aged 11-18.

In order to arrive at a decision the selection panel may enhance any or all of the desirable criteria.

Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Hours:                       

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 09:00 to 18:00 and on Saturdays from 08:30 to 12:30 (22 hours). including Inset days (34 weeks).

Some flexibility of hours will be required in order to meet the needs of the pupils timetable, department examination, timetable and school events.

Salary:                                 

£11,207 per annum inclusive of holiday entitlement based on the above working arrangement.

Holidays: 

The holiday entitlement is 28 days holiday per annum inclusive of bank holidays increasing by 1 day per annum up to a maximum of 33 days per annum inclusive of bank holidays following 5 years continuous service and pro rated for part time/TTO working. Holiday entitlement has been included in the above salary.

Pension:                             

The College operates the Epsom College Automatic Enrolment Scheme. The Scheme is administered by the Pensions Trust.  Eligibility is based on statutory criteria.  If eligible, the Employee will be required to contribute a minimum of 5% of Basic Salary and the College will contribute 4% in compliance with current legislation

Life Assurance: Members who are automatically enrolled or who choose to opt into the College Pension Scheme will be provided with life assurance cover at two x contractual annual basic salary at no cost to employee.

School Fee Discount: subject to qualifying period/conditions generous school fee discount is offered.

Health Care plan: Offered to staff subject to qualifying conditions

Dining Facilities and Refreshments

Whilst at work a free meal and refreshments are available when the dining room is open

Employee Assistance Programme: including confidential counselling service for employees and family members

Health Fitness and Wellbeing

Free membership to the Fitness suite and swimming pool are available to staff at certain times

Cycle to Work/Parking

Subject to qualifying conditions, the College offers a cycle to work loan scheme

Free car parking for staff is available on campus

Computer Loan

Subject to qualifying conditions, the College offers an interest free computer loan scheme

In compliance with statutory safeguarding regulations, the post will be offered subject to receipt of satisfactory written references, pre-placement medical assessment, proof of appropriate qualifications, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if appropriate, as well as confirmation that the successful candidate is able to work in the UK.  Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and accessible platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on candidates that have been shortlisted.  Please note whilst the Enhanced DBS check will be paid by the College if an overseas police check is required it will be at the cost of the successful applicant.

Application form can be downloaded from the website https://www.epsomcollege.org.uk/about-us/careers/  Applicants should refer to the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure policy on the College website.  To comply with statutory safer recruitment regulations when working within a school environment CV’s cannot be accepted.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as part of the selection process an enhanced check by the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required