Teacher - Secondary School - Art and Design

Could you inspire and motivate young people to create amazing works of art and design?

You'll help students to learn about different styles and forms of visual arts and design. You'll guide and help them to find their own style and create unique pieces.

You'll teach young people from 11 to 18 years old, in state and independent schools. You might also work in a college or learning centre.

As an art and design teacher you’ll help your pupils value and develop their creativity and imagination. You’ll teach them the practical skills to express themselves by creating art in a wide variety of forms, including:

• painting

• drawing

• sculpture

• digital design

• photography

• textiles

You’ll help young people develop an appreciation of aesthetic and cultural values, identities and ideas. You can also prepare the foundations for some pupils to go on to a career in the arts.

You’ll teach students of different ages and abilities and prepare young people to take National Qualifications and Highers in this subject.

Your main tasks might include:

• preparing lessons and teaching materials

• assessing students’ progress

• setting homework

• displaying students' work in the classroom and other spaces

• discussing students' progress with parents and carers

• organising study trips, social activities, school exhibitions and art shows

You’ll encourage the students to take pride in their achievements inside and outside school. You’ll support them to build good relationships with other students and teachers and play a positive part in the life of the school and the local community.

You’ll help them to get the knowledge, skills and attributes they’ll need for a successful and positive life when they leave school.

Sometimes you'll need to deal with challenging behaviour. It may be difficult to get some students to engage so you’ll need to be imaginative and enthusiastic to keep them interested.

You’ll need to attend meetings and training courses. You’ll work closely with colleagues to plan the school’s timetables and work with other professionals such as educational psychologists and social workers.

• Teach in Scotland – become an art teacher – About teaching the arts: how to apply, studying, early career and professional development

• General Teaching Council for Scotland – Becoming a teacher, information from the professional body for teachers in Scotland

• Education Scotland – Curriculum information, and advice and resources for teachers in Scotland