Senior Art Technician

Epsom College is an inspiring place to work, renowned for its excellent all-round education. Founded in 1855 on the principles of ‘benevolence and excellence’ kindness and community are at the heart of everything we do. Awarded ‘Independent School of the Year’, we educate 1,100 girls and boys aged 11-18.

The College has grown significantly in the past six years, with pupil numbers rising 38% since the opening of our Lower School in 2016. We admit pupils into Years 7, 9, and 12, and each year around 220 new children join our community, with an average of five pupils applying for every space.

Our focus on delivering an all-round education, that develops the whole child, is regularly celebrated. In the past four years, in both the TES and Independent School of the Year Awards, we have been a finalist in the categories of Boarding School of The Year, Co-Ed School of the Year, SLT of the Year, Creativity in Teaching, Student Wellbeing, Community Initiative, and Sporting Achievement. In 2022 we were voted the overall winner at the Independent School of the Year Awards.

Most importantly, Epsom is a happy school. Almost all our pupils remain with us for their A-levels, and staff retention is equally strong. Around 60% of staff live onsite, which lends the College a real sense of community and togetherness.

We hope that you will want to come and join the fantastic teachers and support staff who work here.

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 to support all members of the Art School, (drawing and painting, photography, ceramics, 3D, printmaking and textiles), in practical preparation for classes, undertaking all reasonable tasks as requested.
• Supervising Assistant Art Technician and offering guidance, support and direction.
• Liaising with Art staff and setting up of lesson materials and assisting staff as required.
• To operate, load, and unload the department’s Kilns.
• To prepare and stretch canvases and screens for screen-printing.
• Maintain inventory and stock records.
• Stocking art studios and tidying away daily.
• To ensure all equipment and tools are stored securely after use
• To mount and display work in the Art School and around the College.
• To take responsibility for the overall management of Art School resources, auditing them and ordering materials, equipment and stationery as necessary.
• Collecting materials from local suppliers from time to time.
• To maintain the day to day requirements of ITC/reprographic equipment and advise staff and students in the Art School.
• To liaise with support staff, cleaning staff, Facilities management and the Estate Manager regarding necessary minor maintenance concerns.
• To advise on Health and Safety legislation and maintain and update procedures.
• To review and update COSHH and Risk assessments.
• To carry out responsibilities in line with safeguarding protocols and procedures.
• Inputting and use of IT systems.
• Attend departmental meetings when required.
• General ad hoc duties in supporting the art department on a day to day basis.

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.

Essential

• A keen interest in art and art materials;
• Educated to Art GCSE 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;
• Supervision skills and able to motivate, guide and mentor Art Technician.
• Evidence of a good working knowledge of IT software;
• Provide evidence of team working skills;• An understanding and appreciation of safeguarding within a school environment and 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

• A higher-level qualification in Art (Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Fine Art), Textiles or Ceramics;
• 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.

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

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

Hours: 40 hours per week 8am – 4pm Monday – Friday including Inset days (34 weeks) 69% FTE. Plus 2 weeks (40 hours per week) during the school holiday periods the times of working to be agreed with HoD. Some flexibility of hours will be required in order to meet the needs of the pupils timetable, department examination, timetable and school events.

Salary: £23,520 per annum based on the above working hours (40 hours per week/36 weeks per year) which includes holiday pay entitlement.

Holidays: Statutory holiday entitlement provided and to be taken during College’s holiday published
dates. The above salary includes an allowance for holiday.

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 Cover: 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 the employee.
Health Care Plan: Offered to staff subject to qualifying conditions.
School Fee discount: subject to qualifying conditions, a generous school fee discount offered to staff.
Dining Facilities and Refreshments: Whilst at work a free meal and refreshments are available when the dining room is open.
Health Fitness and Wellbeing: Free use of 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 a computer loan scheme

In compliance with statutory safer recruitment 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 platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants 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.

Applicants are required to complete the Application for Employment Form available from our website www.epsomcollege.org.uk. To comply with safeguarding procedures when working in a school, CVs cannot be accepted. Applicants should refer to the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure and the safeguarding policies on the College website.

Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews and subsequent offer of employment may occur at any stage after applications are received. We invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Head of Art Nikolas.Arvanitis@epsomcollege.org.uk for an informal chat further.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as part of the selection process an enhanced Disclosure and barring check will be required. Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Closing date 9am 16th May 2025