Art Graduate Teacher Trainee – Salaried ITT

Location: Tooting, London Borough of Wandsworth
Salary: £28,000–£32,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Start date: ASAP
Interviews: Immediate interviews available

Are you a talented Art or Design graduate with the creativity, academic ability and ambition to become an outstanding secondary school teacher?

KPI Education is recruiting an Art Graduate Teacher Trainee for an ambitious and inclusive secondary school in Wandsworth. This is a salaried Initial Teacher Training opportunity for a high-achieving graduate who is ready to begin building a long-term career in education.

You will become a permanent member of the school community while completing a structured programme of practical classroom training. You will learn from experienced teachers, develop your teaching practice and work towards achieving Qualified Teacher Status.

What is an ITT role?

ITT stands for Initial Teacher Training. It is the professional training required to become a qualified teacher in England.

Unlike a traditional university-led course, this school-based role will allow you to train in a real secondary school while earning a salary. You will gradually assume greater teaching responsibility as your confidence and competence develop.

During the programme, you will:

• Work towards Qualified Teacher Status
• Learn how to plan and deliver effective Art lessons
• Receive guidance from an experienced subject mentor
• Observe accomplished teachers across the school
• Attend structured professional-development sessions
• Develop effective behaviour-management strategies
• Learn how to assess pupils’ work and monitor their progress
• Receive regular lesson observations, feedback and coaching
• Gain experience in another school as part of your training
• Build the knowledge and confidence required to manage your own classes

By the end of the training period, you should be equipped to progress into a qualified teaching position and continue developing your career at the school.

The school

Based in Tooting in the London Borough of Wandsworth, this ambitious boys’ secondary school serves a diverse community and combines high expectations with strong pastoral care.

The school’s values centre on ambition, perseverance and unity. Leaders are committed to creating a calm and purposeful environment in which pupils feel safe, supported and encouraged to aim high.

Pupils typically behave well and approach their studies positively. Relationships between staff and pupils are respectful, and the school promotes an inclusive culture in which young people feel confident participating, expressing ideas and learning from mistakes.

The school provides a broad and ambitious secondary curriculum. New teachers benefit from a well-structured professional-development programme, subject-specific support and regular opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues.

This is an excellent setting for an ambitious graduate who wants to train in a supportive school, contribute to a developing Art department and make a lasting difference to young people.

The Art department

Art is taught throughout Key Stage 3, with pupils able to continue the subject at GCSE.

The curriculum helps pupils develop creativity, self-expression and critical-thinking skills. Students explore formal elements such as line, shape, texture and colour while learning to experiment with a wide variety of materials, processes and artistic techniques.

Pupils develop their abilities through:

• Observational drawing
• Painting and colour theory
• Printmaking and stencil work
• Collage and mixed media
• Construction and three-dimensional work
• Artist research and contextual studies
• Portfolio development
• Critical analysis and evaluation
• GCSE-style projects and externally assessed work
• Independent creative investigation

As an Art Graduate Teacher Trainee, you will help pupils take creative risks, refine their techniques and communicate personal ideas through visual work.

The role

You will initially support experienced Art teachers before gradually progressing towards planning and teaching your own lessons.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting Art lessons across Key Stages 3 and 4
• Supporting pupils studying GCSE Art
• Preparing materials, equipment and classroom resources
• Demonstrating artistic techniques and the safe use of equipment
• Helping pupils develop sketchbooks and creative portfolios
• Supporting observational drawing, painting and mixed-media projects
• Encouraging pupils to research artists and art movements
• Helping students analyse and evaluate their own work
• Providing individual and small-group support
• Challenging academically able and creatively talented pupils
• Supporting students who need additional guidance
• Helping pupils prepare for practical assessments and examinations
• Displaying and celebrating students’ artwork
• Contributing to clubs, exhibitions and creative enrichment activities
• Assessing work and providing constructive feedback
• Maintaining an organised, safe and inspiring Art classroom
• Gradually planning, delivering and evaluating complete lessons
• Carrying out the wider professional responsibilities of a trainee teacher

About you

We are looking for an academically accomplished and highly creative graduate with a genuine desire to become an Art teacher.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a First-Class or 2:1 degree in Art, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Textiles, Photography or another relevant design discipline
• Ideally have graduated from a Russell Group university
• Have achieved excellent GCSE and A-level results
• Demonstrate a strong portfolio and confident practical art skills
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Be able to explain creative ideas and techniques clearly
• Show enthusiasm for art history, contemporary practice and visual culture
• Be organised, reflective and receptive to professional feedback
• Have the confidence to work with secondary-aged pupils
• Demonstrate patience, resilience and strong attention to detail
• Be committed to completing Initial Teacher Training
• Have a genuine ambition to establish a long-term teaching career
• Be available to begin a full-time position as soon as possible

Previous experience working with young people would be beneficial, but the school will also consider an exceptional graduate with the right academic background, subject knowledge and commitment to teaching.

What the position offers

• A permanent salary of £28,000–£32,000 per annum
• A full-time, school-based teacher-training position
• The opportunity to earn while working towards Qualified Teacher Status
• Regular mentoring from an experienced Art teacher
• Structured professional development and subject-specific training
• Progressive responsibility for planning and delivering lessons
• Experience across Key Stage 3 and GCSE Art
• Access to established curriculum resources
• A clear pathway into a qualified Art teaching role
• Long-term career and leadership-development opportunities
• Immediate interview availability

This is a rare opportunity for an exceptional Art or Design graduate to earn a salary, train in a secondary school and build a permanent teaching career.

Apply through KPI Education today for immediate consideration. Interview slots are available now.

INDEDU