Director of Art

Please read the details below and download the PDF candidate pack in the documents tab before applying. We are expecting a lot of interest in this post and know how much time it can take to put in an application. We will only be able to interview experienced candidates who meet the person specification and criteria.  Thank you for your understanding. Head of Art (Senior School) Overview This is an exceptional opportunity for an inspiring, visionary artist-practitioner and educator to serve as Head of Art in the Senior School, playing a foundational role in establishing the visual identity, studio tradition, and art curriculum at SPGS International School Bangkok. Bringing the academic rigour, artistic excellence, and intellectual ambition of St Paul’s Girls’ School to our Senior School, the successful candidate will formulate and execute an ambitious vision spanning Year 7 through to IB Diploma Visual Arts in the Sixth Form. The postholder will oversee academic art and design, multidisciplinary studio disciplines (including fine art, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and digital media), and portfolio preparation, collaborating closely with the Head of Art in the Junior School to ensure seamless cross-phase progression and cultivate an inclusive, high-profile whole-school visual arts culture. Reporting to the Deputy Head Pastoral, the postholder will design and deliver a scholarly, inquiry-led art curriculum while demonstrating outstanding capability as a studio mentor and practitioner. Combining art history, critical theory, contextual analysis, and visual literacy with hands-on technical material mastery, the postholder will embed intellectual agency and artistic risk-taking into daily practice. The ideal candidate will excel at creating a high-expectation, human-centred environment where pupils are encouraged to challenge assumptions, explore complex visual themes, and develop authentic artistic maturity, personal voice, and confidence. Beyond the classroom, the postholder will demonstrate proven expertise in curating, organising, and staging ambitious annual exhibitions, gallery showcases, and community art installations that enrich the life of the school. As a dedicated Form Tutor within an embedded pastoral framework, the successful candidate will combine personal drive and meticulous organisational agility with the resilience to lead exhibition setups and studio projects under pressure, always maintaining a warm, collegiate, and encouraging atmosphere. This rare founding opportunity will suit an extraordinary educator and artist-leader eager to build a world-class Art Department and legacy from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities
The following responsibilities are not exhaustive but give an indication of the scope and accountabilities of the role. In consultation with the post holder, this

Job Description
will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the school. During the opening stage, duties may be more wide-ranging and require significant flexibility. Although the post officially begins in August 2027, we anticipate some preparation time with the appointee prior to their start date in order to ensure everything is set up for the start of term. Early engagement will be vital to help shape the art curriculum. Curriculum and Pedagogical Leadership
- Devise and execute a three-year departmental strategic plan aligned with the school’s goals
- Design and continuously refine schemes of work across all key stages
- Track and champion the academic growth of every student, framing academic excellence as the natural byproduct of deep scholarship
- Deliver the bespoke School Directed Course alongside the IB Diploma Higher Level Visual Arts pathway
- Oversee internal assessments, coursework, and entrance assessments
- Articulate the art department’s academic vision, ethos, and student outcomes with clarity and enthusiasm to both current and prospective families
- Provide high-level subject mentorship for university pathways, preparing students for elite global university admission through mock interviews, specialised workshops, and stretch reading
- Lead subject-specific research and innovation, incorporating emerging scholarship, global best practices, and new technologies into the curriculum Co-Curricular Leadership
- Develop a three-year strategic development plan for the co-curriculum in art that is both inclusive and offers opportunities for stretch and challenge to the most experienced artists
- Organise, maintain, deliver and promote co-curricular activities as part of the school’s programme including but not limited to exhibitions, student-led artistic initiatives and community art installations.
- Encourage students to participate in art competitions at national and international level
- Ensure that student involvement is seen as part of their holistic education
- Be responsible for establishing participation and excellence in a variety of artistic pursues
- Take an active role in the wider life of the school, supporting students to develop a rich depth of experience beyond classroom learning
- Empower students to establish and lead their own societies, building confidence, agency, and leadership skills
- Work closely with the Head of Art in the Junior School to ensure consistency and to create opportunities for students in both parts of the school to work together Staff Leadership
- Inspire departmental colleagues with a shared vision of scholarly and artistic excellence ensuring all members carry out their academic and co-curricular responsibilities with professional agency
- Cultivate a culture of continuous pedagogical development through peer observations, learning walks, self-reflection and shared lesson planning
- Support the professional growth of colleagues facilitating research initiatives, leadership pathways, and continuous learning
- Oversee the quality of academic reporting within the department, ensuring written feedback provides prospective, individualised guidance
- Lead the seamless induction of new colleagues, embedding them into the school's unique pedagogical and pastoral ethos
- Facilitate purposeful departmental meetings Administration
- Oversee departmental finances with integrity and foresight, strategically deploying resources to maximise academic impact and student engagement
- Collaborate with the school librarian to curate extensive reading lists and academic research in their discipline Learning and Teaching
- Deliver forward-thinking, innovative, well-sequenced lessons aligned with the English National Curriculum, IGCSE, IBDP, and SPGS ethos, reflecting our international context in Thailand
- Embed school values into daily teaching to cultivate a vibrant culture and genuine love of learning among students
- Foster a stimulating classroom environment that inspires intellectual risk-taking, open debate, and articulate self-expression
- Drive every student's progress through responsive teaching and targeted scaffolding, ensuring all learners engage with and master demanding material
- Lead student-centred interventions to support personal academic goals, maintaining transparent communication with parents and staff
- Work hand-in-hand with parents through attentive listening and open dialogue to support each student’s academic and personal growth
- Collaborate across departments to design interdisciplinary projects and share innovative pedagogical expertise
- Celebrate diverse student accomplishments across academic and co-curricular life, building an inclusive culture grounded in mutual encouragement and shared success
- Integrate educational technology with clear pedagogical intent to elevate critical thinking, deepen inquiry, and enrich student self-expression Safeguarding and Wellbeing
- Be responsible for the safeguarding culture in the art department
- Create a safe, inspiring environment where students feel secure to take intellectual risks and flourish, keeping student wellbeing at the centre of every decision
- Take a genuine personal interest in each student’s growth, ensuring they feel known, valued, and cared for across all aspects of school life
- Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection by actively adhering to school policies, participating in mandatory training, and staying updated on policy changes
- Share responsibility for health and safety, exercising due care and complying fully with school procedures and Thai legal requirements
- Understand that compliance with safeguarding expectations is mandatory, with any non-compliance subject to disciplinary action and allegations managed under statutory procedures in consultation with Thai authorities and international standards Marketing and Admissions
- Demonstrate the energy, skills, and desire to promote a new school and actively engage in a range of events and activities which promote the school
- Be an ambassador and advocate for the school and SPGS International General
- Act as a Form Tutor
- Uphold the SPGS International School Bangkok values and ethos
- Regularly review own practice, set personal development targets
- Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive relations with students, parents and colleagues
- Work within the school’s health and safety policies to ensure a safe working environment for all staff, students and visitors
- Take part in assemblies and other whole school events
- Perform ad hoc duties as they arise from time-to-time
- Meet deadlines. Responsibilities as part of general faculty expectations
- Plan and prepare lessons according to school policy and departmental guidance
- Teach classes assigned by the School
- Set, mark, and assess work according to the school’s and department’s homework policy
- Record and monitor student progress and produce personalised reports as required
- Prepare students for internal and external assessments as necessary
- Contribute to departmental curriculum development, resource creation, displays, societies, trips, and enrichment activities. Professional Development
- Drive your own growth through the school’s professional learning cycle, setting ambitious targets and refining your practice via coaching with the Deputy Head Pastoral
- Participate fully in all required INSET days and training sessions, including mandatory safeguarding
- Commit to continuous professional development by engaging with educational research, reflecting on practice, and sharing pedagogical insights across the school
- Embrace a culture of open classrooms and pedagogical exchange, actively participating in peer observations to share best practice and elevate teaching across the school THE PERSON Qualifications, Experience, and Skills Required Essential
- Bachelor’s degree in art or a related field
- Qualified Teacher Status (UK), PGCE, or equivalent teaching certification
- A minimum of 5 years’ teaching experience within a Senior School setting
- A minimum of 3 years’ leadership or management experience
- Proven track record as a practising artist
- An innovative and imaginative approach to art teaching, with the ability to deliver inspirational and inclusive lessons to students across a range of age groups and learning needs
- Ability to explain complex ideas clearly and from a range of perspectives
- A strong understanding of how students’ learning is influenced by their physical, emotional, and social development
- Thorough understanding of the English National Curriculum
- Ability to design and implement engaging and developmentally appropriate learning activities
- Experience using assessment tools to track and support students’ progress
- Excellent organisational and time management skills for managing day-to-day classroom responsibilities
- Demonstrated experience using technology with clear intent to enhance learning experiences and support student achievement
- Positive approaches to fostering positive behaviour and maintaining a respectful classroom culture
- Ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of students
- Strong interpersonal skills for building positive, collaborative relationships with students, parents, and staff Desirable
- Recent background in UK secondary school education with experience overseas
- Familiarity with assistive technologies and learning support software
- Experience as an exhibiting artist or curator
- Experience contributing to international accreditation or inspection processes
- Experience delivering and developing IGCSE and IBDP curriculums Personal Attributes
- Deep alignment with the values and mission of SPGS International School Bangkok
- Creative, energetic, and able to inspire both young learners and adults
- Strong leadership grounded in collaboration, integrity, and sound judgment
- High ambitions for the School and each individual child
- Culturally aware, respectful, and able to build positive relationships in a diverse community
- Reflective, proactive, organised, solution-focused, adaptable, and pragmatic
- Confident and articulate communicator with a positive presence and sense of humour