Head of Art

Cottenham Village College

Start Date: September 2026
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: MPS / UPS + TLR 2a
Closing Date:  4th May 2026

Cottenham Village College is seeking to appoint an ambitious and inspirational Head of Art to lead and develop our successful Art department from September 2026. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced teacher or current subject leader ready to take the next step in their career within a highly supportive and forward-thinking school.

About Cottenham Village College

Cottenham Village College is a thriving, inclusive secondary school set in a pleasant location in beautiful Cambridgeshire. As part of the Astrea Academy Trust, the college benefits from a shared commitment to high academic standards, strong pastoral care, and staff development. We are proud of our calm, focused learning environment and our belief that all pupils, regardless of background, can succeed through access to a knowledge-rich curriculum and excellent teaching.

The Role

As Head of Art, you will:

• Lead, manage, and inspire the Art department, establishing a clear vision for excellence in teaching and learning
• Develop and deliver a knowledge-rich art curriculum rooted in ‘powerful knowledge’ and subject specificity
• Line manage staff within the department, supporting professional growth and high-quality practice
• Use assessment effectively to drive progress and attainment
• Contribute to whole-school improvement priorities
• Promote a love of Art across the school and within the wider community

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Is an excellent Art practitioner with a strong subject knowledge
• Has, or is ready to develop, leadership and management skills
• Is aligned with evidence-informed practice, including Rosenshine and Lemov
• Is committed to high standards, equality of opportunity, and disruption-free learning
• Thrives in a collaborative culture and values shared planning and resources
• Is ambitious for pupils and for their own professional development

What We Offer:

• Huge levels of support and clear progression opportunities
• A knowledge-rich curriculum built on ‘powerful knowledge’ and subject-specific excellence
• Collaborative planning with centralised, shared units of work and resources
• A feedback policy focused on whole-class feedback — no onerous marking
• Disruption-free learning with clear systems and expectations
• Highly visible and supportive senior leadership
• Centralised detentions, including homework detentions
• No graded lesson observations — ongoing, no-stakes feedback cycles
• Excellent CPD, career development and promotion opportunities across the Astrea Cambridgeshire region
• Opportunity to complete NPQs
• An unrivalled professional progression model
• Access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free on-site parking

Interested in Applying?

If you are passionate about education, looking for a fresh opportunity, or simply want to make a positive impact, we would love to hear from you. Take a look at the job description and candidate pack to find out more about the role and how to apply or contact our recruitment team at recruitment@astreaacademytrust.org.

Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI:

Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. We value diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities.

In line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and the statutory Code of Practice, the Trust requires all public-facing post holders to demonstrate fluent English. Within a school setting, this applies to all roles that involve direct or indirect interaction with pupils, parents, or members of the public.

Flexible Interview Dates:

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Please note that interview dates are flexible, and the academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to our dynamic and forward-thinking team, apply today and be a part of our mission to create a positive impact!