Teacher of Art; Painter​/Artist

Overview

Bedford School’s outstanding Art department seeks a full-time Teacher of Art / Painter or Artist to join the team as a painting specialist from September 2026 or January 2027.

Art is a highly popular subject at Bedford School both as an examined subject across GCSE and A-Level courses and as a central pillar of the thriving creative co-curricular life of the school. Our Art department has three specialist studios in painting, printmaking, and sculpture, which all year groups in the Upper School experience on rotation. The department consists of three full-time specialist teachers, a part-time technician (all of whom are practising artists), and a part-time Art History teacher.

The successful candidate will take charge of a dedicated Painting Studio, which enjoys an enviable position in the school grounds. They will be a team player: the ability to communicate well with colleagues and students is essential, to enable the happy and creative working environment in the Art department to continue.

The successful candidate will be able to make a substantial contribution to Art at our school both as an academic subject and as an exciting part of our co-curricular offer in the creative arts. The ability to teach digital processes such as Photoshop would be an advantage. They will be ready to make the most of the resources and specialist facilities available at a leading independent boarding school.

Full-time teachers at Bedford are also expected to play a full part in the extensive co-curricular programme and be a Tutor attached to a boarding or day house.

This role could be an exciting new challenge for an experienced teacher seeking to broaden their experience amidst outstanding facilities and artistic opportunities. The role could also be an ideal fit for a well-qualified and experienced professional (Painter/Artist) who wishes to transition to a career in teaching;
Bedford School has outstanding and well established in‑school support available for well-qualified graduates who wish to train as a teacher; there is plentiful experience in the Art department to support graduates with teacher training.

Full-time teachers at Bedford are expected to participate fully in the extensive co-curricular programme and serve as tutors attached to a boarding or day house.

Contact:
The Deputy Head, Luke Rogers, Director of Art, Florence Burbridge, would be happy to talk to prospective applicants and can be contacted through the main school reception  or by email  and fbu

8 June 2026

TBC

Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date and Bedford School reserves the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply early.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self‑declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Bedford School is part of The Harpur Trust.