BIRKENHEAD SCHOOL
Information for Candidates applying for the role of Teacher of Art
Required for September 2026
THE SCHOOL
Birkenhead School, awarded the Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year in the North West for 2025, was founded in 1860. It is an HMC independent day school providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral, Liverpool and as far afield as Chester and North Wales. There are currently some 80 children in Early Years (41 in Nursery aged under 3 years old, 39 in our “Pre-Prep” aged 3 to 5 years old), 300 pupils in the School’s Prep (ages 5-11) and 510 pupils in Years 7 to Upper Sixth Form. Birkenhead School has been fully co-educational since September 2008, offering the choice of an independent education to all local children. Across the School approximately 45% of pupils are girls.
Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a ‘village green’ atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories looking out over the cricket square. There are ongoing and substantial investments in facilities. In addition to the main campus, the School owns 17 acres of playing fields on two sites nearby – the primary one being McAllester Field on Bidston Road.
SCHOOL ORGANISATION & VALUES
The School comprises Nursery and Pre-Prep (Early Years), Prep and Seniors and integrates their objectives and activities within a ‘One School’ concept. The Headmaster chairs the School’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) comprising the Head of Prep, Deputies and the Bursar.
Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school. It is attractive to parents to have all their children in one school and it is a great advantage for the school to be able to establish strong, long-lasting relationships with families. The move to co-education reinforced this and at present, 215 families have more than one child in the School and 28 have three or four children.
A key feature of the School is its strength of community, which runs through the student, staff and parental bodies. The School is embedded within the wider Wirral community, has strong links with local business and charities, and offers an extensive bursary programme. The School aims to inspire students both inside and outside the classroom, knowing each individual and providing them with outstanding opportunities to find their niche.
A dedicated, talented and collegiate staff body is required to achieve these aims. The School’s informal motto is Respect, Responsibility and Resilience, to which we have recently added Inclusivity, Compassion, Integrity, Humility and Courage as defined School values. Birkenhead School recruits on attitude as much as the quality of an individual’s qualifications on paper, an approach that has played a considerable role in the winning of the Sunday Times award – in short, staff go above and beyond in delivering outstanding academic grades and an expansive cocurricular programme which leads to a fulfilled, inspired and happy community – staff, students, parents, grandparents and alumni (Old Birkonians—OBs).
BIRKENHEAD SCHOOL
THE DEPARTMENT
Art is a busy, successful department where students flourish. It follows the AQA GCSE and A Level Art & Design Fine Art syllabus, with GCSE students last year achieving the highest VA within the School. The Art Department consists of a full time Head of Department and a second full time member of staff, supported by a part time Art Technician. Both staff teach across all senior school years. Staff are dedicated professionals, who in addition to lessons, offer numerous co-curricular opportunities including lunch clubs and regular afterschool sessions to support exam level students. A Level students regularly progress onto Foundation Courses and degrees in areas such as Architecture, Fine Art and Fashion.
GCSE and A Level courses are continually reviewed and refined to deliver stimulating creative opportunities through which students can learn and excel in both practical skills and critical thinking. Students work in two-dimensional and three-dimensional media across all years, including KS3. As well as the main teaching rooms, department facilities include a print room, kiln and dedicated Sixth Form room.
Artist workshops and events for Year 9 upwards enrich students’ learning, while a popular annual visit to London Galleries informs A Level work. Successful cultural trips to Madrid and Paris have run in collaboration with Modern Languages. Each autumn Art, Music and Drama run a week-long Festival of Arts which includes an exhibition of student work. The department supports the drama department in creating backdrops for school productions.
The department believes strongly in the value of creativity and prides itself on having excellent relationships with students, supporting them in developing ideas, opinions, and independence through art.
THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and dynamic teacher, with relevant experience, to tutor students across the full age and ability range, to ensure the highest possible standards of achievement, personal development and well-being. The post holder will continue to meet, maintain, and build upon Teachers Standards.
Applications from both ECTs and more experienced teachers are welcome.
Responsibilities
• Teaching, marking, assessment and grading within the department, always setting the highest standards of personal organisation and administration. All teachers are expected to:
Teaching
• Contribute to a department academic extension programme designed to stretch, challenge and inspire students.
• Meet the needs of different groups of learners in particular SEND students and those identified as potential high attainers
• Keep abreast of developments in the subject, maintaining contacts with other schools, exam boards and professional associations.
• Ensure students are properly prepared and entered for exams.
BIRKENHEAD
• Contribute to the organisation of co-curricular activities both in relation to the department and wider School community.
Provide a stimulating learning environment.
• Liaise with students about Art and other related subjects at Universities.
Liaise with University departments and specialists within their field.
• Liaise with Prep regarding organising and overseeing enrichment activities.
Assessment
Give timely, positive and helpful feedback to students.
• Complete reports to a high standard and within specified deadlines.
• Regularly assess and mark student’s work in line with School and department guidelines.
Tutoring
• Actively monitor students’ progress and provide support where necessary.
• Encourage student’s self-development and personal expression through PSHEE and tutor sessions.
Professional Development and Wider Contribution to the School community
• Proactively engage in continuous professional development to reflect on and improve teaching repertoire.
• Participate in arrangements for the appraisal and review of own performance.
• Contribute to the life of the community, particularly by leading and contributing to co-curricular activities.
• Presenting the School at Parents Evenings, Open Days and other events.
Support and develop the use of ICT within the department.
Additional Elements
Teachers are expected to: -
Adhere to the School’s Code of Conduct.
• Commit to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students.
Support and encourage the School’s ethos and objectives.
• Ensure facilities, including equipment and teaching areas, are maintained in an appropriate condition.
• Demonstrate a commitment to improving and developing the school’s processes and facilities.
• Carry out such duties that may be reasonably required by your Line Manager.
THE PERSON
The ideal candidate will
• Have a secure knowledge and understanding of own subject/curriculum area including current developments in teaching and learning.
• Have QTS/PGCE qualification.
Have prior teaching experience at Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.
BIRKENHEAD
SCHOOL
• Be an excellent classroom practitioner with evidence of good teaching skills, leading to consistently high standards of achievement.
Be enthusiastic, confident and diligent.
• Develop and maintain good relationships with students and colleagues.
• Have a sound understanding and awareness of Safeguarding procedures.
• Develop creative and innovative teaching techniques.
• Be IT literate to support teaching and learning.
Inspire staff and students through action.
The successful candidate will balance a determined work ethic and strong academic rigour with good humour, teamwork and perspective. All applicants should be outstanding Teachers, but also possess the wider interests and passions that will inspire students outside of the standard curriculum. All staff are expected to contribute fully to the wider life of the School and the co-curricular provision.
REMUNERATION & BENEFITS
Salary
Birkenhead School operates its own salary scale, reflecting the experience and expertise of the successful candidate.
Hours
This is a permanent, full-time position. The post holder will be required to contribute to co-curricular opportunities and work as necessary to carry out the duties of the role.
Holiday
You will be entitled to School Holidays and Bank Holidays.
Pension
The School operates an auto-enrolment pension scheme.
Other Benefits
We will value and support your contribution to School life and in return provide you with excellent rewards:
Working with fantastic young students
• Working as part of a committed team
• Wellbeing support through the Employee Assistance Programme
• Term time is approx. 34 weeks
Free use of the fully equipped on-site gym
Support for your continuous professional development
Children of permanent staff enjoy a reduction in School fees
• Electric Car charging points
BIRKENHEAD SCHOOL
APPLICATION
A letter of application indicating skills and experience, together with a completed application form, including the names and email addresses of at least two referees, should be sent for the attention of the Head of Senior School via: chw@birkenheadschool.co.uk
Applications may also be sent by post to: Cheryl Wallace (Head of HR and Compliance), Birkenhead School, 58 Beresford Road, Oxton, Wirral, CH43 2JD
Application forms can be downloaded from the School’s website: www.birkenheadschool.co.uk
Candidates are welcome to contact the Head of Art, Mrs Ginny Margerison on vjm@birkenheadschool.co.uk with any questions relating to the role.
To meet our safeguarding obligations, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is undertaken as part of the recruitment process for all new staff. As Birkenhead School is an educational provider, it is permitted to ask whether an applicant has any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings which would not be filtered in line with current guidance, as defined by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). It is a criminal offence for an individual who is barred from working with children to apply for a role which is classed as regulated activity (i.e. involves working with children). As such, candidates are asked to also complete the separate Criminal Record Declaration Form on the School’s website. The information disclosed on this form will not be kept with your application form during the application process.
Candidates selected for interview will be offered the opportunity to have a tour of the School and meet with relevant members of the department.
The closing date for applications: 8.00am on Monday 18th May 2026
Successful candidates are likely to be invited to interview on Wednesday 20th May 2026.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy and complete the recruitment process when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.