Secondary Art Education Teacher- August 2026 (Female Only)

Overview

Downe House Riyadh is seeking an enthusiastic, innovative, and highly skilled Secondary Art Education Teacher to join our growing team from August 2026. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to an ambitious and forward-thinking international school, inspiring students and shaping a vibrant, creative arts curriculum.

About Cognita

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, Thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they're starting from. We protect what's special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that's, quite literally, world class.

About Downe House Riyadh

Opened in September 2022, Downe House Riyadh delivers a world-class British curriculum in partnership with one of the UK's most celebrated girls-only private schools. With over a century of excellence, Downe House UK consistently ranks among the country's top five all-girls' schools.

Located in the prestigious Aqeeq neighbourhood in northern Riyadh, the school offers a British curriculum enriched with Downe House UK's tradition and expertise. The programme is carefully adapted for Saudi Arabia, ensuring girls achieve excellence in Arabic and Islamic Studies alongside core subjects.

The close partnership between the Riyadh and UK schools is evident in both philosophy and practice. At the heart of the Downe House ethos is the individual: every girl's strength, challenges, and interests are recognised, with bespoke pathways that foster confidence and success.

Downe House Riyadh offers

• A first-class British education leading to IGCSEs and A Levels

• Academic excellence in girls' education

• Exceptional pastoral care and opportunities for personal growth

• A wide range of co-curricular activities

The school nurtures intellectual curiosity, creativity, and respect for others through strong pastoral systems, personalised tutoring, and a spotlight on every student.

School Structure

• Pre-Prep: Nursery to Year 2 (ages 2-7)

• Prep: Year 3 to Year 8 (ages 7-13)

• Senior: Year 9 to Year 13 (ages 13-18)

Boys and girls are admitted from Pre-School to Year 4.

The state-of-the-art campus features dedicated libraries, central atriums, science and design labs, art studios, a 450-seat theatre, music, dance, and drama facilities, IT labs, and both senior and learner swimming pools.

Key Responsibilities School Values and Ethos

• Actively promote our unique vision and the Downe House Potential through enthusiastic participation in all aspects of school life.

• Support the school's commitment to providing an all-round, outstanding education.

• Set high expectations that inspire, motivate and challenge pupils.

• Maintain high aspirations for pupils' academic and personal development.

• Provide excellent pastoral care to all pupils.

Curriculum

• Teach a broad, balanced and engaging Art curriculum, including GCSE and A Level.

• Plan and deliver inspiring, creative lessons that meet the needs of all learners.

• Prepare schemes of work, teaching materials and assessment methods.

• Demonstrate excellent subject knowledge, including IGCSE Photography (essential).

• Differentiate effectively to ensure all pupils can access learning and make excellent progress.

• Set challenging goals and use a wide range of resources, technologies and strategies to support achievement.

• Follow procedures for assessment, record-keeping and reporting.

• Provide regular, constructive feedback to pupils and encourage reflection.

• Contribute fully to the school's extra-curricular and wider activities programme.

Management

• Implement school policies and procedures consistently.

• Create a safe, purposeful and well-managed learning environment.

• Work effectively with teaching assistants to support learning.

• Build and maintain strong home-school relationships, working collaboratively with colleagues.

Professional Standards

• Attend assemblies, meetings, parents' evenings and school functions.

• Engage in ongoing professional development and training.

• Serve as an exemplary role model for pupils.

• Maintain high professional standards, including punctuality, presentation and conduct.

• Reflect on teaching practice and take responsibility for continuous improvement.

• Maintain positive and productive working relationships with colleagues.

Safeguarding

• Comply fully with all safeguarding policies and procedures.

• Demonstrate a personal commitment to pupil wellbeing and safety.

• Participate in all required safeguarding training.

Person Specification

(E = Essential, D = Desired)

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Art or related subject (E)

• PGCE or equivalent (E)

• Qualified Teacher Status (E)

• Minimum three years of high-quality teaching experience (E)

• Strong knowledge of the UK National Curriculum, including GCSE & A Level (E)

• IGCSE Photography experience (E)

• Experience with curriculum development in Art (E)

• Understanding of best practice and recent developments in education (E)

• Experience teaching students with English as an Additional Language (D)

• Understanding of the UK independent school context (D)

Personal Qualities

• Ability to challenge and support pupils of all abilities (E)

• Inspirational teaching style and passion for learning (E)

• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills (E)

• Effective use of ICT to enhance learning (E)

• Energy, dynamism and creativity (E)

• High levels of professionalism and alignment with school values (E)

• A positive, can-do attitude and sense of humour (E)

• Commitment beyond a "nine-to-five" approach (E)

Why Join Downe House Riyadh?

• Be part of a prestigious, globally connected school with a reputation for excellence.

• Work within a supportive and professional team that values collaboration and innovation.

• Gain experience in a dynamic international school setting while contributing to a meaningful short-term project.

Our Offer

The successful candidate will benefit from an attractive tax-free salary. In addition, there will be a significant commitment to supporting the development and career goals of the successful candidates.

Applications can be submitted via the TES online application form, only fully completed application will be processed. To support your application, please include your current, up-to-date CV.

Interviews will take place online/ in person.

The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we would encourage candidates to apply early in the process.

Thank you for your interest in Downe House Riyadh. Due to the large number of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Downe House Riyadh School and Cognita are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.