Christopher Watkins-Pitchford
Brighton,East Sussex
Summary
Art, English, and Creative iMedia teacher with experience in comprehensive academy settings. Practising artist skilled in figure drawing portraiture, linocut, intaglio printmaking, ceramics, and photography. Currently developing and delivering AO-aligned curricula for KS3 Art, emphasising sketchbook development and experimentation. Expertise in behaviour management, assessment for learning, and inclusive practice.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work history
Teacher of Art, English, and Creative iMedia
Portslade Aldridge Community Academy
Brighton and Hove, East Sussex
Sept 2023 - Current
- Teach KS3 Art and KS4 Creative iMedia (Photoshop and digital design).
- Teach KS3–KS4 English, including top-set GCSE classes, mixed-attainment groups and nurture provision.
- Plan and deliver sequenced lessons aligned to national curriculum and GCSE Assessment Objectives.
- Design curriculum materials with embedded stretch, scaffolding and vocabulary instruction.
- Assess, moderate and report on student progress; use formative and summative data to inform planning.
- Maintain calm, structured classrooms through consistent application of academy behaviour policy.
- Adapt teaching for SEND, SEMH, EAL and Pupil Premium students.
- Develop KS3 Art curriculum, resulting in adoption of portraiture unit within department.
- Lead extracurricular programmes, enhancing student engagement through Art club, Creative Writing club, and origami enrichment.
- Organise and/or supervise educational visits and residentials, providing students with enriching experiences in theatre, sculpture workshop, FE workshops, Duke of Edinburgh, and ski trip.
- Complete Evolve documentation, risk assessments and parent communication for off-site visits.
- Fulfil form tutor responsibilities, supporting pastoral care, safeguarding and parental engagement.
- Maintained an engaging classroom atmosphere, promoting active participation from all students.
- Empowered students to develop their own artistic style by encouraging experimentation.
- Supported creative exploration and experimentation with new mediums and techniques.
- Delivered creative and engaging lessons focused on artistic techniques and applications.
Teaching Assistant Level C (EAL and SEND)
Hove Park Secondary School
Brighton & Hove , East Sussex
Sept 2021 - Aug 2022
- Provided in-class and small-group support for students with EAL, SEND and SEMH needs across KS3–KS4, including newly arrived and refugee students.
- Adapted curriculum materials to improve access.
- Liaised with teaching staff to implement provision-map strategies and personalised support plans.
- Supported behaviour management through consistent reinforcement of school routines and expectations.
- Monitored student progress and communicated with subject teachers and pastoral teams.
- Established and ran LGBTQ+ lunchtime drop-in for student support.
- Delivered Year 11 assembly on LGBTQ+ history to promote inclusion and equality.
- Contributed to enrichment and community events, including Brighton Children’s Parade participation.
- Led school samba band, organising rehearsals and performances to enhance student engagement in music.
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
St Giles International
Brighton and Hove, East Sussex
Mar 2019 - Aug 2021
- Taught English to adolescents and adults in a multilingual setting.
- Taught business English and English for specific purposes.
- Prepared students for IELTS and Cambridge exams.
- Smoothly transitioned to online teaching during pandemic, confidently using conferencing and file-sharing platforms.
- Introduced Miro to St Giles Online, improving collaboration and workflow.
- Provided regular assessment and targeted individualised feedback.
- Created engaging, accessible lesson materials.
- Facilitated social events and excursions.
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
British Council
Bogotá, Colombia
Oct 2016 - Oct 2018
- Planned and delivered English language lessons to children, adolescents and adults in line with British Council standards.
- Assessed student progress and provided written and oral feedback.
- Prepared students for IELTS examinations.
- Adapted materials for mixed-ability and multilingual classes.
- Contributed to centre meetings and ongoing professional development.
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
Intensive School of English, Brighton
Brighton
May 2015 - June 2016
- Delivered English language instruction to international students.
- Assessed progress and prepared learners for external examinations.
Music Workshop Facilitator / Musician
Self-employed
Brighton, East Sussex
Sept 2013 - Apr 2015
- Designed and led Brazilian and West African drumming workshops in primary and secondary schools, managing large groups and culminating in public performances.
- Musical Director of 35-piece community percussion ensemble, responsible for rehearsal planning and artistic direction.
- Active performer in collaborative bands, contributing to live performance projects.
Primary school Teaching Assistant
Whitehawk Primary School (now City Academy, Whitehawk)
Brighton
Sept 2012 - Aug 2013
- Supported KS1–KS2 teaching, delivering small-group literacy interventions and assisting pupils with SEND and behavioural needs.
- Contributed to music enrichment provision.
- Designed and facilitated creation of large-scale sculpture for Brighton Children’s Parade, leading pupils through collaborative design and construction.
Education
PGCE - Secondary English
University of Sussex
Brighton, Brighton and Hove 09/2022 - 06/2023
Bachelor of Arts - English Language and Literature
The Open University
Milton Keynes 09/2020 - 06/2022
Certificate of Higher Education - Music and Visual Art
University of Brighton
Brighton, Brighton and Hove 09/2006 - 06/2008
Fine Art Foundation Diploma - Fine Art
West Kent College
Tonbridge, Kent 09/2003 - 06/2004
9 GCSEs -
The Judd School
Tonbridge 1996.01 - 1 2002
Skills
Art
- Intaglio & collagraph
- Figure drawing (proportion, gesture, tonal value)
- Portraiture (charcoal, paint, pencil, conte, digital)
- Watercolour & acrylic painting (colour-mixing from primaries)
- Procreate and digital art creation
- Photoshop editing
Inclusion
- Adaptive teaching in high-SEND and SEMH contexts
- EAL support (including refugee and newly arrived students)
- Trauma-aware and relational classroom practice
- Structured routines to secure calm classroom environments
- Scaffolded sketchbook development for mixed-attainment classes
Websites
Continuing Professional Development
- Life Drawing (Online Course) – Proportion, gesture, tonal control, anatomical structure
- Portrait Workshop (Charcoal & Acrylic) – Observational drawing, layered acrylic techniques
- Watercolour & Acrylic Painting Course – Colour mixing, composition, mixed media approaches
- Linocut Printmaking Workshop – Relief printing, registration, reduction techniques
- Printmaking Short Course – Acetate intaglio, tetrapak intaglio, collagraph processes
- Ceramics Courses – Pinch, slab and coil construction; slip and underglaze techniques; sgraffito; press moulding, slip casting, and stamping; oxides and underglazes; nerikomi
Affiliations
- Brazilian and Cuban percussion
- DJ-ing
- Cooking
Languages
English
Native language
Spanish
Intermediate
A1
References
Mark Poston
Position: Principal
Relationship: employer
email: mark.poston@paca.aldridgeeducation.org
telephone: 01273 416300
Gemma Casserly
Position: Head of Art
Relationship: employer
email: gemma.casserly@paca.aldridgeeducation.org
telephone: 01273 416300
Timeline
Teacher of Art, English, and Creative iMedia
Portslade Aldridge Community Academy
Sept 2023 - Current
Teaching Assistant Level C (EAL and SEND)
Hove Park Secondary School
Sept 2021 - Aug 2022
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
St Giles International
Mar 2019 - Aug 2021
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
British Council
Oct 2016 - Oct 2018
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
Intensive School of English, Brighton
May 2015 - June 2016
Music Workshop Facilitator / Musician
Self-employed
Sept 2013 - Apr 2015
Primary school Teaching Assistant
Whitehawk Primary School (now City Academy, Whitehawk)
Sept 2012 - Aug 2013
9 GCSEs -
The Judd School
1996.01 - 1 2002
PGCE - Secondary English
University of Sussex
09/2022 - 06/2023
Bachelor of Arts - English Language and Literature
The Open University
09/2020 - 06/2022
Certificate of Higher Education - Music and Visual Art
University of Brighton
09/2006 - 06/2008
Fine Art Foundation Diploma - Fine Art
West Kent College
09/2003 - 06/2004