Sarah Louise Adams
Visual Arts Educator · Department Lead · Artist
British art and design educator with more than eight years of international teaching experience across Cambridge, Edexcel, IB Diploma, AP and BTEC pathways.
Experienced in curriculum development, assessment, exhibition planning and supporting students from primary through post-16 education. Previously worked in graphic design, digital production and creative project management in London, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Email: sa_designer@yahoo.co.uk
LinkedIn: Professional profile
Professional Experience
Visual Arts Teacher and Department Lead
Nord Anglia International School, Shanghai, China
August 2024 – present
- Lead Visual Art provision across KS3, Cambridge IGCSE, High School Diploma and IB Diploma pathways.
- Plan curriculum, assessment, exhibitions and departmental resources.
- Support students with portfolios, resolved artworks and individual creative development.
- Deliver painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and digital art.
- Collaborate across the Arts department on theatre design and interdisciplinary projects.
- Lead enrichment opportunities for primary and secondary students.
Secondary Art and Design Teacher
St Mary’s and St John’s CE School, London, UK
January – July 2024
- Taught Edexcel Art and Design across KS3 and GCSE.
- Delivered fine art, collage, ceramics and printmaking projects.
- Also taught Graphic Design, Computer Science and Scratch.
- Led an after-school Arts and Crafts programme.
Art and Design Artisan
Institut auf dem Rosenberg, St Gallen, Switzerland
September – December 2023
- Taught small Middle and Upper School classes across IB, Cambridge and AP pathways.
- Delivered Fine Art, Digital Art, Photography, Interior Design, Ceramics and Printmaking.
- Supported individual student projects in a highly personalised learning environment.
Visual Arts Teacher
Reigate Grammar School Vietnam
August 2021 – June 2023
- Taught Visual Arts across PYP, MYP, Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma.
- Delivered Fine Art, Digital Art, Ceramics and Printmaking.
- Assessed and moderated Cambridge IGCSE Art and Design portfolios.
- Supported exhibitions, interdisciplinary projects and whole-school arts activities.
Whole-School Art and Design Teacher
Capital School Dubai, UAE
November 2020 – July 2021
- Taught Cambridge Art and Design from Years 2–8.
- Delivered Fine Art, Ceramics, Graphics and Sculpture.
- Introduced students to Islamic and Arabic art history.
- Also supported Arabic Social Studies and Moral Education.
Creative Design and Innovation Teacher
Ministry of Education, UAE
April 2017 – November 2020
- Taught students aged 12–18 across Edexcel IGCSE and BTEC pathways.
- Delivered engineering design, architecture, multimedia, electronics and 3D printing.
- Combined creative thinking with technical problem-solving and digital production.
Qualifications and Professional Development
- PGCE, Leading Learning and Teaching — University of Dundee
- BA (Hons), Graphic Design — De Montfort University
- HND, Illustration — Swindon College
- IB Diploma Visual Arts, Category 2
- Cambridge IGCSE Art and Design assessment training
- Cambridge International AS and A Level Art and Design training
- BTEC Level 3 Art and Design professional development
- TEFL Certificate — 120 hours
Curriculum Experience
International Baccalaureate
IB Diploma Visual Arts · MYP Visual Arts · PYP Visual Arts
Cambridge International
IGCSE Art and Design · AS and A Level Art and Design
Other pathways
Edexcel GCSE Art and Design · AP Art · BTEC Art and Design · High School Diploma
Creative and Digital Skills
Art and Design Practice
Digital Skills
Earlier Creative Career
Digital Designer and Creative Project Lead
London · New York · San Francisco Bay Area
1999 – 2017
Worked across graphic design, digital production, web design and project management for organisations including Sony Pictures Television, ESPN, TBS, BT, Nationwide, Accuray, London Fashion Week, the British Fashion Council and Amnesty International UK.
Led projects from initial concept through design, production, testing and launch while managing clients, developers and multidisciplinary creative teams.