Head of Department for DT
Willingdon Community School, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 9QXThis job expired on 19 April 2024
Start date details
Start Date June or September 2024
Closing date
19 April 2024 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
2 April 2024
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Skilled Worker visas can be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Subjects
- Art and design, Design and technology
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 hours per week
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- MPS-UPS £30,000 - £46,525 per annum plus TLR2A
Pay scale
- MPS-UPS per annum plus TLR2A
Additional allowances
TLR2A £5348 per annum
What skills and experience we're looking for
Required for a September start, we invite applications for a Head of Design & Technology who will also oversee the leadership of Art. The successful person will become part of a flagship department that achieves outstanding outcomes at GCSE. This is a perfect opportunity to join the Technology and Enterprise faculty, which greatly values the creative subjects such as Design and Technology, Art, within the curriculum. We currently have multiple GCSE Classes and we are keen to develop our GCSE offer within these disciplines. DT and Art are strong features throughout the three-year KS3.
We hope to find a candidate who is ambitious, enthusiastic and highly motivated who will look to sustain the high outcomes but develop curriculum offer. The successful candidate will be highly proficient in a range of DT/ Art disciplines and will look to work lead our DT and Art staff in sustaining the high profile they have across the school. Candidates should have excellent communication skills working with all ability levels. The successful applicant would be expected to teach DT to all age groups, including GCSE classes.
The successful candidate will have the ability to deliver outstanding lessons to both key stages and have experience of following the GCSE 9-1 Design and Technology syllabus. The candidate should have excellent classroom skills and be very familiar with CAD/CAM, laser cutting, 3D printing equipment and associated software, in order to support and lead the very best practice in all key stages. It is essential that they have a broad and deep knowledge of the “making disciplines” including systems, control and a variety of material specialisms. Ability and experience of leading or teaching Art is desirable but not essential.
All of our staff are lifelong learners and reflective practitioners. We pride ourselves on giving departments ample time for subject specialist CPD and to talent manage our staff for future leadership roles.
What the school offers its staff
The Design and Technology department is part of a group of subjects, which incorporates Art, Business Studies, ICT and Food Preparation and Nutrition. You will be joining a very established team of colleagues who like to share good practice and support the development of each other’s’ areas. The post would be suited to an ambitious teacher and more experienced heads of department. The successful candidate will be prepared to go the extra mile, be keen to work as part of a team, and be open and willing to share new ideas.
The department has excellent facilities, which have recently been updated and modernised to include its own ICT facilities including laser cutters and 3D printers. Students are provided with access to a suite of software such as 2D Design, Sketchup, and PGonline to deliver the best possible outcomes. There is currently one large design and technology room alongside one food room, which may be expanded in the future to include textiles due to its popularity with Key Stage Three students. We currently have multiple groups in both years 10 and 11. We work closely with schools across the town and aim to further our collaboration to share good practice across departments.
Extra-curricular activities are a popular aspect of the school`s provision and highly valued by students, parents and staff alike. Therefore, a willingness to offer support to the extra-curricular and pastoral life of the School is expected.
Our Vision Statement:
We are Willingdon
We are a united, vibrant community which demonstrates personal excellence in all that we do. Learning at Willingdon transforms lives by igniting curiosity and expecting the very best from staff and students alike. We value opportunities, aiming for success today to prepare for challenges and opportunities tomorrow. We are respectful, compassionate and courteous to empower each other on our unique learning journeys. We look after ourselves and each other, and show empathy, respect and compassion to all people and our environment along the way. We encourage tolerance, resilience and reflection, which in turn allows everyone to make progress every lesson. We work together as a harmonious community to be the very best versions of ourselves.
Willingdon Community School is a high-achieving and over-subscribed (NOR 1040), 11-16, comprehensive school serving largely, the Eastbourne and Polegate area. We are committed to talent management and ensuring that all support and teaching staff are given the opportunity to develop and progress their careers. The school prides itself on putting staff and student wellbeing as a top priority and there are many initiatives which have been established to support this e.g. subsidising Benenden healthcare by 50% for all staff members to creating staff working parties to focus on key areas for example; marking workload. Our leadership team are receptive to constructive feedback and hold regular parent, staff and student voice sessions as well as google form entries to submit feedback.
The recent Ofsted report was very positive about the journey of our school and we sustained our 'Good judgement'. Our report details: 'The school has high expectations of pupils and a strong focus on celebration and praise' It also says 'External examination outcomes are extremely strong. Pupils’ progress is significantly above national averages in most subjects, and in the highest 20% in English and mathematics.' This is largely due to teachers being 'subject experts' and also provided with the best support, CPD and leadership. Despite the recent impact of covid, our attendance was significantly above national average and we have enjoyed sharing our good practice with other colleagues in the south east region to support other children.
The school is a leading member of a number of local educational groups and partnerships, such as the Eastbourne Schools Partnership (ESP) which brings many and varied learning opportunities to both teachers and students, particularly via our links with Eastbourne College. We are a member of the SSAT, the Key and PIXL and have excellent links with outstanding schools up and down the country. These links bring cultural and intellectual capital to the school and enrich our CPD provision for staff at all levels.
The CPD and talent management of our staff is given a very high priority as we believe this is a vitally important part of improving outcomes for young people as well as invigorating teachers` passion for their areas. Willingdon is proud of its record in developing new teachers and on the quality of CPD more widely. We look forward to hosting Bill Rogers this year to talk to schools across the South East region about effective behaviour management.
The school has an outstanding record for the quality and range of professional development opportunities it offers and takes pride in developing its staff as outstanding teachers and preparing them for the next steps in their careers. We have an internal coaching team made up of excellent teachers who specify in supporting staff with the development of certain key skills. From delivering literacy within lessons to having good presence and effective engagement, our staff work positively with each other without fear of judgment. As well as being supported through in-house middle and senior leadership programmes, aspiring leaders have access to: funded NPQ and Masters Qualifications; extended programmes in Durrington Research School and leadership opportunities provided by the SSAT and ASCL.
Staff wellbeing is of paramount importance to us at Willingdon Community School. We can offer the successful candidate:
- A clear purpose. We are here to develop personal excellence and help staff and students be the very best versions of themselves.
- Lots of opportunities to observe others and feedback. We don’t grade lessons and feedback is developmental.
- Regular opportunities for staff voice directly to the Headteacher.
- On appointment, a full induction day is arranged to ensure you are supported with the transition to your new role.
- 50% off Benenden Health Care scheme.
- Opportunity to join Bupa Dental Plan which provides varying contributions to NHS and private dental services.
- Weekly staff fitness sessions.
- Regular Mindfulness sessions to enhance your work-life balance.
- We offer Mental Health First Aid to all staff which is a two day qualification.
- An Employee Assistance Programme via the County Council, this service is provided by ‘Care First’, they offer advice, information, emotional support and counselling.
- Annual Flu Vaccination is provided in the autumn term and paid for by the school.
- Access to the ESCC My Staff Shop which gives access to a wide range of tax efficient benefits and discounts from national and local businesses.
- The Love 2 shop membership card (linked to My Staff Shop) is a reloadable gift card which can be spent at a number of major retailers.
- Bike Scheme, this is a salary sacrifice scheme that produces a saving of up to 32% compared to buying a bike upfront.
- A free coffee machine is ready for you during break and lunch time.
- Invitations to whole school social events such as our Christmas party which is subsidised as a thank you to staff, and other gatherings to celebrate success.
- Local business discounts for Willingdon Community School staff.
- And more!
We believe that happy teachers make happy children and therefore do our utmost to support our staff.
Willingdon Community School is committed to child protection/safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this duty of care. All applicants will be subject to safer recruitment procedures and will require satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.
We advise applying promptly for our vacancies as we reserve the right to close and interview early if sufficient suitable applications have been received.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Willingdon Community School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- View all Secondaryjobs
- School size
- 1019 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
- School website
- Willingdon Community School website (opens in new tab)
- Email address
- recruitment@willingdonschool.org.uk
- Phone number
- 01323 485254
Arranging a visit to Willingdon Community School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@willingdonschool.org.uk.
School location
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