Head of Design & Technology
Three Rivers Academy, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 5EJ61 days remaining to apply
Closing date
1 February 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
1 December 2025
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Subject
- Design and technology
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £34,398.00 - £52,490.00 Annually (FTE) Plus TLR 2b
Head of Design & Technology job summary
Three Rivers Academy is seeking an inspiring and innovative Head of Design & Technology to join our vibrant faculty. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and dedicated educator to lead and nurture a dynamic learning environment committed to unlocking the full potential of every student.
As a key leader within the school, this role provides a fantastic opportunity to deliver high-quality teaching and learning, lead a high-performing team, and ensure outstanding outcomes for our students. You will work closely with the Head of Faculty to develop and promote innovative teaching practices, enrich curriculum provision, and set high standards for staff and students alike. This position allows you to lead on school improvement priorities, manage faculty resources, and foster a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
Subject Specific Information
The KS3 curriculum reflects the National Curriculum as well as the needs of our learners. We have a carousel-based curriculum with projects incorporating, Textiles, Food, Computing, Resistant Materials and Graphics.
At KS4, students can opt for WJEC GCSE Food & Nutrition, AQA GCSE Graphic Design and WJEC GCSE 3D Design from September 2024 (currently AQA GCSE Product design), which enables multiple material areas to be explored.
Design and Technology at KS5 is offered through AQA Product Design. KS5 students are encouraged to be increasingly self-motivated to develop their practice. To support this, we can offer KS5 Art & D&T students access to a dedicated workshop space to pursue independent work.
This is an exciting time for us within the Technology department. We are looking to appoint an individual who is enthusiastic and passionate about all aspects of Design and Technology. This is a wonderful opportunity for a talented and ambitious professional to make a substantial contribution to the growth and development of Three Rivers Academy. The role offers the successful candidate a challenge that will be both rewarding and fulfilling and will support you to achieve your own career goals and aspirations.
Our department is innovative and forward-thinking; we are constantly renewing and developing schemes of work to suit the modern workplace with a focus on STEM and iterative design. We have a wide range of CAD/CAM and modern facilities, including Laser Cutters, 3D Printers, Embroidery Machines, Dye Sublimination printers and Heat Press. Students are encouraged to utilise all aspects of Design and Technology within their projects.
Our purpose-built Design and Technology suite consists of two of each Textiles, Graphics, Resistant Materials and Food Rooms and we also have the support of a dedicated technician.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide inspirational leadership to the faculty and ensure excellence in teaching and learning.
- Develop and implement robust curriculum plans and enrichment activities.
- Monitor and evaluate student progress, implementing intervention strategies as needed.
- Lead and inspire professional development within the department.
- Collaborate effectively with colleagues across THPT schools to share best practices.
- Maintain open and effective communication with parents, carers, and feeder schools.
What We Offer:
- A supportive leadership team and opportunities for extensive CPD.
- Career progression within The Howard Partnership Trust.
- A stimulating and collaborative work environment focused on excellence.
- Effective PPA allocation to support work-life balance.
Who We’re Looking For:
- A qualified teacher with strong subject knowledge and a commitment to CPD.
- Demonstrable experience in improving student outcomes and inspiring staff.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills.
- A passion for creating engaging and effective learning experiences.
As a Partnership School, we are committed to professional development through our extensive CPD programme and ensure a healthy work/life balance with effective PPA allocation.
We welcome informal meetings or tours of the school. Please contact the HR team to arrange a visit.
All adults employed by the Trust have a responsibility for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations.
The Howard Partnership Trust is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of gender, marital status, disability, race, age, or sexual orientation.
All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.
Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of this advertisement.
As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
SAFEGUARDING AND FURTHER INFORMATION
The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
The Howard Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment
Due to the nature of this role, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. In making your application, it is essential you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up; any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.
Further information about the job
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.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Three Rivers Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1391 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Three Rivers Academy website
School location
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