Head of Design & Technology
Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 0BP11 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
22 May 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
11 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subject
- Design and technology
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- TLR2C
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Lower School (Year 7 to Year 9) curriculum has been carefully crafted and sequenced to encourage independent learning, develop designing and making skills, alongside improving examination technique. Classes are taught on a carousel basis and transfer to a new project at the end of every term. Pupils study a range of theoretical and practical lessons based on three main areas of focus: Product Design, Engineering and Food Technology. Three lessons are taught over two weeks, within which, one is a double period. We use a range of assessment and investigations to introduce, consolidate and extend pupils’ understanding of the subject. We encourage pupils to develop a more in-depth understanding of the principles they are currently learning, and this gives them a wider breadth of knowledge.
The AQA GCSE 9-1 Curriculum follows on from the work that has been completed in the Lower School, both consolidating parts of it that have previously been covered to GCSE Level but also extending other parts so pupils can access the Level 9 GCSE grade. Sixth Form students also follow the AQA specification for Product Design.
Examination Results The Design and Technology department has a track record of examination success: at GCSE, 60% of the 2025 cohort achieved grades 8-9, while 88% achieved grades 7-9. At A-Level, students achieved 44% A*-A and 100% achieved A*-B. Students leaving the School to study Design and Technology at university often do so at prestigious institutions.
What the school offers its staff
The Design and Technology Department at Westcliff High School for Boys (WHSB) has been a high performing Department for many years. It has consistently achieved outstanding results at GCSE and A Level and ranks amongst the best performing departments within the School.
The Department has grown considerably in previous years. There are presently six classes taking GCSE Design and Technology in Year 10 and Year 11 and, Sixth Form numbers are regularly in the double figures.
The Department plays an important role in the extra-curricular life of the School. We offer a variety of additional clubs which students can attend, aimed at enriching their experience and extending the more able. In the Lower School we offer Technology Club, CAD Club and the Robotics Society. In the Middle School, pupils have the opportunity to be part of the Arkwright Scholarship programme and Engineering Society, whilst in the Upper School, students can take part in the Industrial Cadet Gold Award and Gold CREST Awards, which includes annual residential visits to the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. The department also benefits from a thriving Food Technology department with opportunities to attend eFood Society or, Gastronomy Club.
Accommodation and Facilities
The Technology Department occupies two workshops, a computer suite and one Food room within its own distinct building. In September 2018, the department underwent a full refurbishment to modernise facilities and create a fresh and attractive teaching environment. On a practical level, both workshops are complimented by a full range of traditional machinery including centre lathes, milling machine, brazing hearth, wood lathe and mortiser. Interest in CADCAM has increased significantly in recent years which has led to further investment in a 60W Laser Cutter and eight 3d printers.
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)About Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
- School type
- Academies, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1292 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Westcliff High School for Boys Academy website
- Email address
- vacancies@whsb.essex.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01702 475443
Westcliff High School for Boys is an Outstanding Academy Grammar School located in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.
At WHSB we continue to hold dear our values and traditions whilst fostering academic excellence and a dynamism which allow us to provide a twenty-first century world class education.
Our record of outstanding success is reflected in our outstanding A Level and GCSE results and we are committed to providing the highest standards in all aspects of our provision for pupils.
We currently have around 870 boys on roll in Years 7 to 11, and 330 students in our mixed Sixth Form.
School location
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