Head of Design & Technology with a Product Design Specialism

Harris Academy Wimbledon, London, SW19 2JY

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September

• Closing date

  16 March 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  2 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
  • 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, part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £50,209-£72,388
• Pay scale: MPS/UPS (Inner London) depending on experience + £1,500 Harris Allowance + TLR 2.3
• Additional allowances:

  Performance and Loyalty Bonus + Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan + Pension Scheme (TPS) + Additional Harris Benefits

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Design & Technology (Product Design Specialism) to lead and inspire our Design & Technology department.

This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary educator with a strong background in Product Design to shape a forward-thinking curriculum, champion creativity and innovation, and drive outstanding student outcomes.

You will combine strategic leadership with hands-on expertise, fostering a culture of high standards, technical excellence, and imaginative problem-solving. You will oversee curriculum development, staff mentoring and resource management, ensuring that teaching reflects industry best practice and equips students with the skills, confidence and ambition to excel in the world of design and technology.

The successful candidate will:

• Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree, and, ideally, be able to show evidence of ongoing professional development
• Demonstrate outstanding teaching practice and excellent behaviour management
• Have experience of lesson observations and giving robust feedback
• Have experience of improvement planning and of implementing a range of strategies to raise student achievement, with evidence of success
• Be able to contribute to improving on the quality of learning and teaching and curriculum
• Have a proven track record of excellent results at KS3 and 4, and, ideally, experience of teaching to KS5
• Have experience of high quality pupil tracking and feedback practices
• Ideally, have experience of working with governors and of working in more than one school

What the school offers its staff

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Flexible working opportunities

Harris Federation is committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual’s circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.

Our approach to flexibility includes a range of solutions, from tailored working hours to part-time arrangements, where appropriate, ensuring that we maintain our high standards of education while supporting the wellbeing of our staff. Whether you are a classroom teacher, support staffor part of our senior leadership team, we work together to find solutions that align with both the operational needs of the academy and your professional development.

Harris Federation and our academies are dedicated to creating an inclusive and collaborative environment, where every member of staff can thrive and feel valued in their role.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

You will play a leading and highly visible role in the improvement of teaching and learning of the Faculty and academic success of all students, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning and achievement and leading in the monitoring, evaluation and review of standards and provision in the subject area.

The general expectations of this role are:

• To support teachers across the Academy in their teaching and learning
• To deliver CPD including whole staff training and small-group sessions for teachers at a range of levels/abilities
• To lead an area of Teaching and Learning across the academy (area agreed through discussion at interview) including the development of clear intent, plan for successful implementation, and monitoring of impact through MER
• To remain up to date with literature on the theory of learning and models of instructional coaching
• To chair or co-chair a staff ‘working group' and implement strategies across the academy
• To lead a ‘subject society' for sixth form students
• To work with the Academy's philosophers (more able learners) by leading and/or supporting a philosophers academy programme for a specified year group
• To teach consistently outstanding lessons, and to be able to articulate the techniques that make outstanding teaching so that they can be replicated across the academy
• To conduct lesson observations, learning walks and workbook scrutiny (as part of MER) and provide meaningful feedback
• To line manage teaching staff within the academy
• To lead on areas within the subject area (area agreed though discussion at interview)

Commitment to safeguarding

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Head of DT Job Pack - March 2026.pdf - 430 KB (opens in new tab)

About Harris Academy Wimbledon

• School type: Free School, ages 11 to 19
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1045 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Harris Academy Wimbledon website
• Email address: careers@harrisfederation.org.uk
• Phone number: 020 3962 4300
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/harris-academy-wimbledon

We are an ‘Outstanding' (Ofsted 2023) secondary academy, established in 2018 to provide an excellent education for children in Wimbledon. With our new Sixth Form opening this year, we will soon have a full cohort of students aged 11-18.

Two years after opening, we moved into our brand-new building which is modern, bright and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in every area of the curriculum. We are oversubscribed and fortunate to have an amazing level of support from the community with waiting lists for entry into every year group of our academy.

Harris Academy Wimbledon promotes high levels of academic achievement across the curriculum, encourages participation in extra-curricular opportunities and empowers students to make decisions wisely. The curriculum is rich, diverse and personalised ensuring every student achieves his or her true potential. Academic success goes hand-in hand with a rich variety of enrichment and extra-curricular activities; these help foster a spirit of aspiration, resilience and joy in learning.

Professional learning is at the heart of the academy, supporting all staff in their development. The academy has a growth mindset approach where industry and commitment are seen as cultural virtues. Development of resilience, self esteem, managing risks/consequences and the ability to work effectively together all form a key part of the pastoral provision.

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