Head of Design & Technology

St Helen’s is an academically selective independent girls’ day school of more than 1100 students aged 3-18.

We are looking for an ambitious, dynamic, innovative leader to head our thriving Design & Technology Department.

Reporting directly to the Academic Deputy Head, your key responsibilities include:

• Having a clear vision for the future of the Department and to provide leadership and line management to the staff in the Department
• Monitoring the work of staff in the Department via formal and informal lesson observations, work scrutiny, annual Professional Development Review meetings and other appropriate means, ensuring that learning and teaching within the Department is consistent with the School’s Strategic Framework.
• Providing support, coaching, mentoring, challenge and advice to all members of the Department to secure the highest standards of learning, teaching and professional development
• Developing and implementing departmental policies in line with whole school policies and to ensure the ongoing development, implementation, monitoring and review of departmental schemes of work, teaching strategies, homework, marking, assessment, recording and reporting
• Participating in Departmental Reviews, evaluate the work of the Department and report to the Senior Leadership Team
• Organising the distribution of teaching in the Department and ensure effective communication within the Department and to hold regular teaching and learning focused departmental meetings
• Delegating clearly defined areas of responsibility to other members of the Department and to assist in the assessment and selection of prospective pupils in consultation with the Academic Deputy Head
• Ensuring that all members of the Department have access to professional development opportunities which are consistent with their own needs and those of the Department and School
• You will also be responsible for departmental resources, ensure a safe working environment for staff and pupils, both in the classroom and on educational visits
• Preparing and managing the annual departmental budget and to teach an appropriate period allocation
• Liaising with the teacher responsible for Design & Technology in the Prep School

OTHER DUTIES

• Carry out such duties that may be reasonably required by the Headmistress
• Contribute to the school’s programme of extra-curricular activities
• Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with pupils, parents and colleagues
• Engage actively in the performance review process
• Undertake other reasonable duties related to the job purpose required from time to time
• Be an outstanding practitioner and role model for teaching and learning, displaying a deep understanding of how young people learn
• Follow responsibilities as defined in the Health & Safety Policy
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people with whom s/he comes into contact and adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection Policy
• Support and promote and School’s ethos, aims and objectives.

THE PERSON

Essential:

• Leadership skills
• A good honours degree in a relevant or associated subject
• Experience of teaching Design and Technology across the secondary age range and demonstrable passion for the subject
• Detailed understanding of current developments in the secondary curriculum and assessment
• Experience of curriculum/subject development
• Demonstrable ability to work in a team and work collaboratively
• The ability to lead and motivate a team
• Commitment to further professional development
• Drive and ambition

Desirable:

• a teaching qualification such as a PGCE