Head of Design and Technology

The Directors of The Gardener Schools Group have established Kew House School in the conviction that there exists an opportunity for a different kind of independent secondary school in London - academically demanding but with a modern approach to selection criteria, the flexibility of the curriculum, the shape of the school day and term and recognition of creativity and talent.

The school opened with 63 students in September 2013 and now has 550 with nearly 600 expected for September 2020. We opened for internal and external sixth form candidates for the first time in September 2016. The school will grow to full capacity over the next two or three years, with 625 students aged 11-18.

The successful candidate will be a well-qualified and enthusiastic graduate teacher. They will have the opportunity to further develop and build the department in this relatively new school. This is a full-time post from September 2020.

Design and Technology is a very important element of the school’s curriculum. The founding Headmaster is a Design and Technology specialist and has ensured the subject is high profile and very well resourced. The school is equipped with outstanding facilities in the form of two specialist areas and a large materials preparation area. A workshop is fully equipped with a range of materials, processing equipment and a CAD CAM room with a suite of 24 PCs and 2 and 3D software. This area is also equipped to a very high standard, including a range of 3D printing machines, a large laser cutter, 3-axis engraving and milling and printer sublimation. The department has full-time technician support. We have an excellent new Food Studies room and the successful candidate must be able to teach Key Stage 3 Food Studies.

A Head of Faculty post may be available for the right candidate. Please indicate if you are interested in this level of responsibility. 

The faculty consists of Art and Design and Food Technology. Both these areas are well led and produce outstanding results and all levels. The school operates a carrousel system with 3-hour sessions moved on a half-term basis between D&T, CAD/CAM, Food and Art. We offer GCSE Product Design from Year 9 onwards. The core subjects receive 4.5 hours per week of contact time whilst option subjects have three hours, in a single session in the case of the Design subjects. Product Design has a very healthy uptake at GCSE and increasingly so at A level as our Sixth Form grows. 

After-school clubs offer great scope for extension activities. This includes a popular formula 24 club. Trips and visits play a large part in the students’ experience.

The school operates its own pay scales consistent with national teacher pay scales and will offer salary commensurate with experience and the nature of this role. 

We are a selective school, but choose students across the ability range, including students with SEN. Our value-added scores are very high.

The successful candidate will be a qualified and enthusiastic graduate teacher with the ability to inspire students. The post holder will have the opportunity to help in the growth and development of the department. As Head of Department, it will be essential that the candidate is an outstanding teacher with the ability and enthusiasm to teach at GCSE and A level and to keep the subject moving forward.

Staff Development 

The school is committed to staff development and the position will provide a good springboard for further promotion within the school and beyond. All staff will be encouraged to attend INSET courses and will be provided with ample professional development opportunities.

The Recruitment Process

Candidates are required to submit a completed application form together with a supporting letter of application and details of two referees. One referee should be able to comment on the teaching skills of the candidate, and one must be the current or most recent employer. References will be taken prior to interview. Candidates must provide original documents as proof of identity at interview.

Closing date: Friday 24th April 2020 at 12.00.

Short-listed candidates will be contacted by telephone/email and asked to attend an interview by arrangement.

The school welcomes applications from teachers in the state sector. The majority of staff at Kew House have worked in the state sector.

All appointments are made in accordance with our equal opportunities policy and applicants should let us know of any special needs they may have.

Kew House School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and questions will be asked at interview to assess suitability of candidate to work with our children. All appointments are subject to satisfactory Criminal Record (DBS) check.