Head of Design and Technology (Mat Cover)

D&T is a very popular subject and the successful candidate should be able to develop courses for the teaching of D&T at Key stage 3, GCSE and A level. All pupils study D&T at key stage 3 and it is delivered in a double lesson per week during the year in rotation with Cookery and Nutrition. At GCSE approximately 1/3 of pupils study the subject and a number select it for study at A level.  Since making a co-ed transition we expect this to be an area of growth and are already planning for increased investment into the current facilities at Dunottar. The D&T department relocated at the start of this academic year and boasts a well-equipped workshop, CAD/graphics room and prep room. CAM equipment includes a laser cutter, CNC router, 3D printer and vinyl cutter. 

We seek to appoint a candidate with outstanding qualities of leadership; one who has the vision, enthusiasm and energy to develop the Design and Technology department whilst also contributing to the exciting journey Dunottar is on. The post offers an exciting challenge for someone with initiative and imagination to help shape the identity of a leading Design and Technology department in this forward thinking school. Applications are invited from well-qualified and talented teachers. 

Dunottar School values the highest level of professionalism in its Heads of Department.  It is expected that all HoDs will display a high level of knowledge and understanding of their subject area, and communicate this enthusiastically.  Heads of Department should have high expectations of the members of their department and the students being taught within the department.  It is the responsibility of the HoD to ensure that pupils being taught within the department encounter a stimulating and positive learning environment.  HoDs should inspire confidence and trust. 

Specific responsibilities include: 

Managing Pupil Learning and Achievement 

• Ensuring that  lessons  within  your  department  are  innovative,  relevant  and  exciting  through departmental  preparation  and  planning  and  through  short lesson observations at least twice every half term.
• Keeping abreast of current thinking and development in the subject area.
• Ensuring all  members  of  the  department  are  teaching  to  the  schemes  of  work  and  the examination specifications. 
• Making sure that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress. 

Leading and Developing Colleagues 

• Providing vision and leadership for the department. 
• Creating an  effective  team  where  members  of  your  department  feel  supported  and appropriately challenged. 
• Facilitating a regular exchange of ideas within your department e.g. reading groups, clubs, trips. 
• Ensuring that  members  of  the  department  get  an  appropriate  range  of  experience  within  the department. 
• Ensuring communication is good within the department and across departments. 

Organisational and Financial Awareness 

• Submitting an annual departmental budget to the Headmaster. 
• Controlling departmental spending through the year to remain on budget. 
• Ensuring the department is effectively resourced. 
• Controlling the departmental INSET budget. 

Contribution to Pastoral, Co-Curricular and School Objectives 

• Ensuring the department  offers  an  appropriate  range  of  dynamic  curriculum  enrichment  and extra-curricular activities for pupils. 
• Ensuring students are nurtured and supported by you and all members of your department. 
• Ensuring that all pupils feel valued and fully involved in the lessons you and your department deliver. 
• Take part in the co-curricular life of the school. 

Professional Development and Training 

• Ensuring that you remain up to date within your subject. 
• Monitoring and targeting the departmental INSET budget. 
• Acting as  an  appraiser,  where  appropriate  and  being  aware  of  members  of  the  department’s INSET targets and directing them where necessary. 

Administration 

• Ensuring coursework management and moderation takes place. 
• Ensuring schemes of work are up to date and relevant. 
• Undertaking the annual subject review with the Headmaster. 
• Completing the departmental page of the School Development Plan.
• Leading and chairing departmental meetings and ensuring that minutes are produced. 
• Co-ordinating Internal Exams. 
• Co-ordinating support staff where necessary. 
• Attending HoDs meetings. 

Health and Safety 

• Ensuring that Health and Safety requirements of the school are adhered to. 
• Co-ordinating the  department  to  ensure  that  departmental  areas  provide  a  stimulating environment for teaching. 
• Signing off on risk assessments produced by members of the department. 

Resources 

• Ensure teaching is enhanced through a range of relevant resources 

Person Specification  - Head of Design and Technology 

Professional Qualifications & Skills 

• A record of good academic achievement including a relevant honours degree  
• PGCE/QTS  
• Excellent oral and written English 

Personal Qualities 

• High levels of personal and professional integrity 
• Commitment to outstanding teaching 
• High degrees of self-confidence, personal energy and dynamism 
• Personal warmth, good rapport with pupils, colleagues and parents 
• Excellent organisational skills 
• Appropriate levels of personal presentation 
• Confident use of ICT and use of iPads in the classroom  

Teaching and Learning 

• Excellent knowledge of the relevant curriculum 
• Evidence of creative and innovative approach to teaching & learning including the appropriate use of ICT 
• Ability to teach and use CAD/CAM and use associated software such as CorelDRAW 
• Commitment to improving, monitoring and evaluating teaching and learning 
• Ability to make all pupils feel valued and involved in your lessons 

Philosophy and Ethos 

• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people 
• Be willing to contribute to our busy extra-curricular programme of activities involving trips and clubs 
• High expectations for pupil attainment, personal development and conduct 
• Commitment to best practice in pastoral support and student welfare