Head of Design and Technology

Head of Design and Technology 

Reports to: The Head of the Senior School 

Wellington College is committed to providing world-class educational opportunities in the city of Tianjin. We seek to recruit and develop staff members who are fully engaged with the stated vision of the school – [to] “aspire to create a caring, international community that develops well-rounded individuals with strong values and the skills to thrive within an ever-changing global society” and who are guided in their professional and personal conduct by the core Wellington values – courage, respect, integrity, kindness and responsibility. In this way, the post holder should regard the following outline of the job description not as a checklist of things to achieve, but as a starting point for their growth in the role.

THE DEPARTMENT

The DT department is a well-resourced facility, comprising three fulltime teachers and a technician situated in a suite of four teaching rooms. There is also a room equipped with a circular saw, band, thicknesser planer and dark room for screen printing available for the use of staff.

The department teaches textiles and workshop-based product design throughout key stage 3 loosely following the UK curriculum. Projects in the workshop at KS3 focus on working with soft, hard and manufactured woods, thermoplastics, electronics, pewter and aluminium using CAD and CAM wherever possible. Techsoft2D designV3 is used to interface with two laser machines and the department is developing the use of resin-based 3D printing during the academic year 2020 – 21. Lesson time is shared 50/50 with textiles where various surface decoration techniques and construction techniques are experimented with leading to fabric-based product manufacture.

At Key Stage 4 for 2020 -2022 the department offers Cambridge International 0445 Resistant Materials and Edexcel Art Design Textiles.

In recent years, students have been entered for Edexcel 9-1 Product Design – Timbers and Textiles with excellent 100% success pass grades. The change from Edexcel DT to Cambridge International 0445 has occurred as the department seeks to cater for specific language needs of the different cohorts opting for and studying Design Technology and Textiles. The ability to be flexible with the cohorts coming through school has been in part the reason for the success as it seeks to target the needs of the learner to the appropriate assessment and specification to teach.

Over the last 4 years 2016 – 2020 the department ran Edexcel GCSE 1DT0 as there was a really good group of international students who had come through from Y7 and they sat the first GCSE 9-1 in 2019 with tremendous success in both textiles and timber with x3 grade 9, x1 grade 8, x1 grade 6, x1 grade 5 out of the 5 students who sat textiles the 2018 – 2020 course the department achieved x1 grade 9, x2 grade 6, x1 grade 5. For 2018 – 2020, 9 students sat Cambridge International Product Design 0445 with x3 A*, x1 grade A, x4 grade B and x1 grade C.

At Key Stage 5, the department offers Edexcel 9DT0 Product Design and Edexcel Art Design again with outstanding 100% pass grades. The 2017 – 2019 cohort for the Product Design x1 grade A, x3 grade B and x1 grade C. Art Design Textiles equally successful with 2017 – 2019 cohort achieving x2 A, x2 B, x1 C with the 2018 – 2020 cohort x1 A*, x2 A’s and x1 C. Textiles is extremely popular with increasing numbers opting for the subject particularly native Chinese speakers new to the school who prefer the continual assessment model over the written examination GCE DT option.

Value added for GCSE in the department has consistently been among the best in the school with last year being +2.86.

Capitation is favourable with 40,000 RMB per annum plus opportunities to bid for CAPEX funded products an option. This day to day running of which is managed by an enthusiastic, efficient and competent Chinese speaking technician supervised by the HOD.

General Role Description:

The Head of Design and Technology has an overall responsibility for ensuring the leadership, academic outcomes and monitoring of the quality of teaching and learning in all Senior School Design and Technology courses in accordance with the policies and procedures of the school.

The Head of Design and Technology is responsible for enabling departmental teachers to carry out practical work that is safe, meaningful, and enjoyable for learners. To this effect, the Head of Design and Technology is also responsible for line managing the technician and facilitating the purchasing, safe storage, maintenance and replenishment of equipment and resources.  The Head of Design and Technology is responsible for managing the departmental budget in line with the school’s policies and procedures.

The Head of Design and Technology has a responsibility for teaching innovative lessons to classes ranging from year 7 to year 13, including all the normal professional responsibilities that accompany their role as class teacher.

The Head of Design and Technology has a responsibility for teaching innovative lessons to classes ranging from year 7 to year 13, including all the normal professional responsibilities that accompany their role as class teacher.

The Head of Design and Technology must have a clear vision and goals for the Design and Technology department that are consistent with the development plan of the whole school. The Head of Design and Technology should be able to develop and implement a plan to achieve their goals for the Design and Technology Department drawing on the skills, knowledge and experience of the team.

2 Knowledge, Experience and Profile

Required Qualifications / Skills:

• At least two years’ experience in leading an academic department, with a proven track record in raising standards and developing people

• A relevant degree (BA/BSc) and professional teaching qualification

• Recent teaching experience of A-level and GCSE/IGCSE Design and Technology

• A passion for Design and Technology and the ability to share this with as wide a range of students as possible

• Excellent subject knowledge and an interest in current developments in Design and Technology

• Fluency in written and spoken English

• The desire to put the wellbeing each student at the heart of what they do

• Excellent inter-personal skills

• Honesty, integrity, compassion, flexibility and a good sense of humour

• Strong organizational, self-management and problem-solving skills

Desirable Qualifications / Skills:

• Experience teaching the Cambridge International
       Examinations IGCSE Design and

• Technology

• Experience using ICT to enrich students learning

• Experience teaching and mentoring EAL students

Important Note:

“Aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.”

ITFCP Statement of Commitment

Please note this position is subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure. Wellington College International Tianjin is committed to equality and diversity. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.