Teacher of Design Technology

The Technology Department at Westcliff High School for Boys (WHSB) has been a high performing Department for many years. We have had consistently strong results at GCSE and Advanced Level.  The Department has grown significantly in previous years and we are now looking to increase our capacity to teach Food Preparation & Nutrition. Accordingly, the Department’s facilities have recently undergone a significant refurbishment to modernise the teaching space which has included the provision of a state-of-the-art Food room.  

At present, Food Preparation & Nutrition is taught to Lower School (Years 7-9) pupils and we would consider the possibility of expanding to GCSE provision under appropriate circumstances. The Department requires a person who has the ability to self-manage, shape and promote the subject area with a forward-thinking and modern approach.

The Department plays an important role in the extra-curricular life of the School. We offer a variety of additional clubs which pupils can attend, aimed at those in need of support or extending the more able. Specifically for Food Preparation & Nutrition, we have run a programme of activities for Years 12 and 13 students as part of the School’s Wednesday afternoon Sixth Form programme. In addition, for our Lower School pupils, we offer Cookery Club and The Rotary Young Chef Challenge. 

ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES

The Technology Department is based in a separate building containing two workshops, a computer suite, a Food room and staff work facilities. The building, which was refurbished at a cost of £1.5m in September 2018, has up-to-date facilities and a fully equipped, attractive teaching environment.  Specifically, our Food room has 12 integrated cooking stations, as well as a purpose built demonstration area and two store rooms.  

CURRICULUM

The Lower School syllabus has been carefully designed to encourage independent learning.  The focus is largely on introducing practical cookery skills. Pupils get to experiment with different techniques and common apparatus as they follow recipes to prepare simple dishes based on topics such as basic kitchen skills, healthy takeaways and world cuisines. Through practical experiences, the curriculum also aims to ensure our pupils are well informed about food safety and nutritional value in the choice of ingredients. 

In Year 7, teaching is spread over the academic year whilst in Years 8 and 9, groups are taught as part of a Design & Technology carousel. We use a range of assessment and investigations to introduce, consolidate and extend pupils’ understanding of food preparation and nutrition. We do not attempt to accelerate pupils’ learning, but instead we encourage them to develop a more in-depth understanding of the principles they are studying, and this gives pupils a wider breadth of knowledge. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

TEACHER OF DESIGN TECHNOLOGY -  FOOD PREPARATION & NUTRITION

Job Purpose:

The teacher is required to carry out the general professional duties of a school teacher under the reasonable direction of the Head of Department and Headmaster and to perform such particular duties that from time to time which may reasonably be assigned him/her by the Headmaster. Teachers on the Upper Pay Scale (UPS) will be expected to make broader contribution to the School as a normal part of their work.

We would consider part-time applications (0.8) as well as full-time applications.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The following responsibilities are included in the professional duties which the teacher is required to perform: 

General Duties: 

• to support and promote the School’s general purposes, ethos and Learner Profile; 

• to be familiar with and respect and follow the School’s Policies and Procedures;

• to maintain a good understanding of whole School Evaluation and Development Planning;

• to act as a role model to pupils through always being punctual and well prepared and to maintain appropriate professional relationships and an atmosphere conducive to learning;

• to attend School and Year Assemblies and to carry out a share of supervision duties in accordance with published rotas;

• to contribute actively to the maintenance of the School as an orderly community by upholding the provisions of the School’s Rules and the Pupils’ Code of Conduct;

• to maintain good order and discipline among the pupils, safeguarding their welfare both on School premises and when engaged in authorized activities elsewhere;

• to participate in staff and other meetings relating to the School’s curricular, pastoral or administrative arrangements;

• to assist with covering or taking other classes as and when required (e.g. staff illness) and being available for examination invigilation;

• to communicate and co-operate on educational issues with persons or bodies outside the School as appropriate;

• to contribute to the extra-curricular life of the School as appropriate and attend and support School and House events wherever possible.

Teaching: 

• to ensure that lessons are planned in appropriate detail (considering pupils’ prior attainment) and are prepared and delivered in accordance with the Learner Profile, departmental Schemes of Work and regulatory standards, reinforcing the need for high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils;

• to take account of pupils’ educational needs (differentiating where appropriate), to teach in a manner appropriate to a Grammar School (as outlined in the School’s Guide to Outstanding Teaching), including the setting and marking of work, to be carried out by the pupils in School and elsewhere (homework), according to agreed schedules; 

• to assess, record and report on the development, progress and attainment of pupils in accordance with the School’s policy, in order to ensure pupils fulfil their potential. This record of assessment should be available to the Head of Department or Directors of Studies on request;

• to regularly mark pupils’ work, giving appropriate feedback and keeping records of marks;

• to provide mark lists, grading lists, written reports, internal comments or references relating to individual pupils as the School may require;

• to communicate with Head of Department and Form Tutor regarding the progress of individual pupils, as necessary; 

• to attend Parent Evenings to discuss the progress of pupils and use such occasions to offer constructive advice on what pupils need to do to improve their progress;

• to participate, within the guidelines laid down by the Head of Department, in the evaluation and development of appropriate methods of teaching, syllabuses and materials, writing Schemes of Work as reasonably requested and contributing to the development of departmental policy;

• to assist with displays and publishing of pupils’ work;

• to utilise ICT as an effective tool to aid teaching and other classroom resources as appropriate; 

• to assist with departmental voluntary activities, societies, trips and initiatives.