Head of Design Technology

Role: Head of Design Technology

Academy: Outwood Academy City Fields

Start Date: 01/01/2027

Salary (Actual Salary): £53,586 to £59,137

Working Pattern: Full Time

Are you a visionary educator ready to lead a subject department, providing clear, cohesive direction and inspiring high achievement? Join us as a Head of Department, where you will communicate a clear purpose and vision, motivate colleagues, and implement whole-Academy initiatives to ensure your department meets ambitious academic targets. This role is designed for someone who models the Academy's values, promotes innovative teaching strategies, and is dedicated to securing continuous improvement and quality outcomes for all students.

Welcome from the Principal:

Being part of Outwood Academy City Fields means bringing high-quality opportunities and experiences to our diverse, multicultural school in the heart of Wakefield.

We seek someone who can provide meaningful engagement and help all students, staff, and visitors thrive. Anyone taking on this role should be prepared to challenge themselves to meet the needs of our diverse community.

As Ofsted noted, our actions are directed and guided by putting ‘students first.’ Leaders set a strong example of high ambition, which is mirrored by all staff. We want the very best for our pupils in whatever walk of life they engage in.

About the Department:

Our vibrant DT department is passionate about delivering a rich, dynamic curriculum, from hands-on practical cooking in our meticulously organised Food room to creative engineering and product design across KS3. We are a close-knit, driven team with big ambitions for our students and exciting, long-term plans to evolve our curriculum offerings.

• Overview: The departments consist of 3 specialist teaching staff and a DT Technician.
  
• Commitment to Design Technology: We are committed to the delivery and longevity of DT in our curriculum. Over the past decade we have led subject changes and consistently strive for good results for our students.
  
  

Your Role as a Head of Design Technology:

Deliver Excellence: Craft high-quality, engaging lessons that captivate and challenge students, using resources pre-created for you by our dedicated director team.
Inspire Creativity: Develop exciting and inspiring lesson plans that make learning Design Technology an unforgettable experience.
Data-Driven Impact: Assess student progress and utilise data to tailor your teaching, ensuring each student reaches their full potential.
Safe and Supportive Environment: Foster a positive classroom culture where students feel safe, supported, and inspired to excel.
Build Connections: Establish positive relationships with fellow staff, students, and the wider community.

Bring your energy and expertise to a school where your dedication will be valued, supported, and celebrated.

The Head of Department is responsible for communicating a clear purpose and vision while providing cohesive leadership and direction to the Department/Faculty. This leader models the Academy's values, promotes high standards through effective teaching, and is accountable for implementing the Department Development Plan/Self-Evaluation Form (SEF) to secure continuous improvement.

Essential qualifications required are a Degree in the relevant subject and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Candidates must demonstrate a good understanding of their subject's secondary curriculum (Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5), knowledge of current departmental issues, and understanding of school improvement and Ofsted inspection programmes. Essential experience includes leading or supporting the leadership of a department, successful teaching across all key stages, and evidence of managing/leading a new initiative.

Required skills encompass being an outstanding classroom practitioner with a clear vision, possessing outstanding relationships with students and staff, and the ability to analyze data to develop rapid improvement intervention strategies.

• To view the person specification Click Here