Head of Department – Design Technology
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
Kent
- New
- Salary:
- MPS / UPS plus TLR 1
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 1st April 2025 / 1st September 2025
- Apply by:
- 5 January 2025
Job overview
We have a fantastic opportunity for an innovative and energetic Head of Design and Technology (DT) to lead our successful department and subject withing TWGSB.
There has been major investment in the department over the last few years, utilising new industry standard machinery. Lessons take place in dedicated DT workshops, with facilities which are currently unrivalled in the area and would be considered rare for schools country wide.
Across both of our campuses, we are currently equipped with an excellent balance of traditional and cutting-edge technology. At each location, we are currently running 3D print labs, comprising of 10 rapid printers, we also have 2 industrial CNC machines and 2 industrial laser cutters. Using this equipment in conjunction with our industry standard CAD packages (Solidworks, Sketchup for Schools, Vcarve and CURA), it has allowed us to deal with all aspects of design innovation from rapid prototyping through to full scale production.
Alongside this, we also have an extremely well resourced traditional workshop spaces and a lot of new investment in a wide range of relevant cordless equipment. Ultimately, the facilities we now have will help define DT education going forward.
The DT Department currently offer Resistant Materials in years 7, 8 and 9 and Graphics and Sustainability in years 8 and 9. Students can currently choose to take GCSE and A-Level courses in Graphic Design or Resistant Materials. We currently have five DT teachers and two technicians. The successful candidate will teach the subject from Year 7 through to A Level. At Key Stage 4 and 5, the department follows the AQA syllabus.
We can offer you the opportunity to work with highly able young people in a supportive, well-equipped and forward-thinking school. We offer a friendly and inclusive working environment and the chance to be part of a fantastic multidisciplinary team, who work hard and support each other to deliver personalised, bespoke education & care. You will have further support of an Assistant Headteacher.
The main campus for TWGSB is in Tunbridge Wells. However, you may be required to work at other campuses connected to TWGSB.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is an expanding and rapidly improving selective grammar school. It is undergoing a period of transformational change benefitting from a multi-million pound investment in Tunbridge Wells and a brand new building at our Sevenoaks campus, which opened in September 2021.
Staff will benefit from a positive working environment, with strong support for professional development and specialist teaching rooms. We aim for high standards and the pursuit of academic excellence, helping every student to reach their full potential through the development of skills, concepts and knowledge, within the framework of a caring community. Relationships between staff and students are based on trust, mutual respect and a determination to succeed.
Please note that we will only accept CV’s if they are accompanied by an application form, which can be found on our website: https://www.twgsb.org.uk/187/vacancies We shall review applications as we receive them so apply early to avoid delay!
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this post
Attached documents
About Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
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- Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
- St. John's Road, Tunbridge Wells
- Kent
- TN4 9XB
- United Kingdom
Headteacher: Amanda Simpson
Location: Tunbridge Wells (TN4 9XB)
Type of School: Community Boys Grammar School
Kent Age range: 11 - 18
Gender: Boys with mixed Sixth Form
Number of students: 1388 plus 338 at Sixth Form
Average class size: 30 in KS3, 23 in KS4, 15 in Sixth Form
Number of teaching and support staff: 160
Date school established: 1956
External recognition: Good Ofsted and Investors in Careers Award
Performance data and Exam results
The School Context
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, also known Boys Grammar or TWGSB was originally founded in 1956 as a technical school and later became a grammar school in 1982. It is one of the largest grammar schools in England, with over 1500 students and approximately 150 staff split across two sites.
Whilst we are Boys Grammar School, we warmly welcome female students in the Sixth Form.
Our philosophy at TWGSB is that education is about personal development and should give young people every opportunity to explore and learn about the world around them.
Our values are: Respect, Excellence, Determination.
Our vision is “To be the best selective boys’ school in West Kent”.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys offers Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and other subject specialist training through the Kaizen Teaching School Alliance.
Curriculum Intent
At Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, our curriculum vision is to empower our students not only to achieve academic excellence but also to develop into global citizens who will go on to make a positive contribution to society.
We encourage all students ‘to achieve personal excellence in a wide range of academic, cultural, humanitarian and sporting activities’ and develop ‘the life skills and sense of personal responsibility they need to realise their full potential.’ We recognise that this goes beyond the basic requirements of success in exams. At TWGSB we seek to offer a wider curriculum that is rich and challenging.
In order to achieve our vision, we hope to empower students to:
- Achieve academic excellence
- Develop into global citizens
- Make a positive contribution to society
- Flourish as individuals
- Experience a broad curriculum with a diverse range of intra-and extra-curricular activities
- Succeed in public examinations for their next steps
Benefits
All TWGSB staff are highly valued for the role they play in the lives of the students.
Staff benefit from a positive working environment, with strong support for professional development and specialist teaching rooms. We aim for high standards and the pursuit of academic excellence, helping every student to reach their full potential through the development of skills, concepts and knowledge, within the framework of a caring community. Relationships between staff and students are based on trust, mutual respect and a determination to succeed.
TWGSB is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful work environment based on dignity and trust, and one that is free from discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation. This includes a work environment that is free from sexual harassment and related unlawful behaviours. TWGSB has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment in the workplace including harassment by or against employees, pupils, parents, governors, trustees and other third parties, including contractors, suppliers, inspectors and volunteers.
To recognise this hard work and dedication, there are certain benefits that the school provides for all members of staff. These include:
· Teacher/Support Staff Pension contribution
· Extensive CPD training programme
· Free Flu Vaccinations
· Employee Assistant Programme via Health Assure
· Free Eye Tests
· Paid Moving Day
· Use of school Sports Centre
· Access to free will (for 2023)
· Car Parking on site
· Our primary commitment will always be to meet the needs of our students but we are also committed to offering our staff a full range of flexible and family friendly working practices.
· Training and development opportunities
· Access to Kent Rewards (inc Cycle2work, Adult Education discount, discounted high street cards and vouchers at over 1,200 national and local retailers)
· Access to health and wellbeing resources
· Childcare/nursery in site adjacent to school
The School provides Employees with access to a number of services to support Employee wellbeing:
· Employee Assistance Programme
· Occupational Health
· Counselling Support
· Mental Health First Aiders
· Mediation
· Coaching and Mentoring
Campus Addresses
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
St John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9XB
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
Seal Hollow Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3SL
Living and working in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks
Tunbridge Wells and its immediate environment presents an ideal location in which to live and work. The elegance of the Pantiles with its variety of excellent shops and restaurants, the beauty of the surrounding countryside, especially the High Weald, and the wide range of cultural and sporting facilities ensure that there is much to encourage even the most dedicated professional to enjoy some relaxation. The surrounding villages provide excellent residential property within a commutable distance.
The historic and ancient town of Sevenoaks is closer to London than Tunbridge Wells. It is another popular place to live, offering many of the opportunities of the capital while located in the Garden of Kent. Lose yourself in wonderful Knole Park, with its wandering wild deer and historic house and end up on Sevenoaks high street in one of its lovely restaurants or cafes.
Both Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks are within 45 minutes of London by train, and are well served by Gatwick Airport and the ferry ports for international travel.
More info can be found here: Welcome to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (twgsb.org.uk)
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