Head of Art & Design Technology

Catmose College; England; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education institution in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head of Art & Design Technology (Senior Assistant Principal Leadership) to lead a vibrant team at Catmose College. This role includes overseeing a diverse curriculum while managing a team of 10 teachers and 2 technicians. The successful candidate will thrive in enhancing teaching quality and supporting staff development, ensuring exceptional educational outcomes for students. This is a chance to contribute significantly to the school's future while leading exciting extracurricular programs.

Benefits

Fully funded private health insurance

Free staff gym access

Free parking

Relocation expenses support

Funded Master's scheme

Priority admission for children of staff

Flexible working

Subsidised restaurant

Cycleshare scheme

Holidays outside usual term-time pattern

Qualifications

• Proven track record of excellence in leading Art and/or Design Technology.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to motivate and develop a talented team.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting student welfare.
• Drive to enhance curriculum and extracurricular offering.
• Ambitious leader looking to lead a large team towards headship.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 10 specialist teachers and 2 technicians.
• Deliver and support the curriculum across multiple subjects.
• Enhance and future-plan curriculum offerings.
• Provide robust support for staff at all career stages.
• Oversee extracurricular programs and trips.
• Collaborate with other Heads/Faculty for best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Curriculum development

Safeguarding

Job description

Position Overview

Position Title: Head of Art & Design Technology (Senior Assistant Principal Leadership). Pay Scale: L9 – L13 (£63,070 – £69,596 per annum, FTE). Start Date: September 2026. Full or part‑time applications considered.

Art and Design Technology is well established, popular and successful. Over the last decade we have expanded our offer, invested in new facilities and prepared students for the creative industries. Our current head of art is retiring after a decade of service, leaving the department in a strong position.

As Head of Art and Design Technology you will lead a team of 10 specialist teachers and two technicians to deliver an exciting curriculum in GCSE Art, BTEC Art and Design Practice, GCSE Graphics & Photography, GCSE Design Technology, GCSE Food and Nutrition, Vocational Technical Award in Engineering and Hospitality & Catering across Catmose College and Harington School. You will also lead the future development of these courses, ensuring outstanding teaching, robust support for staff at all career stages and exceptional outcomes for students.

Our extracurricular offer is vibrant, with art and design as a key pillar of the Electives programme. Students have access to model making, pottery, building e‑racing cars, and a range of trips, from local print works to a week in London exploring the arts scene, and even a photography tour of Iceland.

We embrace an ethos where students are at the centre of decision making and staff are given opportunities to grow professionally.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 10 specialist teachers and 2 technicians across two schools.
• Deliver and support the curriculum for GCSE Art, BTEC Art & Design Practice, GCSE Graphics & Photography, GCSE Design Technology, GCSE Food & Nutrition, Vocational Technical Award in Engineering, and Hospitality & Catering.
• Enhance and future‑plan curriculum offerings, ensuring outstanding teaching and exceptional student outcomes.
• Provide robust support for staff at all career stages.
• Lead and oversee the extracurricular programme, including model making, pottery, e‑racing car projects and national/international trips.
• Collaborate with other Heads/Faculty to share best practice and promote interdisciplinary opportunities.
• Maintain safeguarding and health & safety standards across all facilities and activities.

Qualifications

• A proven track record of excellence in leading Art and/or Design Technology.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to motivate and develop a talented team.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting student welfare.
• A drive to enhance our curriculum and extracurricular offer.
• An ambitious leader looking to lead a large team of staff whilst developing their whole school experience as a step towards headship.

Benefits

• Fully funded private health insurance.
• Free staff gym access.
• Free parking.
• Relocation expenses support for hard‑to‑recruit subjects.
• Vast range of staff training including a funded Master's scheme.
• Primary, secondary and academic sixth‑form teaching opportunities.
• Priority admission for children of staff to the College.
• Flexible working; part‑time applicants welcomed (at least 0.8 contract).
• A broad range of opportunities to engage in extracurricular trips and activities.
• Subsidised restaurant and complimentary lunch on training days.
• Cycleshare scheme salary sacrifice for bike purchases.
• Holidays outside usual term‑time pattern, including a two‑week autumn break and an early summer holiday.

How to Apply

Apply online via the Rutland Federation website or email Stuart Williams, Principal, Catmose College, Huntsmans Drive, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6RP or [e-mail]. Please write a letter of application no more than two sides of A4 and complete all sections of the application form. Provide the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e‑mail addresses of two professional referees. Provide proof of identity and qualifications gained. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

Applicants are not required to submit CVs. The closing date is Sunday 18 January 2026.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates looking for a variety of flexible working arrangements, including part‑time working and job sharing. The Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students in our care and expects all staff to share this commitment. We provide safeguarding training to all staff annually, and all staff are responsible for ensuring safeguarding, health and safety policies are implemented in line with Federation policy and legislation. See our Safeguarding Policy online.

This is a regulated position involving regular contact with children and young people. Under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 it is an offence to apply if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. This position is also exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.