JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Head of Technology & Design

REPORTS TO: Principal

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A TEACHER

TEACHERS’ (TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT) REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 1987

Schedule 3 Regulation 5

Additional Duties Head of Technology & Design

Health and Safety

• To take lead responsibility for health and safety within all Technology rooms and workshops in line with EA guidance and relevant legislation.
• To ensure that all practical activities are supported by appropriate and regularly reviewed risk assessments.
• To ensure compliance with regulations relating to machinery and equipment, including maintenance, safe operation, and staff competence.
• To oversee the safe storage, handling, and disposal of materials in accordance with COSHH regulations.
• To ensure all staff and pupils are appropriately trained in safe working practices and the correct use of equipment and PPE.
• To monitor and maintain a safe working environment through regular audits and inspections.
• To investigate and report accidents/incidents and implement corrective actions.
• To manage health and safety documentation and ensure it is inspection-ready.

Conditions of Service

The conditions of service for this post will be in accordance with the Regulations of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.

Additional roles and responsibilities.

We are looking for a dynamic leader and teacher committed to working as part of a team committed to raising standards.

The Head of Department role will require collaboration with a link member of the Senior Leadership team to track, monitor, and evaluate the department’s curriculum model.

Leadership and Management

• To be responsible for the organisation and management of a subject department in accordance with the policies, procedures, and guidelines agreed by school leadership, and to undertake any other duties or tasks related to this position which may be reasonably required by the principal.
• To formulate, implement, monitor, and evaluate Departmental Schemes of Work including, rationale, aims, objectives, staffing, staff development, resources, progression/continuity, differentiation, special needs approach, teaching methods, assessment arrangements, homework policy, cross-curricular themes, inter-subject links, numeracy, literacy, I.C.T., careers education, and evaluation procedures in line with the 4 phase programme.
• To develop, implement, and review regularly, a department improvement plan in line with whole school priorities as outlined in the school development plan.
• To ensure adequate resources are in place to deliver efficiently and effectively the curriculum, to undertake and delegate (when necessary) the requisitioning process.
• To monitor and support the work of a team of Teaching and non-Teaching staff, to create a purposeful working atmosphere in which every member of staff and their work is valued.
• To establish high expectations for all pupils, to monitor their progress, and ensure that appropriate guidance and intervention strategies are implemented and reviewed for improvement.
• To undertake appropriate assessment measures (formative and summative) that aid pupil progress, formal exam sessions throughout and at the end of year fall within this remit. To use varied forms of assessment including teacher observations, collegiate book looks, trusted colleague network, sharing best practice, discussions with students, feedback for improvement, written tests, practical interactive activities, and other structured assessment tools measured to pupil stages of development.
• Plan and organise the curriculum for the subject/related subjects throughout the school, establishing how excellent standards, continuity, and progression can be achieved and sustained.
• Regularly and systematically provide guidance to colleagues on content, methodology, and resources ensuring that all pedagogy is underpinned by evidence-informed research.
• To work collaboratively with their link Senior Leader to ensure appropriate target setting and sharing of effective practice.
• To create a team identity within the department, holding departmental meetings which are purposeful, structured, recorded, tasks delegated, followed up, and evaluated.
• To prioritise, monitor, and review quality teaching and learning within the Department through regular lesson observations and other qualitative and quantitative measurement tools. To provide support and challenge underperformance.
• To liaise with the additional educational needs team to ensure active implementation of strategies to support all pupils to achieve, including the use of IEPS and PLP’s.
• To establish with the Department a coherent system of celebrating student achievement, to create the required ethos of mutual respect and understanding.
• To share with the Senior Leadership Team the responsibility for the professional development of staff as appropriate to their needs.
• To support and advise fellow colleagues in disciplinary action when appropriate and in accordance with the procedures established in School policy.
• To undertake and provide evidence of self-evaluation at departmental and individual basis on a regular basis.
• To complete a yearly analysis of departmental results, identify trends, strategies for improvement, and priority students using data and benchmarking to monitor progress in every child’s learning.
• To lead learning within the department by ensuring there is regular monitoring of on-going improvement, using regular data to track student performance and underachievement.
• Use pupil voice to monitor and evaluate classroom practice using questionnaires, surveys, and verbal feedback.
• To review the qualifications on offer on an annual basis and change if required, to meet the ever-changing profile needs of students.
• To liaise with primary schools and community groups, and coordinate activities to develop strong relationships within the community.
• To teach other subjects as required by the needs of the school.
• To effectively line manage technical support staff and oversee the efficient procurement, maintenance, and allocation of departmental resources and equipment.
• To ensure that all practical activities are appropriately adapted to meet the needs of pupils with additional educational needs, promoting safe and inclusive participation for all learners.
• To promote sustainable practices within the department, including the responsible use of materials and the development of environmentally conscious design approaches.
• To ensure the department is fully prepared for internal and external quality assurance processes, including compliance with ETI expectations and contribution to whole-school self-evaluation.
• To lead the effective integration of digital technologies, including CAD/CAM and e-learning tools, to enhance teaching, learning, and assessment within the department.
• To lead and promote STEM across the department and wider school by fostering strong cross-curricular links with Science and Mathematics, modelling collaborative practice, and supporting the planning and delivery of primary liaison activities that enhance pupil engagement and contribute to school improvement.