Head of Design and Technology

Head of Design and Technology
Application Pack

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

About us

Gosfield School was established at Cut Hedge Park in 1929 when the daughter of the  textile
manufacturer, George Courtauld  purchased the land and buildings from the executors of her
late father’s estate.

Constance Cicely Courtauld started a Senior Boy’s Boarding School the same year, with
students relocating from Leigh Hall School in Southend. In 1944, Cicely gifted the School and
estate to Headmaster John Turner who continued the work started by  Cicely. In 1967, the
School became a charitable trust and in 1986, the School became co-educational.

A Prep School was opened in 1989 and we welcomed our first Sixth Form students in 1994. In
2006, Gosfield School Ltd purchased the freehold of the estate and buildings from the Turner
family. In 2015, we opened Meadow Court, a purpose built Prep School, which is home to a
Nursery, Reception Class up to Year 5, within the grounds of our 110 acre estate. We continue
to develop and upgrade our infrastructure, we opened our  Forest School and Cricket Pavilion
in May 2017. Our Cricket Academy welcomed its first Scholars in Summer 2018, we opened our
new Design Technology workshop in January 2019 and undertook the design led redecoration
of the Manor House. The construction of our new Performing Arts Centre was opened by
Denise van Outen in May 2023.

We are committed to the development of our young people in an environment where all
students feel valued and are able to achieve excellence in all aspects of life. We have
non-academic entry criteria and consistently achieve outstanding outcomes when compared to
Schools with academic entry criteria. Cicely’s founding principles for the School were to create
a family environment in which young people would flourish and we remain faithful to those
principles today.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

Our Principal

Mr Rod Jackson

Mr Jackson became Principal of Gosfield School in
September 2021. He has a wealth of experience, having
spent more than 30 years working in Independent
Schools in Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom. He
is a passionate promoter of an entirely holistic approach
to learning, in which a rigorous approach to academic
education, an outstanding programme of extra-
curricular opportunities, alongside excellent pastoral
care and personal development combine to create a
world class educational experience for each child. Mr
Jackson believes that it is essential not only that we
educate our students to be global citizens but that we
ensure they have the skills and the desire to change the
world for the better, as future leaders.

Before joining Gosfield, Mr Jackson served as Head of
The International Community School in Marylebone and
prior to that he was Head of Secondary at The King
Alfred School in Hampstead, earlier leadership roles
include Head of Classics at Cranleigh School and Senior
Housemaster at Aldenham School. Mr Jackson holds a
BA (Hons) degree in Classics from the University of
Adelaide and a MEd from the University of Cambridge.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

The Design and Technology Department at Gosfield School

The DT department is a relatively new addition to the Gosfield School Curriculum. We have a purpose
built well equipped workshop designed for pupils who each have an individual workspace. The workshop
contains traditional wood working machines such as: a bandsaw, bob sander, fret saws and a vacuum
former, but also boasts CAD/CAM facilities for 3D printing, laser cutting and vinyl cutting. Supporting
spaces include an IT suite with a clean space for graphic design work, 10 sewing machines and large
cutting table for pattern drafting and textile design.

The department has developed a reputation for promoting excellence and challenge for pupils and the
subject has grown enormously in popularity since its introduction in 2017. There have been recent
competition successes for STEM club students and Design and Technology is a popular option subject at
GCSE where pupils follow the AQA Design and Technology qualification. We have produced excellent
results since the development of this department and the recent exam results were very good with a
positive value added for our students. At A-level DT offers small class sizes with pupils following the AQA
Design and Technology: 3D Product Design qualification. A choice of GCSE and A Level boards and topics
are at the discretion of the Head of Department and can be changed with SLT agreement.

At Gosfield School pupils begin their DT experience in year 3 with a double lesson per week on a half
termly carousel. In Key stage 2 pupils get to know the workshop space and begin to use hand tools as well
as sewing machines before progressing on to workshop machinery and soldering irons. We are keen for
the pupils to work both collaboratively on projects; producing a joint outcome as well as exploring
individual projects with personal outcomes. This early intervention develops keen and skilled pupils for
study at KS3 and on to GCSE level and beyond. Typical Key stage 3 and 4 projects include: pencil holders,
lamps, bug hotels, e-textiles safety jackets, speakers, pencil cases and more. At Gosfield School we feel
that pupils should experience and work within all disciplines of DT from an early age and consequently
we produce a diverse range of outcomes and work in a wide range of materials. This is an exciting
opportunity to join a small but highly successful department as it continues to grow and develop.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

Expectations (Job description) of a classroom teacher
·   To plan, prepare and teach lessons across the age range according to the timetable and maintaining

records of work covered for each set taught;

·   To write schemes of work and devise shared resources for the agreed syllabuses;
·   To prepare pupils for tests and examinations, using revision programmes, past examination papers, and

other resources as appropriate;

·   To set homework on a regular basis, following the School’s homework timetable and according to

guidelines established by the Principal and Assistant Principal Academic;

·   To mark pupils’ work regularly and to keep a record of each pupil’s achievements in a mark book;
·   To monitor pupils’ attendance at lessons and to follow up absences in writing with the Assistant
  Principal Pastoral;
·   To write reports and submit grades as per the deadlines set in the School reporting and assessment

calendar;

·   To be available to support those pupils who need additional help with their academic studies and/or to

offer extension work to those in need of further challenge;

·   To keep classrooms, laboratories and equipment used in good order and to report any damage or faults

to the appropriate person;

·   To contribute to the overall work of the School, e.g. participating in fieldtrips or exchange visits,

covering classes for absent colleagues as directed by the Vice Principal or Principal;

·   In the case of absence, to notify the Vice Principal and to set work for classes needing to be covered

whenever possible;

·   To attend all staff meetings called by the Principal and Assistant Principal Academic and parents’

meetings;

·   To keep abreast of developments in his/her subject area and to support the department’s contribution
to the relevant targets of the School Development Plan by attending appropriate INSET and other
courses.

.  To be responsible for Health and Safety in their lessons.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

Head of Design and Technology
In addition to the Teacher Job Description, the Head of Department/Subject Co-ordinator has the following
responsibilities:

To be responsible for the support and academic development of pupils within the department.

In consultation with other members of the department to be responsible for producing an annual
Department Development Plan which
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Clearly identifies targets for the department consistent with the Whole School Development Plan
Forms the basis for budget requirements relating to capitation, INSET funds and other resources
Clearly identifies professional development requirements

To be responsible for ensuring that all resources, within the department are used to enhance the
effectiveness of teaching and learning.  To engage in such Quality Assurance procedures required to monitor
and develop the quality of teaching and learning within the department.

Curriculum
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To be responsible for preparing teaching materials, curriculum outlines and schemes of work
appropriate for implementing the curriculum
To identify knowledge, skills and understanding appropriate to the department with contributes to the
overall learning experience of pupils
To determine how such knowledge, skills and understanding might develop through the curriculum
To ensure that pupils acquire knowledge, skills and understanding progressively and at an appropriate
pace
To be responsible for ensuring that the department has prepared teaching materials and schemes of
work appropriate for implementing the curriculum
To ensure the appropriate differentiation of the curriculum to meet the needs of all levels of pupil
ability, including Able, Gifted and Talented
In consultation with other Department Heads, to contribute to the development of relevant
cross-curricular themes and other opportunities for extending the work of the department outside the
classroom (e.g. projects, primary liaison)
To promote the spiritual and moral development of pupils
To ensure appropriate guidance and assistance is sought in order to meet pupils’ Special Learning
needs
To support Form Tutors by drawing to their attention those pupils who are consistently underachieving
and are not responding to the department’s learning strategies
To be responsible for the production/upkeep of a departmental handbook
To be responsible for promoting the department through displays, publicity materials for the media,
parents etc.
To represent the department at parent information and consultation evenings.
To be responsible for the Health and Safety in the Department.

Assessment
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To  be  responsible  for  developing  appropriate  assessment  recording  and  reporting  policies  within  the
department which meet whole school requirements
To  be  responsible  for  implementing  whole  school  policies  relating  to  the  effectiveness  of  learning
across the department
To  be  responsible  for  ensuring  that  the  highest  standards  of  teaching  and  learning  take  place  in  the
department

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Knowing every child, nurturing potential

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To  be  responsible  for  the  appropriateness  and  implementation  of  teaching  and  revision  strategies
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adequately prepare pupils for internal tests and public examinations
To  be  able  to  review  assessment  outcomes  and  data  and  use  these  to  support  action  planning  and
interventions for the future.

6.  Management

To be responsible to the Assistant Principal, Academic
To lead Department meetings
To  be  responsible  for  convening  regular  meetings of  the  department  if  appropriate,  to  allow  for  full
discussion  of  pertinent  issues,  standing  agenda  items  and  an  appreciation  of  the  various  tasks  that
need to be completed
To involve staff in taking responsibility for aspects of the department’s development plan and provide
appropriate advice and assistance
To  ensure  that  staff  are  aware  of  their  professional  responsibilities  and  uphold  the  policies  of  the
school
To  be  aware  of  the  needs  and  skills  of  staff  within  the  department  and  seek  ways  to  enhance  their
professional development

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Behaviour
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To encourage pupils to follow the school's Code of Conduct in order that they develop self esteem, self
discipline and respond accordingly
To  be  responsible,  with  members  of  the  department,  for  monitoring  the  conduct  of  pupils  and  take
action in consultation with the appropriate Form Tutor

Attendance

To be responsible with members of the department for recording and monitoring the attendance and
 punctuality of pupils within class groups.

Equal Opportunities

To be active and alert in ensuring that all pupils, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation and cultural
 background,  enjoy  equal  access to  a  broad  and  balanced  curriculum which  enables  them  to  achieve
good   standards and to be involved in designing materials which facilitate this.

10.  Community

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To  develop  strategies  which  enhance  the  positive  relationship  between  the  school  and  parents  and
local
community.
To liaise with the other Department Heads in developing policies which facilitate:
Primary/secondary liaison and enhance the transition of Year 6 pupils
Secondary/further and higher education liaison and the transition of senior students
To foster  and support extra-curricular activities  in the  interests of the  school community, e.g. school
concerts, plays, sports fixtures, etc.

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Personal Targets
These will be agreed upon every year and reviewed on a regular basis.

Note: The duties and responsibilities of this post may vary from time to time according to the changing needs of the
school. This job description may be reviewed at the reasonable discretion of the Principal in the light of those chang-
ing requirements and in consultation with the postholder.   In any event the Principal reserves the right to review
and amend the job description.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential

How to apply

Download an Application Form from our website [www.gosfieldschool.org.uk] and send
together with a covering letter to Mrs Sara Bowles, EA to the Principal:
recruitment@gosfieldschool.org.uk
Deadline for applications: noon Thursday 19th March 2026
Interviews: Monday 23rd or Tuesday 24th March 2026
Start Date:  1 September 2026

*Please Note to avoid disappointment applicants are encouraged to apply prior to the
deadline as we reserve the right to consider applications as they are received and to
appoint prior to the deadline.

Knowing every child, nurturing potential