Head of Department - Product Design in Leeds

Salary: Appointment will be made on the Sixth Form Colleges Association Salary spine for teaching staff, Spine 1 £33,465 to Spine 9 £51,714, plus 3 responsibility allowance points (3 x £1,341) per annum.

Hours: Full time

Contract: Permanent

Location: Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, St Mark's Avenue

Closing Date and Time: Friday 30 January 2026 at 9 AM

Applications from all faiths are welcomed.

We are looking for an inspirational and visionary individual to the full-time post of Head of Product Design, who can build on the academic success of the subject area, to lead and further develop the team. Product Design is a highly successful and popular department with over 17 years of outstanding success. The department has highly committed, enthusiastic, specialist staff and runs two courses: A Level Product Design (following the AQA specification) and CTEC in Art and Design following an architectural/interior design pathway. Currently, 150 students are studying A level Product Design or CTEC Art and Design.

The Product Design Department has an excellent reputation for innovation within the college and prides itself on its close links with higher education and both local and regional industry specialists. The department has purpose-built accommodation with some of the latest specialist IT and CNC facilities, which are used extensively including Google Sketchup, SolidWorks and TechSoft 2D design. There is a friendly and professional atmosphere within the department and a strong emphasis on encouraging a positive rapport between staff and students in the pursuit of academic success. There is a wealth of experience and professional knowledge, and an encouragement to undertake CPD. This is an exciting time to join the department and the college as we continue to invest in the specialist accommodation and resources across the site.

You will have a track record of outstanding success and be able to make a significant contribution to the future of Notre Dame within an inclusive environment, where we have a real commitment to the personal and academic development of all students.

Duties to include Management responsibilities:

• Provide effective leadership and management of the Product Design department to provide outstanding standards of student achievement and attainment within the department.
• To develop, motivate and inspire colleagues within the department in line with the College’s Ethos and Mission Statement.
• To pro-actively lead the department in the provision of an outstanding quality of education as evidenced in all the key performance indicators, especially value added and high grades.
• To pro-actively lead the department in embracing a varied and effective range of teaching and learning strategies appropriate to the post-16 learner, including the appropriate integration of ILT.
• To pro-actively lead the curriculum and curriculum development of the department.
• To rigorously monitor and track the Quality Assurance in the department’s teaching, learning and assessment to ensure consistency of outstanding provision.
• To be a ‘champion of the student’ and to have overall responsibility for monitoring and improving student performance in terms of Key Performance Indicators.
• To employ effective strategies to maintain outstanding retention and achievement in line with college and national benchmarks.
• To produce an annual SAR (Self-Assessment Review) and rigorously monitor this involving both staff and students to maintain outstanding provision.
• To develop a vibrant, enriching and enjoyable experience for all students within the department.
• To manage the departmental budget.
• To manage, guide, direct and undertake Appraisals with staff within the department and ensure their training and development needs are identified and met.
• To allocate responsibilities within the department to maximise the skills and talents of individuals.
• To provide opportunities for formal and informal meetings within the department.
• To attend meetings in accordance with the College meetings’ schedule.
• To be responsible for all relevant and timely reports to SLT and Governors.
• To be responsible for ensuring that all staff and students in the subject area comply with all the College’s policies and procedures.
• To lead on and contribute to activities which publicise and promote the work of the department, including assisting in liaison with partner schools, higher education, employer engagement, examination boards, awarding bodies and other relevant external bodies where appropriate, in order to achieve an effective, proactive and successful working partnership.
• Manage the deployment of staff and physical resources flexibly and efficiently, to ensure all aspects of service are effectively covered.
• Provide a full contribution to College liaison events including Open events, marketing, admissions, enrolment, and induction processes and procedures, to ensure agreed quality standards are met. This includes interviewing and assessing potential students.
• To demonstrate a commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons in line with College policy.
• To have full regard for the College’s Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety requirements.
• To perform such other duties as reasonably correspond to the general character of the post and are commensurate with its level of responsibility.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment:

• To pro-actively lead the department and own classes, in the provision of high-quality learning, teaching and assessment in accordance with the duties of main scale teachers and in accordance with the College’s policies.
• To lead the department on teaching, learning and assessment strategies and initiatives to ensure outstanding quality of education provision.
• To follow the principles of Rosenshine to embed and further develop effective teaching and learning strategies.
• To monitor and track each learner’s achievement according to value added criteria, assessment and attendance in order to ensure each learner is able to fulfil their potential.
• To lead and manage the development of high-quality resources, including schemes of work, teaching, learning and assessment resources, etc.
• To pro-actively lead on the further development of the subject through enrichment, to maximise student’s engagement.
• To lead and manage the planning activities of the department, reflecting the needs of the students and the aims and objectives of the College.
• To work as part of a team, lead and foster effective working relations.
• To undertake the assessment of students’ work in accordance with the College’s assessment policy.
• To undertake an appropriate programme of teaching in accordance with the duties of a main scale teacher.

Please note: The job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The job may change over time to reflect the changing needs of the College, as well as the personal development needs of the post holder. Any changes would be discussed with the post-holder prior to implementation.

What we can offer you:

• Free on-site car parking.
• Located in the University District of Leeds and close to Leeds City Centre (easily accessible by public or private transport).
• The framework for Ethical Leadership in Education underpins everything we do.
• The College has been rated again as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted (March 2022 and September 2024) and is always oversubscribed.
• The West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network which gives 12% discount on Annual Metro Cards.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• On-site canteen facilities, with a separate Starbucks café.
• Feel good lunches - every half term (Different days on rota).
• Training and CPD.
• Enhanced sick pay above statutory entitlement.
• Enhanced payment for maternity, paternity and adoption leave (subject to qualifying period).
• Flu jab reimbursement.
• Various wellbeing initiatives, some staff led (i.e. yoga, knitting, College choir, Time to talk/ Mental Health and Wellbeing) + support to chosen charity of the year (voted by staff) with money raising initiatives.
• On-site College counsellor (mainly for students but staff can benefit from this or use the services of our EAP).
• Various discount platforms offering savings across a broad range of categories, including retail, fitness, well-being, and more (Blue Light, UniDays etc).
• Access to Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) – Teachers only.
• West Yorkshire Pensions – Support staff only.
• Access to the beautiful chapel with regular services for staff to attend.
• End of year College BBQ for staff + Mission and Ethos 'day, Staff Retreat Day.
• Lots of celebration and fundraising reasons for cake baking (or just eating!).

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION FORM:

To apply for a job, you must be eligible to work in the UK. The application form plays a most important part in our selection process. Please do not send us your standard CV (curriculum vitae). It is vital that you fill in the form as fully and accurately as possible. At the initial shortlisting stage, we will pay particular attention to how well your experience and skills fit the criteria of the Person Specification and you should address each of these clearly in your application.

The College is committed to Safeguarding and promotes the welfare of young people and expects all staff, students and volunteers to share this commitment. In promoting equality, we welcome applications from all sections of the community. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check under the Protection of Children and Young Persons procedures. If you are selected for interview you will be required to consent to the necessary enquiries being made.

Completed applications should be returned via the TES Portal.

Closing date: 9AM on Friday 30th January 2026. It is intended that interviews will take place week beginning 2nd February 2026. Applicants who have not been contacted within four weeks of the closing date should assume that, on this occasion, their application has been unsuccessful.

Thank you for your enquiry and interest in this post.