Design & Technology Teacher | Secondary Academy & Sixth Form | Birmingham

We are seeking an articulate, creative, and safety-conscious Design & Technology (D&T) Teacher to deliver outstanding practical and theoretical instruction across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 GCSE (with opportunities for Key Stage 5 A-Level Product Design or vocational qualifications depending on candidate expertise). Working within a well-resourced D&T department, the successful candidate will inspire innovation, guide students through the iterative design process, and develop practical skills across materials, CAD/CAM, and modern manufacturing techniques.

THE SCHOOL

Set on a modern campus featuring specialist workshop spaces, CAD/CAM computer suites, 3D printers, laser cutters, and traditional woodworking and metalworking machinery, this vibrant secondary academy supports over 1,200 pupils aged 11–18 in Birmingham. Operating within a supportive Multi-Academy Trust framework, the school places high value on practical STEM education and creative problem-solving. The Design & Technology faculty is a popular, dynamic area that collaborates closely with regional engineering firms, local design hubs, and national enterprise initiatives.

KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS

Curriculum Delivery: Plan and teach engaging, hands-on D&T lessons across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (AQA/Edexcel GCSE Design & Technology), covering design contextual challenges, material properties (timbers, metals, polymers), and electronic systems.

CAD/CAM & Workshop Instruction: Train students in Computer-Aided Design software (e.g., 2D Design, SolidWorks, Autodesk) and oversee Computer-Aided Manufacture using laser cutters, CNC routers, and 3D printing technology alongside hand tools.

NEA & Portfolio Guidance: Guide pupils through Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) contextual design projects, fostering user-centred research, iterative prototyping, evaluation, and high-quality physical model making.

Workshop Safety & Health & Safety Compliance: Maintain strict workshop safety standards, managing machinery maintenance, material storage, personal protective equipment (PPE), and risk assessments in compliance with DATA and CLEAPSS guidelines.

Pastoral Responsibilities: Act as a dedicated Form Tutor, monitoring pupil academic progress, personal welfare, and character development within the academy's structured pastoral system.

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or QTLS with a degree in Design & Technology, Product Design, Industrial Design, Engineering, or a closely related discipline. Confident Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and experienced secondary practitioners are equally encouraged to apply.

Experience: Proven experience teaching Design & Technology across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 within a UK mainstream secondary school or academy setting.

Skills: Strong working knowledge of workshop machinery, CAD/CAM digital software, and NEA portfolio guidance; excellent classroom and workshop safety management; and the ability to inspire creative design solutions in young people.

REGIONAL CONTEXT

Local Area & Community: Located in Britain's second city, the school serves a dynamic and diverse community. Birmingham offers world-class cultural amenities, major commercial districts like Grand Central and the Bullring, academic hubs, and expansive green spaces like Cannon Hill Park and Sutton Park.

Transport & Commuting: Birmingham boasts premier transport connectivity, positioned at the heart of the national motorway network via the M5, M6, and M42 corridors. Public transit is comprehensive, featuring National Express West Midlands bus routes, West Midlands Metro tram connections, and quick rail access through major hubs including Birmingham New Street, Moor Street, and Snow Hill stations.

Design & Technology Teacher | Secondary Academy & Sixth Form | Birmingham • Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

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