Curriculum Leader of Design & Technology
| Posting date: | 14 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 January 2026 |
| Location: | Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5RF |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 891fb2cf-3732-4d35-8c52-96a3b116e888 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking an inspirational and dynamic Curriculum Leader of Design & Technology to join our successful secondary school. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious teacher to lead and develop our design provision, ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, and achievement across the department. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact within our high-performing school. If you are passionate about your subject and eager to make a real difference in the lives of young people, Horsforth School could be the perfect place for you.
The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and committed teacher, joining a supportive and experienced department with a strong sense of teamwork. We pride ourselves on collaboration, sharing best practice, and supporting one another to achieve excellence as we continue to develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning. The Department boasts excellent GCSE results each year across Food Technology, Design and Technology and Engineering.
Key Responsibilities of the Role
• Leading the strategic development of the Design, Technology and Food Technology curriculum. Inspiring and motivating staff and students to achieve excellence.
• Overseeing the planning, delivery, and assessment of engaging and innovative lessons.
• Ensuring the highest standards of health and safety in practical learning environments.
• Monitoring student progress and implementing strategies to raise attainment.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the school to promote STEM and cross-curricular opportunities.
• Line managing and supporting departmental staff, fostering professional growth and development.
About You
We are looking for a passionate educator who:
• Has proven experience teaching Design, Technology and/or Food Technology at secondary level.
• Demonstrates strong leadership and organisational skills.
• Is committed to inclusive education and raising achievement for all learners.
• Has excellent subject knowledge and a track record of delivering outstanding lessons.
• Can inspire creativity, innovation, and resilience in our students.
What the school offers its staff
About Horsforth School
Horsforth School’s results speak for themselves - GCSE and A Level results are consistently well above the national averages and in 2022, 2023 and 2024 the school had the best state school A Level results in the whole of Leeds.
In addition, Horsforth School was named the 4th best comprehensive school in the North in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026.
We are also delighted to be able to offer the following staff incentives and recognise the importance of activities outside of the classroom for staff wellbeing:
• Extracurricular activities
• Exciting trips and visits
• Free access to an onsite gym and opportunity to join the staff football team
• Bike to work scheme
• Regular staff voice
• Buzzing and lively staffroom/work hubs
• Cover Pool – allows teaching staff access to an amount of flexible working per academic year
• Amazing onsite catering with regular all staff breakfasts and seasonal events
• New Sixth Form building with onsite coffee shop ‘Common Grounds’
• Onsite car parking/excellent public transport links with local train station providing easy access from Leeds and Harrogate
• Dedicated investment in physical and mental wellbeing
• Access to Vivup – an Employee Assistance Programme with confidential employee support available everyday 24/7 for counselling and any concerns such as bereavement, mental health support, debt, legal issues.
• Recognise the importance of a good work/life balance
Located in North-West Leeds, the school is just five miles from the city centre with its thriving retail, leisure and cultural facilities, yet on the edge of open countryside. York, Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales are within easy reach.
If you’d like to find out more, please call 0113 226 5454. Or for full details and to download an application form, please visit www.horsforthschool.org and click on the vacancies tab or email recruitment@horsforthschool.org.
We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or religion. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students and we expect all colleagues to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
We are seeking an inspirational and dynamic Curriculum Leader of Design & Technology to join our successful secondary school. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious teacher to lead and develop our design provision, ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, and achievement across the department. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact within our high-performing school. If you are passionate about your subject and eager to make a real difference in the lives of young people, Horsforth School could be the perfect place for you.
The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and committed teacher, joining a supportive and experienced department with a strong sense of teamwork. We pride ourselves on collaboration, sharing best practice, and supporting one another to achieve excellence as we continue to develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning. The Department boasts excellent GCSE results each year across Food Technology, Design and Technology and Engineering.
Key Responsibilities of the Role
• Leading the strategic development of the Design, Technology and Food Technology curriculum. Inspiring and motivating staff and students to achieve excellence.
• Overseeing the planning, delivery, and assessment of engaging and innovative lessons.
• Ensuring the highest standards of health and safety in practical learning environments.
• Monitoring student progress and implementing strategies to raise attainment.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the school to promote STEM and cross-curricular opportunities.
• Line managing and supporting departmental staff, fostering professional growth and development.
About You
We are looking for a passionate educator who:
• Has proven experience teaching Design, Technology and/or Food Technology at secondary level.
• Demonstrates strong leadership and organisational skills.
• Is committed to inclusive education and raising achievement for all learners.
• Has excellent subject knowledge and a track record of delivering outstanding lessons.
• Can inspire creativity, innovation, and resilience in our students.
What the school offers its staff
About Horsforth School
Horsforth School’s results speak for themselves - GCSE and A Level results are consistently well above the national averages and in 2022, 2023 and 2024 the school had the best state school A Level results in the whole of Leeds.
In addition, Horsforth School was named the 4th best comprehensive school in the North in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026.
We are also delighted to be able to offer the following staff incentives and recognise the importance of activities outside of the classroom for staff wellbeing:
• Extracurricular activities
• Exciting trips and visits
• Free access to an onsite gym and opportunity to join the staff football team
• Bike to work scheme
• Regular staff voice
• Buzzing and lively staffroom/work hubs
• Cover Pool – allows teaching staff access to an amount of flexible working per academic year
• Amazing onsite catering with regular all staff breakfasts and seasonal events
• New Sixth Form building with onsite coffee shop ‘Common Grounds’
• Onsite car parking/excellent public transport links with local train station providing easy access from Leeds and Harrogate
• Dedicated investment in physical and mental wellbeing
• Access to Vivup – an Employee Assistance Programme with confidential employee support available everyday 24/7 for counselling and any concerns such as bereavement, mental health support, debt, legal issues.
• Recognise the importance of a good work/life balance
Located in North-West Leeds, the school is just five miles from the city centre with its thriving retail, leisure and cultural facilities, yet on the edge of open countryside. York, Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales are within easy reach.
If you’d like to find out more, please call 0113 226 5454. Or for full details and to download an application form, please visit www.horsforthschool.org and click on the vacancies tab or email recruitment@horsforthschool.org.
We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or religion. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students and we expect all colleagues to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.