HEAD OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
Permanent, Full Time
JAGS Teaching Salary Scale – commensurate with experience
Required from September 2026
Do you have a passion for life and learning? If so, our inspirational teaching team at JAGS is looking for a colleague to lead the Design and Technology department. Your dynamic and creative approach will help encourage and champion today’s young Learners across Years 7 to 13 in this, one of the UK’s leading independent schools.
With its distinctive heritage as the oldest independent girls’ school in London, James Allen’s Girls’ School, JAGS, provides a forward-thinking and contemporary education for over 1100 girls aged 4 to 18. Located in the London borough of Southwark, JAGS has a diverse school community and is committed to inclusive recruitment and inclusion in the workplace.
If this matches your educational vision, then this is the perfect time to join the Design and Technology department, which consists of our team of three teachers and one technician in shared across four specialised workshops and a well-equipped prep room. Design and Technology is one of the many strengths of the school and is one of our most popular GCSE choices. We have recently added A Level as an option, starting in September 2026. Design and Technology is delivered by subject specialists with varied backgrounds including engineering, product design and construction.
At KS4 we follow the AQA specification. Our GCSE and A Level results are outstanding, as you would expect from this highly selective school. We are introducing the Design and Technology A Level for the first time from September 2026 and will be following the AQA specification. At JAGS, however, we believe there is so much more to education than simply exam results. The department believes strongly in enrichment and extension, and in all our teaching we aim to build critical thinking, confidence, independence and a love of Design and Technology.
Teamwork plays an important role within the Department: the staff love to enhance the experience of the students by sharing good practice, resources and ideas. We are looking for a well-qualified graduate to join this exceptional department who shares our vision, is passionate about Design and Technology, and who will bring their own individuality to this warm and supportive team.
In addition, any prospective candidate must show an active commitment to the values and expectations of our school community and to the welfare of the pupils within it. The enthusiasm to assist in a strong co-curriculum is an important quality of all who work at JAGS.
We offer:
* The opportunity to join our outstanding School where public examination results consistently place JAGS amongst the leading Schools in the UK
* A community of considerate, creative and compassionate students and staff
* A highly diverse and inclusive School community, committed to our bursary provision
* An inspiring and enthusiastic team of colleagues across the teaching and support staff
* Excellent facilities, including the latest resources to support learning
* A diverse benefits package including:
* Competitive salary
* Choice of Teachers’ Pension Scheme or generous alternative defined contribution scheme
* Enhanced sickness, maternity and paternity pay
* Free onsite parking
* Free gym membership with discounted family rates
* Employee assistance programme
* Free lunches, tea and coffee all year round
* Free access to the Dulwich Picture Gallery
* School fee discount
* Cycle to work scheme
* Interest-free computer loans
* Interest-free transport season ticket loans
What you can offer us:
* A well-qualified graduate with a degree in Design and Technology or a related subject, preferably with a PGCE
* Excellent subject knowledge and a passion for Design and Technology
* The ability to teach Design and Technology to highly able Students across KS3, GCSE and A Level
* A talent for motivating and enthusing young learners to achieve their best
* Kindness and open-mindedness
* Intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm and a personal ethos of lifelong learning
* Resilience and optimism; someone who is willing to go the extra mile in the busy life of the School
* Team-working abilities and a keenness to enable all colleagues to contribute ideas and be part of positive change
* Commitment to the well-being and safeguarding of all students and staff
* Commitment to diversity, inclusion and anti-racism in the school community
With its distinctive heritage as the oldest independent girls’ school in London, James Allen’s Girls’ School provides a forward-thinking and contemporary education for over 1100 girls aged 4 to 18. Located in the London borough of Southwark, JAGS has a diverse school community and is committed to inclusion in the workplace.
Our school aims, both in and out of the classroom, are clear:
* To celebrate our diverse and inclusive community
* To campion Social awareness and sustainability
* To empower courage, creativity and compassion in each Student
* To inspire aspirational and authentic lifelong learners and leaders
* To nurture respectful, resilient and kind individuals
If this matches your educational vision, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.
How to apply:
We recognise that celebrating the full diversity of staff and students has a positive impact on all and invite applications from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments, please let us know when you submit your application whether you have any special requirements.
We welcome applications from both early career and experienced teachers from the independent and maintained sectors. The school operates its own generous and competitive pay scales and will offer a salary commensurate with experience and the nature of this role.
If you are interested in joining us, please follow the instructions to complete the online application form via MyNewTerm.
Please note that applications must be submitted via MyNewTerm. CVs and covering letters sent via email will not be accepted.
For further information please telephone the Recruitment team on 020 8693 1181.
Closing Date: Midday on Monday 02 March 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing Monday 09 March 2026
Interviews may be held at any stage after applications are received. Interested candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified deadline, if a suitable candidate is found.
JAGS is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service, and overseas police and regulatory authorities where relevant.