HEAD OF ART & DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Senior Assistant Principal
Leadership Pay Scale (L9 – L13) + Federation Benefits
£63,070 - £69,596 per annum, (FTE)
Start Date: September 2026
Full or Part-Time applications considered.
About the Role
Art and Design Technology is well established, popular and successful. We have over the last decade continued to expand our offer, invest in new facilities and prepare students to thrive in the creative industries that the UK is a world leader in. You will be joining us at an exciting time; some of our best ever results, well behaved and engaged students and a very well-resourced and successful team. Our current head of art is retiring after a decade of service and leaves art and design in a very strong position.
As Head of Art and Design Technology, you will lead a team of 10 specialist teachers (and two technicians) to deliver an exciting curriculum across; GCSE Art, BTEC Art and Design Practice, GCSE Graphics & Photography, GCSE Design Technology, GCSE Food and Nutrition, Vocational Technical Award in Engineering, and Hospitality and Catering at Catmose College and Harington School. You will lead the future development of these courses, ensuring outstanding teaching, robust support for staff at all career stages, and exceptional outcomes for students.
Our extracurricular offer is equally vibrant, with art and design being a key pillar of our Electives programme whereby all students can access an even broader range of art and design from model making, to pottery, through to building an e-racing car. We also have a thriving range of trips that range from a local print works, to a week in London exploring the arts scene and to more exotic trips such as a photography tour of Iceland.
You would therefore be joining a thriving team, who embrace our ethos where our students are at the centre of our decision making but where staff are also given opportunities to grow professionally.
Why Join Us?
Our ADT team is renowned for its creativity, innovation, and commitment to enriching student experiences.
We offer:
Well behaved and hard-working students
* Our ethos encourages students to embrace and be active contributors to the success of their College. We have high expectations of our students so that they are prepared for school and respectful of each other and our staff. There is a culture of celebration, students take pride in their work, want to do well, respond well to staff feedback and are well supported by their parents.
Outstanding Facilities:
* There are outstanding facilities throughout the Federation with purpose-built spaces offering excellent teaching resources and access to specialist equipment, this includes a photography and graphics studio, 3D ceramics room and 3 additional multipurpose art rooms. As part of the Catmose College expansion, two new additional specialist teaching areas in technology were recently built.
Diverse Curriculum:
* In Key Stage 3 the team teach across multiple disciplines; from Art and Design, including painting and drawing, textiles and ceramics and specialising at Key Stage 4 and 5. Uptake at Key Stage 4 is strong across the broad courses offered; GCSE Art, BTEC Art and Design Practice, GCSE Graphics and Photography, GCSE Design and Technology, GCSE Food and Nutrition, Vocational Technical Award in Engineering and Hospitality and Catering. At Key Stage 5, we have a very successful Art and Design course, alongside A level Product Design at Harington School providing further post-16 teaching opportunities.
Exceptional Enrichment:
* Alongside high standards of academic progress the team have a strong commitment in providing extracurricular opportunities for students, such as; a residential art trip to London and a photography trip to Iceland, which offer students unforgettable cultural and creative experiences. Visits to Leicester Print Workshop, RAF Wittering and Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum encourage hands-on learning alongside the annual sculpture workshop at Burghley House, which is always welcomed and well attended.
Scholarships & Competitions:
* The team also run a number of scholarship programmes across all disciplines, including the Arkwright national scholarship and the GreenPower Racing Car Team. Students are also extremely successful with their entries to Rotary competitions, in the categories of Young Chef and Rutland Youth Art.
Professional Development:
* We offer a funded master’s degree programme, extensive continued professional development, and leadership opportunities across the Federation.
Art, Design and Technology is integral to the College. To learn more about the work that we do, including extracurricular activities, please visit our website and social media pages.
What We’re Looking For
* A proven track record of excellence in leading Art and/or Design Technology.
* Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to motivate and develop a talented team.
* A commitment to safeguarding and promoting student welfare.
* A drive to enhance our curriculum and extracurricular offer.
* An ambitious leader who is looking to lead a large team of staff whilst developing their whole school experiences as a step towards headship.
Benefits
• Fully funded private health insurance, free staff gym access and free parking.
• Relocation expenses support recruitment for hard-to-recruit subjects.
• Vast range of staff training including a funded Master’s scheme.
• Primary, secondary and academic sixth-form teaching opportunities.
• Priority admission for children of staff to the College.
• Flexible working; part-time applicants are welcomed (at least 0.8 contract).
• A broad range of opportunities to engage in extracurricular trips and activities.
• Subsidised restaurant and complimentary lunch on training day.
• Complimentary lunch on staff training days.
• Cycleshare scheme salary sacrifice for bike purchases.
• Holidays outside of the usual term-time pattern, including a two-week autumn break and an early summer.
Apply Now
Visit the Rutland Federation or email office@rutlandfederation.com
Closing Date: Sunday 18 January 2026
* You should write a letter of application on no more than 2 sides of A4.
* You should complete all sections of the application form.
* On the form clearly state the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of two professional referees; it is our usual practice to ask for references before shortlisting and always to ask for references before interviews.
* It is a condition of employment that you can provide proof of identity and qualifications gained.
* Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
* Further information is within our Staff Recruitment Policy which can be found online.
Please note that due to the high number of applications we receive for positions, your application is unlikely to be considered if you do not follow these requirements. CVs are not accepted. Applications should be addressed to: Stuart Williams, Principal, Catmose College, Huntsmans Drive, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6RP. Applications can also be emailed to office@rutlandfederation.com
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates looking for a variety of flexible working arrangements including, but not limited to; part-time working and a job share.
The Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students in our care and expects all staff to share this commitment. We provide safeguarding training to all staff on an annual basis, and all staff are responsible for ensuring safeguarding, health and safety policies are implemented in line with Federation policy and current legislation. Please familiarise yourself with our Safeguarding Policy, available online.
This position advertised is a ‘regulated position’ which means it will involve regular contact with children and young people; under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 it is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. This position is also ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.