Subject Leader: Food Technology at Twynham School

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional and ambitious Subject Leader for Design Technology (Food) to join our thriving DT department at Twynham School and The Grange School (TGS). This is an exciting opportunity to take on a leadership role within a high‑performing faculty and to contribute to our shared vision for excellence across the federation.

The role will be predominantly based at Twynham School, while also involving teaching and supporting colleagues at TGS. Our Design Technology provision operates as one team across two schools, with colleagues working closely together on curriculum design, assessment, and our shared approach to teaching and learning. As part of a federation, staff benefit from the best of both worlds: the stability and established success of Twynham, and the energy and innovation of TGS’s rapid improvement journey. TGS was recognised as one of the top 35 most improved schools nationally in 2024, and this partnership provides a rich and varied professional experience across two distinct contexts.

This post would suit a colleague who is ready to take the next step in their career—someone with strong classroom practice, a passion for Design Technology, and the desire to contribute to the strategic development of the subject. At Twynham TGS, we are proud of our culture of collaboration, professional growth and shared leadership. Colleagues benefit from high‑quality coaching, leadership development opportunities, and a wide range of CPD designed to support you at every stage of your career.

This is a truly exceptional opportunity for a talented and driven practitioner to join a forward‑thinking federation and to play a key role in shaping the future of Design Technology across Christchurch.

What do our parents say about Twynham School?

"The staff at Twynham School truly know my child and have supported them at every stage of their educational journey."

 "Twynham School sets high expectations for behaviour and academic success, all within a caring and supportive environment."

What do our students say?

"I feel safe at Twynham School."

 "I am supported and challenged to be the best I can be."

 "I love the wide variety of extracurricular activities available"

 What do our staff say?

"I feel valued as part of a collaborative team, both within Twynham School and across our trust."

 "There are fantastic opportunities for professional development and career growth."

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an outstanding individual who will relish the opportunity to:

• Teach Design Technology within a high-performing and well-established department
• Deliver exceptional extra-curricular opportunities within and beyond Design Technology
• Further contribute to our vision for education across the town of Christchurch
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in accordance with our Safeguarding and Child Protection policies.

You are likely to be someone who is or has the potential to be:

• An inspirational and skilled teacher of Design Technology
• Committed to improving pedagogical practices using evidence-informed approaches
• Committed to the power of extra-curricular opportunities in engaging students
• Aspirational for career development and eager to seize additional career progression opportunities
• Driven by the power of education to transform the lives of the most disadvantaged students

Twynham TGS can offer you

• The chance to be a part of an exciting educational journey
• The opportunity to work with exceptional colleagues and wonderful young people and their families
• An exceptional CPD offer from teacher training and the ECT framework through to preparation for senior and system leadership
• Strong and supportive leadership, who place value on learning beyond the classroom
• Free, confidential access to our Employee Assistance Programme, which offers a range of counselling services plus financial, legal and practical support from qualified professionals on a range of personal issues and access to online health and wellbeing resources
• A trust-wide intranet, where we share our news, information and resources
• Local discounts negotiated on behalf of our staff e.g. gym memberships, hair and beauty salons, chiropractic care, cycle shops, restaurants, motoring services, and retail/DIY stores
• A welcoming staff room with complimentary tea and coffee available throughout the day
• The opportunity to work within Twynham Learning; a progressive multi-academy trust
• The opportunity to work in one of the most beautiful areas of the South Coast
• Automatic membership of the Teachers Pension Scheme
• Free on-site parking

You will also be keen to live our Twynham Learning employee values which are:

• Aim high
• Keep improving
• Don’t leave anyone behind
• See the bigger picture

Twynham School values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share. The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Twynham School will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.