Job Title: Head of Art, Design & Technology 

Location: The Wisbech Academy

Salary: Main Teacher pay scale or Upper Teacher pay scale + TLR 2B

Hours per week / Weeks per year: 32.5 hours per week/ 52 weeks per year

Start date: September 2026

About our school

We are a new 11–16 school serving 600 students (120 PAN), growing year-on-year, we will move into our purpose-built site in 2026/27. Being part of the Wisbech Campus enables shared facilities, collaboration and excellent opportunities for staff and students.

The Role

We are seeking an inspiring and visionary Head of Art, Design & Technology to lead and develop a dynamic department encompassing Art, Design Technology, and Food & Nutrition.

As one of our early curriculum leaders, you will have the unique opportunity to build the department from the ground up—creating schemes of learning, shaping facilities, establishing high standards, and nurturing a culture of creativity, innovation, and excellence.

This role would suit a passionate and ambitious middle leader ready for the next step, or an experienced head of department seeking the excitement and freedom of shaping a new provision.

What You Will Do

• Lead, develop, and inspire teaching across Art, Design Technology, and Food & Nutrition.
• Design an innovative, engaging, and ambitious curriculum for KS3 and beyond as the school grows.
• Shape the long‑term vision and identity of the ADT department in a brand-new school.
• Develop a team over time, supporting recruitment and mentoring future staff.
• Ensure high-quality teaching, learning, and assessment.
• Oversee departmental resources, including equipment, health & safety, and the development of specialist teaching spaces.
• Foster strong relationships with students, parents, staff, and the wider community.

·        Mentor and support new colleagues as the department grows – helping to develop confident, expert practitioners.

What We’re Looking For

• A passionate educator with expertise in any of the ADT disciplines.
• Strong leadership potential with the ability to inspire creativity and innovation.
• Experience in curriculum planning and assessment at KS3 (KS4/5 experience desirable as we grow).
• A commitment to creating opportunities for students to experiment, solve problems, design, make, and think critically.
• Someone excited by the idea of building something new—and making a lasting impact

·     Why Join Us?

       Be part of a new school with the freedom to innovate from day one.

·     Shape a department according to your professional vision and passion.

·     Play a central role in recruiting, shaping and mentoring a future team.

·     Work in a supportive environment that values creativity, collaboration, and professional growth.

·     Benefit from excellent facilities, including developing ADT workshops and food technology spaces.

·     Grow with us as the school expands year by year.

Click here to find out more about The Wisbech Academy. 

Click here to find out more about the Wisbech Campus. 

 About Brooke Weston Trust

Our Trust was formed more than 25 years ago with a simple and clear mission – to transform educational performance in all of our communities. Working in some of the most challenging contexts, we improve our students’ achievements by making long term commitments to the community and championing new approaches to improve the life chances for young people.

Our members of staff are essential to realising this vision, and a happy, motivated and supported team will deliver the best possible experiences for our young people.

We place great emphasis on creating a supportive and collaborative working environment in all our schools, where all staff can share best practice through our colleague networks. Brooke Weston staff get access to first class professional development through our Ambition Hub, which is also home to the Northamptonshire Teaching School.

To find out more about working for our Trust and the benefits available to staff please check out the BWT Join Us Guide.

The Benefits at Brooke Weston Trust we can offer you:  

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:  

·        Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays. An additional 3 days after 5 years’ service and the ability to purchase up to 10 days additional leave per year.  

·        One wellbeing day a year, in addition to your annual leave  

·        Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.  

·        Employee discounts with local and national retailers, covering high street supermarkets, days out and holidays, health and beauty, dining out plus lots more. 

·        A freshly prepared breakfast and hot or cold lunch each day when you work in one of our Trust schools  

·        Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your role requires you to be a member of a professional body, BWT will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.  

·        Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Your Care, an independent, external organisation. Your Care is available for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, both face to face and online.  

·        Additional health benefits including a Health Care cash plan and access to an online GP  

·        Cycle to Work scheme.  

·        Ongoing opportunities for training and development and access to the BWT Centre for Professional Development  

·        Collaborative and Ambitious colleagues with the support of a committed team who work to maintain high standards and expectations  

·        Be the difference – At Brooke Weston Trust we believe every child deserves the best possible start, giving them a "ticket for life." If you want to use your skills with an organisation committed to making a difference and improving lives, this is the place for you  

Wisbech Academy is part of Brooke Weston Trust, which offers one of the most extensive and well‑structured professional development programmes in the region. Through the Trust’s Centre for Professional Development, colleagues benefit from:

• ·        A comprehensive CPD programme across curriculum, safeguarding, behaviour, SEND, leadership development, and governance
• ·        High‑quality training delivered by senior leaders across the Trust, alongside nationally recognised experts, Ofsted inspectors, DfE‑affiliated consultants, and specialist outreach providers
• ·        Access to purpose‑built professional learning facilities, including the CPD Centre (home of the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub) and the Primary Training Hub at Oakley Vale Primary School
• ·        A wide range of courses spanning everything from curriculum design and teaching & learning to first aid, leadership, SEND, and operational skills

As a Brooke Weston Trust school, the Wisbech Academy sits within the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub, which delivers the NPQ programme in partnership with Ambition Institute.

Being within the same Trust family gives our teachers excellent access to its full suite of NPQs, delivered in partnership with Ambition Institute. This reflects the strong emphasis Brooke Weston Trust places on high‑quality professional development, ensuring colleagues have clear, research‑informed pathways for progression.

How to Apply

We welcome visits and conversations about the role. Full details and application information are available at www.thewisbechacademy.org or by calling 01945 407909.

Closing date: 12^th April 2026

Interview date: w/c 24^th April 2026

Safer Recruitment

Care and respect for others are the values that lie at the heart of our Trust. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. It expects all staff to share this commitment. All posts require proof of identity and as the role is working with children and young people this will also be subject to an enhanced disclosures barring service check. In line with safer recruitment requirements, individuals shortlisted for a role in school will have online checks conducted on their name across social media platforms and google.

A copy of the Trust Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found here - Safeguarding and Child Protection

The Trusts position on the recruitment of Ex-Offenders can be found under section 7 of the Trust SCR, Safer Recruitment and Staff Files Policy - Safer Recruitment and Staff Files Policy

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.