Job Introduction
Crestwood Community School is one school, with two campuses serving central Eastleigh. We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and ambitious Teacher of Design Technology to start September 2025. Design & Technology sits within the Technology Faculty. The Faculty pride themselves on having an innovative and forward thinking curriculum. Practical work is at the heart of everything and the Faculty’s vision centres on giving students the skills and experiences they need so that they can be successful in the wider world beyond school.
At Crestwood within KS3 Design and Technology we currently offer a range of specialisms such as Product Design, Textiles, Electronics, Graphics and Food. At KS4 we offer both a GCSE in Design and Technology and Food Preparation and Nutrition as well as the V Cert Level 1/2 in Food and Cookery. However, as an innovative and forward thinking team, we are always looking to develop new areas within the subject and at Key Stage 3 are always developing new projects. We are seeking any specialism.
The Faculty is incredibly well resourced across both campuses with specialist rooms for each subject area and up-to-date equipment, which is well managed and maintained by our own in-house technicians. Our IT resources are also excellent, with access to IT suites, Chromebooks and specialist design software as needed.
We are looking for someone who can play an active role in contributing to the already high standards within the team. Design and Technology results are consistently strong and the course has a high uptake. You will be supported by a passionate and hands-on faculty leadership team; as well as experienced and dedicated teachers within that team.
This role would suit an experienced teacher or an ECT looking for their first post after qualifying.
Crestwood Community School had an Ofsted inspection in February 2024, which confirmed that we continue to be a ‘good’ school. The report stated that at Crestwood “there is a welcoming, friendly atmosphere”. They also said that “teachers and support staff, including those in the early stages of their career, are proud to work at the school. They particularly value school leader's careful consideration of their workload and well-being so that they can focus their efforts fully on pupils’ education.” In addition Ofsted report that “many pupils, staff and parents describe the school as a ‘big family’. This is a happy school, where staff and students want to be. The #Crestwoodfamily pervades through everything we do.
As a school we take staff well being seriously. We offer staff the following:
- wellbeing weeks, with no commitments scheduled after school
- free lunch every day
- free tea and coffee
- half termly cooked breakfasts
- accrued inset days, taken as twilights, giving staff an additional 4 days off a year
- One wellbeing day per year (during term-time), to be taken at their chosen time (after a qualifying period)
- weekly thank you bulletin
- birthday cards
- heads discretionary leaves of absence for family events
- acts of random kindness
- access to mental health first aiders
Our Ofsted report from February 2024 stated that at Crestwood “there is a welcoming, friendly atmosphere”. They also said that “teachers and support staff, including those in the early stages of their career, are proud to work at the school. They particularly value school leader's careful consideration of their workload and well-being so that they can focus their efforts fully on pupils’ education.” In addition, Ofsted report that “many pupils, staff and parents describe the school as a ‘big family’.
We are one school over two campuses, serving the children of central Eastleigh, which is a vibrant town, with large amounts of development in both business and residential areas. There has been an expansion in the primary sector with several local schools undergoing expansion to their buildings to accommodate the growth in student numbers. Crestwood merged with the former Quilley School in 2016 to provide one secondary school for Eastleigh, something new and exciting, offering high quality education for the children of Eastleigh. In 2022 we became oversubscribed in every year group and are operating a waiting list across both campuses. The two campuses are situated at Shakespeare Road and Cherbourg Road and both offer the same high quality education to all year groups with little movement of students. Staff are predominantly one campus based but may be expected to teach across both sites, whilst playing an active part in their innovative and high-performing teams. Across both campuses we have been successful in establishing a strong culture and ethos, typified by the #Crestwoodfamily.
As Head Teacher, with a Design and Technology background, I have a clear vision and an absolute determination, alongside my team, to continue to improve even further the provision of education across Eastleigh.
The Ofsted report states that “Leaders and governors are driven by a strong sense of moral purpose. They are ambitious for pupils’ futures and drive to provide the best opportunities for them. Staff share these aspirations and are loyal and committed”.
We care deeply about our school, the staff, the students and the community we serve, we are a school with a heart. We as a school are clear about our improvement agenda and we work cohesively as a school wide team. As this was our fifth consecutive “good” grading it demonstrates that at Crestwood we are continually providing a consistent quality in all we do, against a backdrop of tougher standards and criteria to be judged against.
The Technology Faculty is a leading faculty across both campuses. The Achievement Leader of Technology is enthusiastic, highly experienced, hands-on and a highly supportive Head of Faculty. He is assisted by one equally passionate Assistant Achievement Leader, who is a Food specialist, together they have created an extremely motivated and enthusiastic Technology team who work well collaboratively to create an innovative, enriching and ever evolving curriculum.
In Key Stage 3, students currently have 60 minutes of Design & Technology time every week. These lessons take the form of ‘rotations’ throughout the year, so that all students get to experience all specialisms. In Key Stage 4, we currently offer GCSE Design & Technology - with students choosing between a Resistant Materials or Textiles specialism for their final NEA, and also GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition, as option subjects. However, within our ethos to constantly find the most innovative and dynamic curriculum mix, we are always looking at the merits of new courses.
We have enhanced our campuses significantly over the past few years. We have refurbished nearly all areas across the school. We have had a new crescent area and roof at Shakespeare which has enhanced the building significantly. The Cherbourg Campus is situated between the town’s two post-16 providers. The site is well maintained with specialist facilities in excellent condition throughout, including 5 new Science rooms and refurbished Sports Hall. In totality we are a school continually on the up and have a can-do-more attitude.
As a new member of staff you will be well supported: we have a comprehensive induction process, and you will be given an Induction Mentor and a ‘professional buddy’. We hold the Investors in People Gold standard, and see professional learning as a major strategic priority.
For the successful candidate, a commitment to raising standards and a passion for developing young adults is essential: this entails a commitment to all learners, to excellence for all, and a belief that a good school makes a significant difference to learners’ life chances, levels of attainment and the wellbeing of the community as a whole.
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
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