Head of Product Design

Start Date: January 2027

Contract: Full Time/ Permanent

Salary: MPS/UPS + TLR

Are you a passionate and inspiring Product Design specialist, looking for an exciting leadership opportunity?

As our curriculum leader for Product Design, you will lead the area effectively in all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment, ensuring high levels of quality and student satisfaction, excellent outcomes and strong progression.

Bitterne Park School is an 11-19 mixed, community school and Sixth Form and is set in eighteen acres of grounds overlooking the River Itchen and Riverside Park.

In September 2017, the school moved into its new building, which has allowed us to fully embrace the ethos and values that the school has been striving for. The bright and modern learning environment is centred around an atrium, which is at the heart of the school. Each of the classrooms is bright and spacious with fully interactive touch screen projection and improved IT. We are particularly proud of our Performing Arts facilities. We have drama studios, practice rooms, music rooms and a dance studio, in addition to the high specification theatre, dance studio and music facilities in the Sixth Form building.

The school also has a multi-sports hall, tennis courts, netball courts, basketball courts and an outdoor table tennis area as well as a full size, all weather, 3G pitch.

Bitterne Park School has a key role to play in the local community with many local groups using our facilities.

The Product Design Department at Bitterne Park School is part of a wider DT and Art Faculty with individual Heads of Department supported by a Head of Faculty.  Product Design is run at KS3 and KS4 and there is a real culture of high-quality work with students achieving well at GCSE. Product Design empowers students with the vital communication and technical skills needed to succeed in their chosen pathways and future careers.

We provide the tools, time, and creative space for students to independently investigate broad, topical themes with tailored support to meet every learner's needs. By analysing the historical context of a diverse range of designers, artists, cultures, and eras, our students learn to blend critical research with imaginative execution to develop their own unique design work. Students quickly engage with practical applications from Y7 to Y11 developing creative ideas then securing the practical hand tool skills with machine tool experiences in a range of core materials and processes. In year 7/8 we have a rotation with Food and Textiles and at Y9 students opt into this subject with many moving on to GCSE Product Design. We have a good cross over of PCs, desks and practical benches for students to work across theory and practical.

The department has a dedicated Dt technician and prep room and within the main DT rooms there are vacuum formers, 2 large laser cutters and 2 3D Printers along with a great range of excellent colleagues.

The Head of Product Design will:

Oversee the production of ambitious, inspiring and stimulating teaching and learning materials across courses in the curriculum area.

Ensure that all subject-related documentation such as schemes of work, assessment plans, assessments and mock examinations are high quality, fit for purpose and regularly updated.

Lead and promote inspirational and innovative teaching, learning and assessment across the curriculum.

Support and mentor colleagues where appropriate.

Promote enrichment opportunities, exhibitions and creative projects.

We hope you will review the role description, person specification and the ‘About Us’ booklet within our recruitment pack and will be excited about the prospect of joining us at team BPS.  If you are willing to consider BPS as the next step in your career, please complete the application form and submit by the closing date – we look forward to meeting you.

Closing Date: 12th October 2026 – noon

Proposed Interview Date: TBA

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – Essential.

A degree or relevant qualification in Product Design or a related field.

The ability to analyse data to inform decision making and drive improvement in outcomes.

A commitment to innovation, development and continuous improvement.

Strong organisational and leadership skills.

A creative and collaborative approach to problem solving.