Curriculum Design Lead (CDL) - Oak National Academy – Design & Technology

Published 27th March 2024

Role Context

The Design & Technology Association is delighted to have won the tender to deliver curriculum content across Key Stages 1-4 as part of the Oak National Academy’s next stage of curriculum delivery. This next stage of work with Oak is noteworthy, as it is the first time that any government-funded body worldwide has attempted to create and host best-practice curriculum content across all subjects on a free-to-all user basis.

To manage the first stages of this work, the Design & Technology Association seeks to appoint a full-time Curriculum Design Lead on a consultancy basis, starting work as soon as possible and no later than Monday, the 15^th of April. The holder of this vital role will assist the Association in setting and adding detail to the Oak National Academy curriculum offer across Key Stages 1-4.

Contract Term and Duration

The successful candidate will be appointed on a full-time consultancy contract with a start date to be defined (no later than 15/04/24) and with the contract to run to Friday the 16^th of August 2024. It is anticipated that the Curriculum Design Lead (CDL) role will then transfer to a Curriculum Quality Assurance role from this point under a separate contract. This QA (Subject Reviewer) role will run full-time from a start date to be confirmed in late August to 31^st July 2025.

Remuneration Detail

This role will be remunerated at a level of £325 per working day. This role is remunerated on a consultancy basis for the length of the contract.

Responsibilities

Work with Oak’s Subject Lead and Product Teams to directly lead the production of the Curriculum Sequence and Information, test lessons and sample unit in Phase 1 of the contract (April 2024 to end of July 2024).

Work closely with the Design & Technology Association’s Oak National Academy Project Manager to ensure that all deadlines are met, and that the quality of work is produced to a consistently high standard.

Whilst it is anticipated that much of this work will be produced working remotely, the post holder needs to be able to attend the Association’s office in Banbury when requested by the Project Manager or CEO.

The post holder will make themselves available for Oak National Academy and Design & Technology Association training and must be willing and able to attend meetings in London and elsewhere called for this purpose. (Standard travel expenses will be paid).

The CDL must be willing to reach out to and collaborate with serving teachers to successfully enable the role. This may include site visits to schools as felt appropriate.

The Curriculum Design Lead will be available for a minimum of two weekly 1-hour meetings during standard working hours throughout Phase 1 of the contract. This will include a monthly progress review meeting.

The Curriculum Design Lead must have Qualified Teacher Status and three or more years of direct teaching experience in a school/schools across Key Stages Three and Four. They should also be confident in their ability to work across the primary Key Stages within the subject, preferably demonstrating some practice teaching or working in these Key Stages.

Have a deep and first-hand knowledge of the supplier’s curriculum and understand the decisions behind its coherence and sequencing.

Join Oak’s Expert Group termly meeting for the duration of the Contract, if requested.

Engage in occasional user research with Oak’s Product Team, if requested.

It is anticipated that the member of staff appointed as the Curriculum Design Lead will continue on a consultancy basis into Phase 2 as a Subject Reviewer (Separate Job Description and remuneration details to follow).

Personal Attributes

• High levels of subject and pedagogical knowledge and experience gained within school(s) where they were employed as a design and technology teacher. Leadership experience within the subject is preferable.

• Experience in curriculum design, evaluation, and delivery is essential.

• A team player with excellent communication skills and rapport-building capability.

• Very capable of managing their own time and schedule to meet strict deadlines.

• High levels of literacy and the ability to write extended pieces of written content with consistency.

• Reliable, conscientious, and hard-working.

Other

• Due to the need to work remotely on aspects of this work, the post-holder is expected to have a suitable space to work in and within which to hold online meetings without interruption. A reliable home internet connection is essential for this work.
• The post-holder will be supplied with a laptop computer for the length of this contract.
• Possession of a clean driving licence and access to a vehicle, whilst not wholly essential, would offer an advantage.
• This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Application

Interested candidates are initially encouraged to apply by letter and accompanying CV to be sent to brenda.vanbeijnum@designtechnology.org.uk. To be received no later than midday Wednesday the 3^rd of April 2024.

Online interviews will be held on Tuesday, the 9^th of April 2024 (times and interview format to be confirmed).