Blackpool Skills Academy
Job Description
Job Title: Class Teacher – Construction (Carpentry & Joinery)
Reports to: Head of Department / Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
Salary: £26,000 – £36,000
Contract Type: Full-Time
Purpose of the Role
To deliver high-quality, engaging and practical Construction education to students aged 11–16, with a particular focus on Carpentry and Joinery.
The successful candidate will use their strong practical knowledge and experience of the construction industry to develop students' technical skills, confidence, employability and understanding of the workplace.
Many of our students may have experienced barriers to education and benefit from a practical, vocational approach to learning. The post holder will create a safe, positive, inclusive and highly structured workshop and classroom environment in which young people can develop both practical construction skills and the wider personal skills required for further education, apprenticeships and employment.
The post holder is engaged in regulated activity with children and must therefore demonstrate suitability to work with children and young people at all times.
Key Responsibilities
Teaching and Learning
- Plan and deliver engaging, differentiated Construction lessons for students aged 11–16.
- Deliver high-quality practical teaching with a strong emphasis on Carpentry and Joinery.
- Teach students the safe and effective use of appropriate hand tools, equipment, materials and workshop resources.
- Demonstrate practical techniques clearly and accurately, modelling professional standards of workmanship.
- Develop students' understanding of construction methods, materials, terminology and industry expectations.
- Support students in completing practical projects which progressively develop their skills, accuracy, independence and confidence.
- Make vocational learning relevant to the construction industry and future employment opportunities.
- Embed English, mathematics, employability and wider personal development skills naturally within practical learning.
- Adapt teaching approaches and practical activities to meet different ability levels and the needs of students with SEND and/or SEMH needs.
- Set clear learning objectives and maintain a consistent and structured learning environment.
- Assess, record and report on student progress and use assessment information to inform future teaching and intervention.
Carpentry and Joinery
The successful candidate will have strong knowledge and practical competence in Carpentry and Joinery and be able to teach and demonstrate areas such as:
- Safe use and maintenance of hand tools.
- Measuring, marking out and accurate cutting.
- Selection and appropriate use of timber and sheet materials.
- Construction and assembly techniques.
- Common woodworking joints and jointing methods.
- Fixings, fittings and adhesives.
- Basic first-fix and second-fix Carpentry skills where appropriate.
- Reading and interpreting basic drawings, plans and specifications.
- Accurate working to measurements and tolerances.
- Finishing techniques and producing work to an appropriate standard.
- Safe working practices within a construction/workshop environment.
- Understanding the expectations, behaviours and standards required within the construction industry.
Workshop Management, Health and Safety
- Maintain a safe, organised and purposeful practical learning environment.
- Ensure students receive appropriate instruction and supervision before using tools, machinery or equipment.
- Carry out appropriate checks of tools and equipment and report defects promptly.
- Ensure tools, materials and equipment are stored securely and appropriately.
- Maintain accurate inventories and support the ordering and management of construction materials and consumables.
- Follow Academy risk assessments, COSHH requirements and safe systems of work.
- Contribute to the development and review of workshop risk assessments and operating procedures as required.
- Ensure appropriate PPE is used and that students understand why workplace safety procedures are essential.
- Model excellent health and safety practice at all times.
- Promote professional workshop behaviours including housekeeping, care of tools and equipment, teamwork and personal responsibility.
Curriculum and Assessment
- Contribute to the development of an engaging and progressive Construction curriculum.
- Develop schemes of work, lesson resources and practical projects which build students' skills over time.
- Deliver appropriate accredited vocational qualifications where required.
- Maintain appropriate evidence of students' practical work and achievement.
- Assess practical competence accurately and provide constructive feedback.
- Track and monitor individual progress and implement targeted support and intervention.
- Help students understand progression routes into college, apprenticeships, training and employment within Construction and the wider built-environment sector.
Classroom and Behaviour Management
- Establish and maintain high expectations for behaviour using the Academy's PAUSE and CARE values.
- Apply the Academy's consequence and rewards systems consistently.
- Establish clear routines and expectations for behaviour within the workshop, particularly around the safe use of tools and equipment.
- Foster a safe, respectful and supportive environment where students feel confident to participate, learn from mistakes and succeed.
- Use practical learning as a means of developing resilience, responsibility, teamwork and pride in achievement.
Pastoral Support
- Build positive and trusting professional relationships with students.
- Support students' emotional wellbeing, resilience and personal development.
- Recognise when students require additional support and work closely with pastoral staff, SENCO and the safeguarding team.
- Contribute to student reports, review meetings and behaviour support plans where appropriate.
- Encourage students to develop the attitudes and behaviours required for successful progression into further education, apprenticeships and employment.
Wider Academy Contribution
- Contribute to the ongoing development of Construction and vocational education within Blackpool Skills Academy.
- Take part in staff training, INSET and CPD.
- Maintain and develop professional knowledge of the Construction industry and current working practices.
- Contribute to whole-centre events, enrichment activities and off-site educational visits.
- Support opportunities for employer engagement, careers education and links with local Construction employers and training providers where appropriate.
- Uphold and model the Academy's values in all interactions with students, families, colleagues and external partners.
Safeguarding
- Always promote the safety and wellbeing of all students.
- Report safeguarding concerns immediately in accordance with the Academy's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
- Promote the welfare of children and young people, maintain professional curiosity and follow safeguarding procedures in accordance with Academy policy and current Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
- Maintain an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding, child protection and Prevent Duty requirements.
- Participate in all mandatory safeguarding training.
- Comply with the Academy Staff Code of Conduct and maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
Blackpool Skills Academy promotes a culture of vigilance and expects all staff to share responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Person Specification
Essential
- Strong practical knowledge and occupational competence within Carpentry and Joinery.
- Relevant Construction and/or Carpentry & Joinery industry qualification or substantial equivalent occupational experience.
- Ability to confidently demonstrate practical Carpentry and Joinery skills to young people.
- Sound knowledge of construction workshop health and safety.
- Ability to manage practical learning safely and effectively.
- Experience of working with children or young people, or the skills and aptitude to transfer significant industry/training experience into an educational environment.
- Ability to build positive professional relationships with young people and manage behaviour effectively.
- Ability to plan structured practical learning which enables students to make measurable progress.
- Strong organisational, communication and planning skills.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- Commitment to inclusive practice and the ability to support students who may have experienced barriers to mainstream education.
- A recognised teaching qualification or willingness to work towards an appropriate teaching qualification within three years of appointment.
Desirable
- QTS, QTLS, PGCE, Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training or equivalent.
- NVQ/City & Guilds or equivalent qualification in Carpentry and Joinery.
- Recent or substantial experience working within the Construction industry.
- Experience delivering vocational Construction qualifications.
- Assessor qualification or experience assessing practical vocational competence.
- Experience working within Alternative Provision, SEND, SEMH or another non-mainstream educational environment.
- Experience supporting young people towards apprenticeships, further education or employment.
- Knowledge of current Construction industry standards and career pathways.
Application Process
Applicants must complete the Academy Application Form. CVs may be submitted in addition but will not be accepted as a substitute for a completed application form.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.
Employment offers will be subject to satisfactory references and all required safer recruitment checks.
Additional Information
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Carpenter, Joiner, Construction Tutor or Construction Teacher who wants to use their industry knowledge to make a meaningful difference to young people's futures.
We recognise that the strongest candidate may come from either an education background or directly from industry. Applicants with substantial Carpentry and Joinery experience who do not currently hold a teaching qualification are therefore encouraged to apply where they are willing and able to develop their teaching practice and work towards an appropriate qualification.
The successful applicant must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.
Blackpool Skills Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check.
Appointment is subject to satisfactory safer recruitment checks including references, identity verification, qualification verification, right-to-work checks, online searches and, where applicable, prohibition from teaching checks.
Pay: £26,000.00-£36,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
