Graduate Teacher of Design

The Opportunity

Eton College has an exciting opportunity for a Graduate Teacher to join the Design department on a two- year fixed term contract starting in September 2026. We are recruiting for Graduate Teachers for the following pool of departments – Design, Drama,  Economics, History, Modern Languages & Cultures and Science.  

We are seeking an enthusiastic Graduate Teacher of Design to join our dynamic and successful department. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate to begin their teaching career in a well-equipped and forward-looking team.

The department is housed in the purpose-built Design Schools, with outstanding facilities including CAD studios, an engineering workshop with hot metals, a multi-media workshop, and rapid prototyping equipment such as CNC machinery and 3D printers. Pupils also benefit from enrichment through the Engineering and Design Society, which welcomes a wide range of visiting speakers.

Design is popular at all levels: all Year 9 pupils study the subject on rotation, around 70 pursue the CIE IGCSE Resistant Materials course, and many progress to CIE A level Design & Technology. Facilities remain open beyond timetabled hours, encouraging independent and creative project work.

With excellent resources, a supportive team of four teachers and two technicians, and a strong tradition of innovation, the department is ideally placed to support and inspire graduate teachers at the start of their career.

Eton is committed to the development of excellent teachers. Our Graduate Teacher Programme provides the opportunity for six graduates each year to begin their professional journey in teaching by immersing themselves in a full-boarding environment for two years. The programme offers structured, wide-ranging and personalised training, development and mentorship. It embodies Eton’s holistic vision of education, providing extensive experience and skills development within the three intersecting spheres of school life: academic, pastoral and co-curricular

Across the two years of the programme our Graduate Teachers will build the foundations for a successful and fulfilling career in teaching.

• Year 1 will follow an in-house Foundations programme, run by the Teaching and Learning team at our Centre for Innovation and Research in Learning (CIRL).
• Year 2 will provide graduate teachers with a PGCE and QTS, through our partnership with the National Institute for Teaching and Education (NITE) and the University of Coventry, enabling them to teach in both the state and private sectors.

In addition to the above, in order to enrol on the QTS Apprenticeship Route with PGCE, you will need to demonstrate that you hold the right to work and study in the UK and have been normally resident in the UK/EEA for the last three years.

Further details can be found here:

Graduate Teacher Development Programme - Eton College Careers

First Stage Teams Interviews: Thursday 13th and Friday 14th November 2025.

Final Stage Assessment Days: Wednesday 26th, Thursday 27th and Friday 28th November 2025.

Shortlisted candidates must be available to attend the College in person for the Assessment Days.

Due to the needs of the school and the department, we may interview suitable candidates before the closing date. This job may also close early if a large number of applications are received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid missing your chance to apply.

Main Duties

ACADEMIC

With the close support of your mentor and the Head of the Programme, you will: 

• Develop as a classroom practitioner, through a calibrated process that allows for a gradual increase in responsibility: from observing and reflecting and acting as a teaching assistant, through team-teaching or co-teaching responsibilities to taking sole responsibility for your classes in the second year;
• In Year 1, work with the Teaching and Learning team at our Centre for Innovation and Research in Learning (CIRL) on our Foundations course, which focuses on teaching fundamentals and building confidence and competence in the classroom;
• In Year 2, complete QTS (Apprenticeship Route) with PGCE delivered online through the National Institute for Teaching and Education (NITE) and the University of Coventry;
• Get fully involved in the busy life of an academic department. You could, for example, be developing resources; helping deliver partnership activities; providing one-to-one support sessions or clinics; assisting with university applications; providing cover; attending department INSET; supporting society meetings; invigilating internal examinations; and assisting with trips.

CO-CURRICULAR

With the guidance of a co-curricular mentor, you will:

• Contribute to the sports programme. Your involvement will depend upon your experience and expertise, but could range from shadowing, co-coaching and assisting with practices and providing supervision and guidance, to 1-2-1 coaching, refereeing and taking full responsibility for a team. Appropriate training and support will be provided;
• Contribute to other areas of the co-curriculum depending on your skills, experience and interest. There are a host of areas to be involved in including drama, outdoor education, CCF, debating, social impact, environmental or inclusion education, partnerships activities or additional sports;
• Work with our Summer Schools team to help deliver our Into University and Eton Connect summer schools for three weeks each summer;
• Provide logistical support for major school events, such as open days, parent/teacher meetings, as well as social events, trips, and the supervision of school transport at the start and end of holidays.

PASTORAL

You will:

• Undertake all pastoral and safeguarding training provided as part of the programme;
• Develop an understanding of the nature of a boarding community and the role of boarding house teams in the lives of students by joining a house team as an ‘assistant’ in your first year, undertaking a weekly duty evening and eating regularly with the boys in the house;
• Further develop your pastoral experience in the second year as a Resident House Tutor, becoming more fully involved in the life of a boarding house.

The Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will need: 

Academic Achievement:

• A good undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) in a curriculum subject (or a subject closely related to the school curriculum) and a clear passion for that subject;
• A standard equivalent to grade C/4, or above, in GCSE English and Mathematics, in order to meet the criteria for the QTS Apprenticeship Route and PGCE course in Year 2.

Knowledge and experience:

• Prior experience of working with, teaching, coaching or mentoring young people in any capacity; Experience of working in a team to achieve a shared goal;
• Knowledge, experience or interest in extra-curricular (co-curricular) activities;
• A commitment to uphold the highest standards of pupil welfare and safeguarding procedures.

Personal Qualities and Skills: 

• An interest in a career in teaching and an understanding of Eton’s holistic vision of education;
• A desire to contribute to the extra-curricular (co-curricular) activities offered by the College;
• A commitment to the pastoral well-being of young people and to uphold the highest standards of pupil welfare and safeguarding procedures;
• The desire to be fully involved with the life of a busy boarding school – this will include co-curricular and pastoral duties that fall on evenings and weekends; you appreciate a boarding school operates 24/7 during term time and this can sometimes impact on your personal plans;
• The ability to actively reflect on your own practice, and the willingness to take on board advice and constructive feedback;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills which will allow you to communicate effectively with a wide range of people;
• Excellent attention to detail with high levels of motivation, personal organisation, energy and initiative;
• Positivity, flexibility and the ability to juggle a variety of tasks.

Benefits

Offering a competitive salary of £25,000 per annum and accommodation, this is a 2 year fixed-term contract, starting in September 2026. 

Alongside this, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including 16% employer contribution to your pension (with 4.9% employee contribution), Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, a cycle to work scheme, free or heavily discounted access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses. 

About the College

We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils by fostering perseverance, tolerance and integrity. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

If you have any queries about the application process or any problem with submitting your application online, the Recruitment Team will be happy to help. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made or facilities provided to enable you to apply online, please do not hesitate to contact us on recruitment@etoncollege.org.uk so we can make adjustments accordingly. 

DISCLOSURE CHECKS

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to, reference checks with past employers, an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (including Barred List information), an online search and, where applicable, Prohibition checks. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form.  Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College.

Eton College