Head Of Food Technology

Choice Teachers; Kings Langley; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Choice Teachers is recruiting a Head of Food Technology and Subject Leader of Food for an inclusive secondary school in Kings Langley, starting January 2027. The role blends leadership with classroom excellence, overseeing KS3/KS4 Food Technology, Nutrition, and Hospitality.

You will drive curriculum development, data-informed planning, and health and safety across dedicated facilities, while mentoring staff and supporting GCSE outcomes and vocational pathways.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent secondary teaching qualification.
• Holds a relevant degree in Food Technology, Nutrition, Home Economics, or Hospitality.
• Has proven experience teaching Food Technology and Nutrition across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 within a UK secondary school.
• Shares the school's core vision of character formation, inclusion, and academic excellence.
• Demonstrates strong leadership qualities, organisational capability, and high standards for student behaviour and practical discipline.
• Possesses up-to-date knowledge of food hygiene, kitchen health and safety, and statutory safeguarding practices.

Responsibilities

• Departmental Leadership: Lead, manage, and develop the Food Technology curriculum across KS3 and KS4.
• Curriculum & Data Strategy: Plan an ambitious curriculum; analyze attainment data to drive progress.
• GCSE & Practical Success: Deliver engaging GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition lessons and practicals.
• Health & Safety & Resource Management: Ensure H&S compliance; manage resources and budget.
• Staff Mentoring & Collaboration: Coach and mentor colleagues within the department.

Skills

QTS

Leadership

Curriculum design

Food Tech

Education

Food Tech/Nutrition degree

Job description

Head of Food Technology / Subject Leader of Food

Location: Kings Langley, Hertfordshire

Start Date: January 2027 (or later for the right candidate / notice period dependent)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Fringe Main / Upper Pay Scale (£32,987 - £45,214 per annum) + TLR Allowance

Subject Focus: Food Technology, Food Preparation & Nutrition, Hospitality & Catering (KS3 & KS4)

Choice Teachers are currently recruiting for an ambitious, innovative, and experienced Subject Leader of Food Technology to lead a successful, determined, and supportive learning area at an inclusive secondary school located in Kings Langley, starting in January 2027 (with flexibility for a later start date to accommodate the right candidate's notice period).

About the School & Department

Rebuilt under the Priority School Building Programme with state-of-the-art facilities, the Design and Technology learning area features six large purpose-built rooms- including two dedicated, fully equipped food technology rooms with attached storage, preparation facilities, and Clevertouch interactive whiteboards. The successful department is supported by dedicated technicians and boasts a strong track record of student achievement, including regional successes in the Big Bang prize and the Rotary Young Chef competition.

As a national lead school in Character Education (awarded the National Character Kitemark Plus), the school places a strong emphasis on building values, resilience, and moral fortitude so that students are equipped to \"make the right choices\" and flourish both academically and personally.

Key Responsibilities & Leadership

• Departmental Leadership: Work alongside the Learning Area Leader of Technology to lead, manage, and develop the Food Technology curriculum, ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, and assessment across KS3 and KS4.


• Curriculum & Data Strategy: Plan an ambitious, progressive curriculum covering food preparation, nutrition, food safety, and culinary techniques; lead on the analysis of student attainment data to drive progress.


• GCSE & Practical Success: Deliver engaging lessons preparing students for GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition and vocational pathways, fostering a hands-on love for cooking and nutrition.


• Health & Safety & Resource Management: Ensure rigorous health and safety compliance across culinary spaces, managing subject resources and budget procurement effectively.


• Staff Mentoring & Collaboration: Provide coaching, mentoring, and support for colleagues and trainees within the department to foster professional growth.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for an educator who:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent secondary teaching qualification.


• Holds a relevant degree in Food Technology, Nutrition, Home Economics, or Hospitality.


• Has proven experience teaching Food Technology and Nutrition across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 within a UK secondary school.


• Shares the school's core vision of character formation, inclusion, and academic excellence.


• Demonstrates strong leadership qualities, organisational capability, and high standards for student behaviour and practical discipline.


• Possesses up-to-date knowledge of food hygiene, kitchen health and safety, and statutory safeguarding practices.

Location & Tra