Head of Technology

North East Combined Authority; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Lift Unity City is seeking an inspirational Head of Technology to join a thriving Middlesbrough school. You will lead departments across Woodwork, Resistant Materials, Metalwork, Engineering and related subjects, shaping a practical, ambitious curriculum that prepares students for future careers.

You will have QTS in technology, strong leadership, and a track record of improving outcomes. You will develop innovative schemes of work, analyse data to close attainment gaps, and coach staff to

Qualifications

• QTS across technology subjects and a strong teaching track record.
• Proven experience as a middle leader improving outcomes.
• Ability to design, implement and evaluate schemes of work.
• Experience analysing student data to close attainment gaps.
• Experience leading teams and managing practical teaching spaces.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Technology department and drive improvement across subjects.
• Develop and evaluate schemes of work for technology disciplines.
• Analyse data to inform interventions and raise attainment.
• Coach and support staff to excel and develop their careers.
• Engage with parents and stakeholders as part of the leadership team.

Skills

QTS Technology

Middle Leader

Data Analysis

Team Leadership

Curriculum Design

Education

QTS (Technology)

Job description

Think you know Lift Unity City? It might surprise you!

Lift Unity City is fast becoming the local school of choice as we are driven by an unwavering commitment to transforming futures, breaking social stereotypes, and ensuring every student secures excellent life opportunities; highlighted by our recent national recognition with the Excellence in Pupil Development Award and our best ever GCSE results in 2026.

This is an exciting time for an ambitious leader to join our team and play a key role in our journey of transformation. Could that be you?

About the role

The world our students will enter is changing rapidly. Advances in technology, engineering, traditional manufacturing, skilled craftsmanship, digital media, artificial intelligence, and the creative industries are transforming the skills that employers need and the opportunities available to young people. At Lift Unity City, we believe every student deserves access to an ambitious, practical, relevant, and inspiring curriculum that prepares them for that future. This role sits at the heart of that mission. Whether your background is in traditional workshop disciplines; such as Woodwork, Resistant Materials, Metalwork, and Engineering or in Food Technology, Hospitality, Textiles, CAD/CAM, or Product Design, we welcome applications from leaders from across all technology disciplines.

We are committed to celebrating and delivering the full breadth of school technology subjects, ensuring every practical and creative field is valued. As Head of Technology, you will do more than lead a collection of subjects. You will help shape the experiences that develop creativity, practical craftsmanship, problem-solving, resilience, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial thinking in our students. You will create pathways that open doors to careers, vocational apprenticeships, engineering routes, and further study, particularly for young people who may never have considered these opportunities possible.

What we are looking for

• An outstanding classroom practitioner with QTS across any technology specialism
• An experienced middle leader or Head of Department with a proven track record of improving outcomes
• Passionate about practical craftsmanship, innovation, creativity, and technical education.
• Ambitious for young people and determined to provide opportunities that broaden horizons.
• Experience of having designed, implemented and evaluated effective, imaginative and stimulating schemes of work.
• Ability to analyse and evaluate student data to plan department-wide interventions to close attainment and progress gaps.
• Skilled in developing teams, managing practical teaching environments, and supporting colleagues to excel.
• UK school and curriculum experience within the the last 2 years.
• You must be available to attend an interview at our school, in person within 4 -6 days notice.
• Do you have what it takes to transform and lead a department with ambition and dedication to outcomes? If so we would love to hear from you.

About our school:

Lift Unity City is a thriving, diverse school in Middlesbrough with a clear ambition: every young person should succeed. We are a school with real momentum, building on a three-year improving trend in results and attendance, alongside a reduction in suspensions.Our recent Ofsted inspection recognised strong leadership, positive staff-pupil relationships, a strong culture of inclusion and wellbeing, and a clear commitment to developing both pupils and staff. As a result, our progress is delivering results: 2026 saw our best-ever GCSE results. We also hold the national Excellence in Pupil Development Award, recognising our commitment to developing confident, resilient and well-rounded young people.

Our vision is simple: everyone has a determination to succeed, a love of learning, pride in their school and a strength of character. We offer high support and high expectations, with excellent professional development and the opportunity to make a real difference.

If you want to join a school with ambition, momentum and a genuine opportunity to shape its next chapter, Lift Unity City is the place to be.

We warmly welcome visits to the school, to arrange a visit please contact: [e-mail]

Who is Lift Schools?

Lift Schools is made up of 62 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 35,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives - and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

How we support you

We want you to feel supported, valued and able to grow throughout your career with Lift Schools. From high-quality professional development and career progression to wellbeing support and opportunities to connect and collaborate across our network, we invest in you so you can do your best work.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.