Lead Practitioner in Food Technology

Teaching Vacancies; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational organization in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking an experienced Food Technology teacher to model excellence and drive innovation in teaching. The successful candidate will coach colleagues, lead development initiatives, and contribute to a collaborative environment. This role offers a competitive salary, benefits such as reduced teaching allocation, and a commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all students. Join a community that truly invests in its staff while providing a supportive and dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Collaborative planning time

Reduced teaching allocation

Access to fitness facilities

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Demonstrate excellence in teaching Food Technology across KS3-KS5.
• Coach and mentor colleagues through evidence-based strategies.
• Lead the implementation of effective learning models in the classroom.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver training sessions that transform teaching across subjects.
• Work with engaged pupils in a high-aspiring environment.
• Support whole-school development through established lead practitioners.

Skills

Outstanding Food Technology teaching

Coaching and mentoring

Innovation in education

Effective training delivery

High pupil engagement

Job description

What we’re looking for

• Model excellence – demonstrate what outstanding Food Technology teaching looks like across KS3-KS5.
• Develop others – coach and mentor colleagues using evidence-based approaches.
• Drive innovation – lead our Whickham Learning Model implementation, ensuring every pupil experiences the four stages of effective learning.
• Shape practice – plan and deliver whole‑school training that transforms teaching across all subjects.
• Make it real – work with pupils who are genuinely engaged, in a school where behaviour is strong and aspiration is high. Our uptake of food at level 2 & 3 is high and growing.

What the school offers its staff

What Makes Whickham Special? We’re not just another high‑performing school (though our Progress 8 of +0.26 in 2024 and 81%+ achieving 4+ in English and Maths in 2025 speaks for itself). We’re a community that genuinely invests in our staff.

Your work‑life balance matters to us

• Dedicated collaborative planning time – one hour every fortnight with your subject team.
• Reduced teaching allocation so you can focus on development and coaching.
• Flexible approach to work‑life balance considerations.
• Access to fitness facilities outside school hours.

We invest in your growth

• Work with our established team of lead practitioners shaping whole‑school practice.
• Leadership development opportunities that are meaningful, not just box‑ticking.
• Evidence‑based CPD that actually makes a difference.

The practical benefits

• Salary sacrifice schemes including bicycle and electric vehicle leasing.
• Higher priority for your children’s admission to our heavily oversubscribed school.
• Modern, outstanding technology facilities to work with.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), medical, online and social media prohibition from teaching, right to work, satisfactory references, suitability to work with children. You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.