Lead Practitioner in Food Technology

Whickham School; Swalwell; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking educational institution in Swalwell is seeking a Lead Practitioner in Food Technology to drive educational innovation. This role focuses on coaching colleagues while modeling excellence in teaching across all levels. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Food Technology and a commitment to evidence-based practice. This permanent, full-time position offers reduced teaching time for professional development and opportunities for meaningful leadership experiences. Applications are open until January 16, 2026.

Benefits

Collaborative planning time

Access to fitness facilities

Leadership development opportunities

Salary sacrifice schemes

Priority for children's admission

Qualifications

• Expert Food Technology teacher who can teach confidently across KS3–KS5.
• Visionary with a focus on whole-school impact.
• Experience in coaching colleagues using evidence-based approaches.

Responsibilities

• Model excellence in Food Technology teaching.
• Coach and mentor colleagues.
• Lead the implementation of the Whickham Learning Model.
• Plan and deliver whole-school training.

Skills

Food Technology expertise

Coaching and mentoring

Innovative teaching methods

Relationship building

Evidence-based practice

Job description

Salary & Contract

Salary: Lead Practitioner Scale L1‑L5
Contract: Full‑time, permanent
Start Date: September 2026 (or sooner for the right candidate)

Why This Role is Different

Imagine a role where you don’t just teach – you transform teaching. As our Lead Practitioner in Food Technology you will be at the heart of educational innovation, working alongside a dynamic team of lead practitioners who are redefining what excellent teaching looks like. This is not about adding to your workload, it’s about amplifying your impact. You will have reduced teaching time to focus on developing cutting‑edge practice, coaching colleagues and ensuring every lesson counts for the pupils at Whickham School.

What Makes Whickham Special

We are not just another high‑performing school – our Progress 8 of +0.26 in 2024 and 81%+ achieving 4+ in English and Maths in 2025 speak for themselves. We genuinely invest in our staff and 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
• 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
• 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

Your Impact

You will join our successful IT, Business and Technology Faculty – a team of 13 staff who consistently deliver some of the school’s top results. More importantly, you will:

• 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 the 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

Who You Are

• • An expert Food Technology teacher who can teach confidently across KS3‑KS5
• • Has the vision to see beyond your own classroom to whole‑school impact
• • Thrives on developing others and seeing them succeed
• • Grounds your practice in evidence and research, not just "what works for me"
• • Understands that great teaching is about relationships, high expectations, and relentless focus on progress

Application Process

Application deadline: 9am, Friday 16th January 2026
Apply to: [e-mail]
Application forms: Download from the Whickham School website where you will also find further details about the school and role.

Next Steps

1. Visit us (optional but recommended) – see our facilities and meet the team
2. Download the full job description and person specification from our website
3. Complete your application – tell us why you are the person to take teaching and learning to the next level
4. Submit by 9am, 16th January 2026

Contact

Contact Simon Alexander at [e-mail] to arrange a time that works for you.

Legal Information

Whickham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. We expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding.