Lead Practitioner Technology

Whickham School; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Gateshead is seeking an inspirational Lead Practitioner specializing in Technology. The successful candidate will teach students from KS3 to KS5 and engage in collaborative development with a team of lead practitioners. Candidates with experience in Engineering, Food, or Product Design are encouraged to apply. This role offers a supportive work environment with a strong emphasis on work/life balance and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Salary sacrifice schemes (bicycles & electric vehicles)

Access to fitness facilities outside school hours

Leadership development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in Engineering, Food, and/or Product Design is advantageous.
• Understanding of pastoral work and restorative approaches.
• Strong subject-specific pedagogy and development skills.

Responsibilities

• Teach Technology across KS3-KS5.
• Engage in collaborative faculty meetings for pedagogy improvement.
• Support the development of students' aspirational goals.

Skills

Enthusiasm and commitment

Ability to teach across age ranges KS3-KS5

Experience in Technology disciplines

Collaboration skills for faculty meetings

Empathy and understanding of students' needs

Job description

This is a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed individual to make a difference in the lives of young people. We place a strong emphasis on pastoral work and the role of a tutor, and use a restorative approach in supporting pupils. The school is heavily oversubscribed and results are considerably above local and national averages, progress 8 in 2024 was +0.26 and attainment figures in 2025 were very strong with over 81% of pupils gaining 4+ in both English and Mathematics.

Our vision for all our pupils is that they are valued and inspired to be the best that they can be. We seek to develop the following 4 qualities in our pupils:

• Aspiration - Whickham students set aspirational goals that are ambitious and without limitation.
• Respect - Without compromise, Whickham students demonstrate respect for themselves, others and their environment.
• Resilience - Whickham students persevere with challenges especially when faced with setbacks.
• Empathy - Whickham students strive to be kind, caring and understanding of each other's feelings and needs.

One of our unique strengths and selling points is our commitment to staff, which includes:

• Reduced teaching allocation to allow for each faculty to meet collaboratively for an hour each fortnight in specialist subject teams to support subject-specific pedagogy and development
• Access to a range of salary sacrifice schemes (e.g., bicycle & electric vehicles leasing)
• Leadership and Teaching & Learning development opportunities
• A supportive environment where work/life balance issues are considered carefully
• A highly regarded ECT programme which receives very positive feedback
• Access to school fitness facilities out of school hours
• Higher priority for admission of children of staff into the school

Specific details regarding the role and skills and qualities that the successful candidate will need to demonstrate are in the attached job description and person. Please indicate the Technology disciplines you have experience of teaching in your letter of application. We are flexible in terms of required technology skill sets any applicant can offer, and encourage applications from Engineering, Food and/or Product Design specialisms. We welcome visits by prospective applicants to the school.

Whickham School is seeking to recruit an engaging and inspirational Lead Practitioner with a specialism in Technology. You must have the ability to teach across the age ranges from KS3-KS5. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work alongside our team of five lead practitioners, who have shaped the strong T & L practice at Whickham School. You will be joining a successful IT, Business and Technology Faculty team of 13 staff. Our Technology subjects are consistently some of the top performing in the school and led by an experienced team who make the very most of our outstanding technology facilities.