Lead Practitioner in Food Technology

North East Ambition; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative educational institution seeks a Lead Practitioner in Food Technology to drive educational innovation while mentoring other teachers and enhancing classroom practices. The role offers reduced teaching time to focus on impactful development and coaching, ideal for an expert who thrives on collaboration and evidence-based teaching strategies. Located in Gateshead, this position provides opportunities for leadership development and a supportive community aimed at transforming educational outcomes.

Benefits

Collaborative planning time

Access to fitness facilities

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Ability to teach Food Technology across KS3-KS5.
• Vision for whole-school impact beyond personal classroom.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring teachers.

Responsibilities

• Transform teaching practice through mentoring and innovative strategies.
• Lead the implementation of effective learning models.
• Plan and deliver training for staff.

Skills

Expert Food Technology teaching

Evidence-based practice

Development of colleagues

Confidence across KS3-KS5

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

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’ll be at the heart of educational innovation, working alongside a dynamic team of lead practitioners who are redefining what excellent teaching looks like.

This isn’t about adding to your workload – it’s about amplifying your impact. You’ll have reduced teaching time to focus on what matters: developing cutting‑edge practice, coaching colleagues, and ensuring every lesson counts for the pupils at Whickham School.

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

Your Impact

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

• 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.

Who You Are

You're an expert Food Technology teacher who:

• 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"
• Can teach confidently across KS3‑KS5
• Understands that great teaching is about relationships, high expectations, and relentless focus on progress

Ready to transform teaching practice at Whickham?

Want to see it for yourself? We actively encourage visits. Contact Simon Alexander at [e-mail] to arrange a time that works for you.

Application deadline: 9am, Friday 16th January 2026

Submit to: [e-mail]

Application forms: Download from Whickham School website where you will also find further details about the school and role.

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.

What Happens Next?

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’re the person to take teaching and learning to the next level
4. Submit by 9am, 16th January 2026

Questions?

Contact Simon Alexander: [e-mail]