Head of Food, Health and Social Care
Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5SL13 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
7 May 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
23 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Subjects
- Food technology, Health and social care
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £32,916.00 - £51,048.00 Annually (Actual) MPR/UPR` based on experience. Plus a TLR 2b allowance
Head of Food, Health and Social Care job summary
Maiden Erlegh School in Reading is seeking to appoint a Head of Food, Health and Social Care to lead and develop a successful department. This is a key leadership role focused on securing high quality teaching, an ambitious curriculum and strong outcomes for all students. The postholder will be accountable for standards of teaching, learning, achievement and behaviour within the department, while also contributing to whole school improvement and curriculum development.
The role includes teaching across the subject area and delivering highly effective and engaging lessons that inspire students and promote excellent progress.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Food, Health and Social Care department to secure strong progress and attainment for all students, including those with SEND, disadvantaged students and the more able
- Ensure consistently high-quality teaching and learning across the department
- Develop and implement an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum that meets the needs of all learners
- Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching, learning and outcomes, providing coaching and support to colleagues
- Lead robust assessment practices, using data to inform teaching, intervention and improvement planning
- Establish and maintain high standards of behaviour for learning and student engagement
- Ensure safeguarding, health and safety and wellbeing are prioritised, particularly within practical learning environments
- Line manage and develop departmental colleagues, including appraisal and professional development
- Manage departmental resources effectively, including equipment and specialist facilities
- Promote enrichment opportunities such as trips, visits and extra-curricular activities
The Ideal Candidate
- Qualified Teacher Status and a degree in a relevant subject area
- Strong subject knowledge across Food, Health and Social Care
- Proven ability to deliver highly effective teaching that secures strong student progress
- Experience of curriculum development and improving teaching and learning
- Ability to lead, coach and develop colleagues within a department
- Strong assessment and data analysis skills to inform interventions and drive improvement
- Highly effective classroom management with high expectations of behaviour for learning
- Commitment to inclusive practice and supporting all learners to achieve their potential
- High levels of professionalism, integrity and accountability
Maiden Erlegh School in Reading (MER)
Maiden Erlegh School in Reading is an ambitious, over-subscribed 11-16 secondary school in an urban context. The school is as committed to staff and student wellbeing as it is to delivering high-quality education.
Staff voice is central to shaping change and wellbeing priorities. The school benefits from excellent modern facilities and is proud of its vibrant, diverse student body who work hard and have high aspirations. A link to the school can be found here
About Maiden Erlegh Trust
Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across eleven schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.
We Aim High, Be Inclusive and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.
Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference, a day that brings colleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.
Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise, playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.
Further information about working with us, and insight from colleagues across the Trust, can be found here on our website.
Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust
Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including :
Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service
ME Day - One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event
Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities
Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles
Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points
Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)
Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes
Mental Health First Aid Support
Recognition and Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET
Employee Referral Scheme
Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.
Additional Information
If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.
Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references
Further information about the job
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.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Maiden Erlegh School in Reading
- School type
- Free School, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 885 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Maiden Erlegh School in Reading website
Maiden Erlegh School in Reading is an ambitious, over-subscribed 11-16 secondary school in an urban context which is as committed to the welfare of students and staff as it is our high quality education. Our school benefits from excellent, modern facilities and teaching spaces and we are very proud of our vibrant, diverse and engaging students who work hard and have high aspirations.
We have a highly effective team of tenacious, optimistic and talented staff , supported by an experienced leadership team.
Professional development is a strength here, thanks to our Teaching School. We offer a flexible CPD programme which staff can tailor to their own needs which includes coaching and training for new entrants to the profession and to support career returners. We are very happy to discuss flexible working arrangements including part-time working and job-sharing.
The school is a part of the Maiden Erlegh Trust which offers a range of career opportunities in our vibrant and successful schools. We have a proven track record of supporting ambitious staff to middle and senior leadership posts and our can offer Specialist Leader of Education and school improvement opportunities to the right candidates
School location
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