Head of Food & Nutrition
West Kirby Grammar School, Wirral, Merseyside, CH48 5DP19 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
6 May 2026 at 9am
Date listed
17 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Subject
- Food technology
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- M1 to UPS3
Additional allowances
TLR2a £3,527 p.a.
What skills and experience we're looking for
Full-time, Permanent. Required from September 2026 – TLR 2a
The Governors of this exceptional Grammar School wish to appoint an excellent and committed Head of Food & Nutrition to lead our provision across Key Stages 3 and 4. This is a full-time, permanent leadership post with a TLR 2a, commencing in September 2026.
Food and Nutrition is a valued and popular strand within our thriving Design and Technology Faculty. The successful candidate will provide strong subject leadership, ensuring that teaching and learning is ambitious, inclusive and engaging at every stage. They will lead on curriculum planning, assessment and quality assurance within Food and Nutrition, working closely with the Head of Faculty and other subject leaders to promote a collaborative and forward-looking departmental culture.
We are seeking a reflective and ambitious practitioner with excellent classroom practice, strong subject knowledge and the ability to inspire both students and colleagues. The successful candidate will be committed to maintaining high standards of progress and outcomes, while also developing enrichment opportunities that bring Food and Nutrition learning to life.
West Kirby Grammar School is a highly successful selective girls’ school with a coeducational Sixth Form. There are approximately 1,200 students on roll, and academic outcomes are exceptional. In 2025, 22% of GCSE grades were awarded at Grade 9 and 44% at Grades 9–8. Students achieved an average grade of 7.15, with 66% of all grades at 9–7. At A level, results were equally strong, with 65% of grades awarded at A*–B and an average grade of B.
The school was ranked 23rd nationally out of more than 4,000 state schools in The Telegraph’s annual school rankings, placing us 1st among all state schools in Wirral, Merseyside and Chester and 5th in the North West of England. These outcomes reflect the exceptional standards of achievement, progress and student destinations.
Further information and an application form are available to download from the School’s website (www.wkgs.org) or by contacting the School on 0151 632 3449. A completed application form and a letter addressing the content of the person specification (no longer than two sides of A4) should be submitted to office@wkgs.net for the attention of Mr S. Clarke, Headteacher.
Closing Date 9am on Friday 1st May 2026
Anticipated interview date Wednesday 6th May 2026
Key Responsibilities
- To lead the design, sequencing, and delivery of the Food and Nutrition curriculum across KS3–4, ensuring provision is academically ambitious, inclusive, and engaging.
- To embed rigorous and purposeful assessment strategies, including formative assessment, exam-style tasks, NEA guidance, and structured pupil response activities.
- To implement and monitor quality assurance processes at KS3 and KS4, ensuring consistent marking, feedback, and teaching aligned with departmental and whole-school expectations.
- To oversee administration and internal verification of KS4 NEA work and liaise with Exam Boards as required.
- To monitor student progress and use data to inform targeted interventions and support strategies, ensuring aspirational outcomes for all learners.
- To support staff in addressing gaps in student knowledge and skills, planning effective classroom strategies, and delivering additional interventions as needed.
- To coordinate extracurricular and enrichment opportunities related to Food and Nutrition, including visits, workshops, and other subject-specific activities.
- To contribute to departmental development planning, ensuring progression and consistency across both key stages.
- To work closely with other TLR holders and the Head of Faculty to promote collaboration and consistency across the Design and Technology Department.
- General Expectations
- To act as a role model of professional conduct and high-quality teaching.
- To stay informed about subject-specific developments in Food and Nutrition education, including curriculum and assessment changes.
- To participate fully in department meetings, training, and whole-school initiatives.
- To contribute to the wider life of the school and support the school’s vision and values.
This person specification is related to the requirements of the post as determined by the job description. Short listing is carried out on the basis of how well you meet the requirements of the person specification. You should refer to these requirements when completing your application.
E: Essential D: Desirable
1. Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent in Food, Nutrition, or a closely related subject (E)
- QTS (Secondary Phase) (E)
- Further degree or leadership qualification (e.g. NPQ, MA/MEd) (D)
2. Experience
- Successful teaching of Food and Nutrition at KS3 and KS4 (E)
- Evidence of strong outcomes for students at GCSE (E)
- Experience of contributing to curriculum development and quality assurance at KS3–4 (E)
- Experience of supporting or leading aspects of departmental work (D)
- Experience of leading or coordinating extracurricular or enrichment opportunities in Food and Nutrition (D)
- Experience of using student progress data to inform planning and intervention (D)
3. Knowledge and Skills
- Strong subject knowledge in Food and Nutrition across KS3–4 (E)
- Understanding of curriculum planning, sequencing, and assessment at KS3–4 (E)
- Knowledge of NEA processes, exam board requirements, and internal verification (E)
- Ability to analyse student progress data and implement effective interventions (E)
- Understanding of how to support stretch and challenge for all learners, including high prior attainers (E)
- Awareness of current research and developments in Food and Nutrition education (D)
- Competence in using Microsoft Office and/or digital tools for curriculum and assessment work (D)
4. Special Requirements
- A belief in the potential of all students to achieve at the highest-level (E)
- High expectations of self and others, with a commitment to continuous improvement (E)
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with students, colleagues and parents (E)
- Willingness to contribute to the wider life of the department and school (E)
- Enhanced DBS clearance and identity checks (E)
- Professional approach to conduct, attendance and dress (E)
What the school offers its staff
- Greater PPA time than national recommendation
- Deadlines well publicised and staff consulted on the annual calendar
- Reduced data collections to ensure no collections for data’s sake
- Considerate approach to lesson observations, drop-ins and learning walks
- Headteacher ‘Open Door’ Policy at all times
- Opportunities for professional development always considered
- Dedicated classroom wherever possible for teaching staff
- Access for all staff to self-referral Health & Wellbeing Support package
- In-house Wellbeing Manager available to all staff, and Staff Wellbeing Committee that monitors and responds to staff needs.
- A flexible and generous approach to family appointments and child events
- On site car parking available
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Regular social events organised by the Social Committee
Further information about the job
CV's or approaches from agencies are not accepted
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 job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About West Kirby Grammar School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1186 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- West Kirby Grammar School website
- Email address
- office@wkgs.net
- Phone number
- 0151 632 3449
A selective, all-girls grammar school with co-educational sixth form, providing Wirral and the wider region with an outstanding education since 1913.
Every student arrives at West Kirby Grammar School with a unique combination of talents, skills and aspirations – it’s our job to help each of our students to discover and nurture theirs.
We do this by providing pupils with a wealth of opportunities and choices, enabling everyone to find out what they enjoy and are good at. We create a caring and supportive environment, whilst at the same time allowing students to solve problems for themselves, ensuring that we develop resilient and enterprising learners.
We don’t believe that anyone is born with fixed abilities and intelligence. With the right teaching, support and motivation, children can grow and thrive in subjects they never considered themselves to be cut out for. And whilst our academic record speaks for itself, we know that students learn and develop both in and out of the classroom. That’s why we offer such a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities, through which pupils develop vital life skills and forge lasting friendships.
Because of all of this, our students leave us equipped to thrive in a complex world, ready to make a positive contribution locally and globally as tomorrow’s leaders.
Arranging a visit to West Kirby Grammar School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email office@wkgs.net.
School location
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