Head of Food Technology

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5SL

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  15 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  1 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: Food technology
• 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 Technology job summary

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading is seeking a committed and knowledgeable Head of Food to lead the strategic development of Food Technology within the school. This is a key leadership role focused on delivering an ambitious, inclusive and well-sequenced curriculum that enables all students to achieve strong outcomes and develop secure subject knowledge.

The role combines high-quality classroom practice with subject leadership. The postholder will lead curriculum design and implementation, ensure high standards of teaching and assessment, and drive improvement through effective monitoring, evaluation and intervention. There is a strong emphasis on supporting all learners, including those who are not yet fluent readers, and ensuring equity of access and achievement across all student groups.

You will lead, develop and line manage the Food Technology team, building a culture of high expectations, collaboration and continuous improvement. You will also contribute to wider school and Trust priorities, working closely with senior leaders and colleagues across Maiden Erlegh Trust to share best practice and strengthen curriculum provision.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of an ambitious and inclusive Food Technology curriculum

Ensure consistently high-quality teaching, learning and assessment across the department

Monitor student progress and implement timely, effective interventions to secure strong outcomes

Line manage, coach and develop colleagues within the subject team

Oversee curriculum planning, schemes of work and enrichment opportunities

Ensure robust assessment systems, including standardisation and accurate reporting

Promote high standards of behaviour, engagement and student wellbeing

Support disadvantaged students, those with SEND and other priority groups to achieve their potential

Contribute to whole school and Trust curriculum development and improvement priorities

Manage the departmental budget effectively and ensure compliance with health and safety requirements

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will:

Be a qualified teacher with strong subject knowledge in Food Technology

Have experience of curriculum leadership or the capacity to step into a leadership role

Demonstrate a track record of high-quality teaching and improving student outcomes

Be skilled in using assessment and data to inform planning and intervention

Have strong leadership, organisational and communication skills

Be committed to inclusion, high expectations and supporting all students to succeed

Be able to coach and develop colleagues effectively

Contribute positively to the wider life of the school and Trust

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

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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.

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
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/maiden-erlegh-school-in-reading

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

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