Head of Food and Nutrition

(MPS/UPS) + TLR 2c (£3391p.a.)

(Recruitment and Retention allowance may also be available)

Full Time  - September 2025 

We are looking to appoint a Head of Food and Nutrition who can both convey a real passion for the subject and contribute fully to the school’s wider aims and vision.

It is expected that the successful applicant will be able to fulfil the following criteria:

Qualifications :

• QTS and a good honours degree in a related subject (ECTs are welcome)

Experience:

• Ability to teach Food across KS3 - KS4 and at least a willingness to learn to teach our KS5 programme

Relationships: 

• A commitment to students as individuals

• A sensitive attitude to students of all abilities and ages and the ability to differentiate teaching to meet the needs of the most able and those with Special Educational needs

• An ability to create a stimulating and challenging learning environment for students

• A recognition of the importance of partnership with parents

• A supportive and cooperative approach to colleague

Personal Characteristics:

• A commitment to the AGS ethos

• A willingness to continue learning and developing as a teacher

• A reflective approach to their own practice and to the overall performance of the department

• Hard working and adaptable

• Happy to work independently or in collaboration

• Able to carry initiatives through to their conclusion

• Friendly and approachable

• Well organised and able to meet deadlines

• Demonstrate a passion for the subject and an ability to enthuse students of all ages

• A commitment to safeguarding children’s well being

• A commitment to playing a part in the wider life of the school

Head of Department Responsibilities:

• develop, lead and implement policies and practices throughout the school that reflect the school’s ethos and commitment to high achievement through effective teaching and learning.

• produce, maintain and regularly review the departmental Self-Evaluation Form and development plan, including analysis of examination results & achievement data.

• use performance data to evaluate students’ progress and, with appropriate colleagues, set targets or intervention/ improvement for groups of children.

• use performance data to identify areas of strength/weakness in teaching and take steps to spread good practice/address weaknesses identified with relevant colleagues.

• motivate and enthuse colleagues and encourage a shared understanding of the contribution the subject can make to all aspects of students’ lives and to the wider school vision.

• carry out the performance management of the team, oversee any delegated responsibility for this and support the professional development of members of the team.

• hold regular, minuted departmental meetings with a focus on improving teaching & learning

• support the team in managing student behaviour and setting high standards.

• monitor the quality of provision within the curriculum area, including sampling students' work, under-taking lesson observations etc. and take appropriate steps to ensure a high standard of provision is in place.

• ensure schemes of work and appropriate assessments are in place. This will require awareness of current trends in curriculum development, teaching techniques and the evolving demands of external examinations.

• actively contribute to whole school priorities, curriculum planning and the formulation of the school development plan.

• monitor the departmental budget and bid for curriculum development innovations.

• take charge of Health & Safety issues within the Department.

• liaise with the schools examinations officer to ensure the accurate entry of students for external examinations.

• liaise with partner schools to ensure pupils’ progress between phases is smooth & uninterrupted.

• oversee the effective running of an exciting extra and super-curricular programme.

The Department:

The Food & Nutrition Department has well-established programmes of study across all year groups and the successful applicant will be very well supported throughout their time here. This is an excellent opportunity to work in an outstanding creative environment with innovative and experienced colleagues and keen, well-motivated students.

Creative subjects at Alcester Grammar School are considered to be vital within the broad and balanced curriculum offered. Our vision is to maintain and develop a highly successful department where students' attainment and the quality of learning and teaching are of the highest standard. We are working to continually develop the department where students’ engagement and resilience are enhanced by innovative, forward looking and well-paced teaching. We aim to;

• develop our students’ food practical skills, their knowledge of food science and nutrition

• make food learning an enjoyable experience and therefore encourage a positive attitude and approach to the subject

• ensure students are prepared for making healthy, well informed nutrition choices throughout their life

Students at Alcester Grammar School are fortunate enough to study food all throughout key stage three for one hour per week. During this time, they are taught in groups of 26 in our state of the art facilities. Throughout years 7-9 they develop their practical skills, nutrition and food science knowledge. By the end of year 9 they should be very capable of cooking a range of predominantly savoury, nutritious dishes for themselves and their family, and have a clear understanding of how to make the best choices for a nutritionally balanced diet.

In year 10, students have the opportunity to choose GCSE AQA Food Preparation and Nutrition. Class sizes do not exceed 20 at KS4 and results have shown us to be consistently the highest performing subject at GCSE for many years at AGS, with over half of our students achieving a grade 9 and last year we were very proud that 100% of GCSE students achieved grades 7-9. 

Food is a popular GCSE choice with academic students relishing the combination of both theory and practical work. This is an opportunity to build on the departments’ current successes,and the successful applicant will show a desire to take on some of the wider responsibilities across the department for planning and developing our curriculum to ensure it continues to offer exciting, engaging and up to date lessons.

In the sixth form, we now offer WJEC Level 3 Food Science & Nutrition, a largely practical based vocational Diploma course which combines 1 written examination with 3 coursework units. This again is a successful subject as it is the only Level 3 qualification on offer for students wishing to pursue a career in Food and Nutrition.

We have a well established department with excellent technician support. The department works well as a team, where staff are encouraged to innovate in an atmosphere of mutual respect and support.

We were very fortunate to move into a brand new teaching block in September 2014. This comprises two spacious, very well equipped, dedicated food rooms, each with state of the art equipment, including blast chillers in each room. We make full use of ICT resources both within our food classrooms and by using ICT rooms in school. We run pop up cooking activities at various times throughout the year, and an eagerness to develop and organise this would be an advantage. We also offer food activities and trips during enrichment week. Last year we ran a residential trip to Sorrento, this year the destination is Barcelona and we are finalising plans for  a 2026 trip to New York.

In return, we will offer you:

• A high quality and bespoke CPD programme designed to enhance your skills and knowledge to support your professional development

• Two-week half-term break in October

• Enthusiastic students with a love of learning and, who want to succeed

• A culture of professional autonomy and a supportive staff - you join a real 'AGS Family' 

• Membership of the Teachers' Pension Scheme 

• Free on-site parking

• On-site catering at affordable prices

• Free on-site gym

• Multi-faith prayer room

• Convenient location in South Warwickshire with superb amenities and eminently affordable housing 

You can find out more about us from our website and we would be delighted to show you around our school. If you are interested in this role, we encourage you to visit us .  Please contact r.thorpe@alcestergs.com

Alcester Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment and to undergo appropriate pre-employment vetting checks, including a satisfactory Disclosing and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check.  

Alcester Grammar School is committed to developing a culture of inclusion in our school for the benefit of all staff, pupils and governors.  We believe that all staff should thrive irrespective of race, religious beliefs, disability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.  We recognise and respect values and differences and we work to remove any barriers which inhibit the development of people, including recruitment and retention.