Job Description

Are you a resilient, empathetic, and enthusiastic Food Technology Teacher looking for a deeply rewarding role this September? A state-of-the-art, purpose-built Special Educational Needs (SEN) Secondary School in Hillingdon is seeking a dedicated professional with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to lead their practical-based Food Tech curriculum.

The academy supports young people aged 11-19 with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Many of the students have had difficult prior experiences with mainstream education. The school relies heavily on a highly supportive, restorative, and reflective practice approach (rather than detentions or exclusions) to reconnect students with learning.

This role begins as a full-time temporary contract via the agency, offering a clear and direct pathway to a permanent contract for the right candidate.

• Deliver Hands-On Learning: Plan and deliver engaging, practical-focused Food Technology and hospitality lessons that accommodate complex emotional and learning needs.

• Nurture Life Skills: Use culinary arts to build student confidence, independence, teamwork, and healthy lifestyle habits.

• De-escalation & Positive Behaviour Support: Implement strong, calm classroom management using the school's restorative framework to support students when they feel overwhelmed.

• Maintain High Safety Standards: Ensure the kitchen classroom remains an incredibly safe, organised, and welcoming environment for small group learning.

• Collaborative Support: Work closely with the school's extensive therapy and support teams to provide a holistic approach to student welfare.

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): Mandatory requirement. (Applications from experienced mainstream teachers looking to transition to SEN are highly welcomed).

• Subject Passion: Excellent practical cooking skills and knowledge of basic food safety/nutrition.

• The Right Mindset: High levels of patience, empathy, a sense of humour, and a non-judgemental approach to behaviour.

• Resilience: The ability to see past challenging behaviour to understand a child's underlying needs.

• Safeguarding: A strict commitment to safeguarding and the physical/emotional well-being of vulnerable young people.

"We believe that our students thrive on a varied curriculum with a heavy emphasis on practical skills and enrichment opportunities. We offer our staff a highly supportive community, specialised training, and excellent professional development."

• Modern Facilities: Benefit from teaching in a beautiful, purpose-built campus completed in 2022, featuring bright spaces and fully equipped, modern design and technology kitchens.

• Small Class Sizes: Enjoy dramatically smaller class groups than mainstream schools, allowing you to build genuine rapport and make a real difference.

• Temp-to-Perm Security: Ensure the specialist environment is the right professional fit for you before committing to a permanent contract.

If you are ready to use your culinary skills to transform the educational journey of young people who need it most, we want to hear from you.

Please submit your CV as soon as possible.

The Academy and Randstad is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.