Head of Department Food Technology Teacher

New College Worcester is a specialist school for blind and partially sighted young people, committed to enabling every student to achieve their full potential and removing barriers to success. Through a highly personalised curriculum, expert specialist teaching and a unique Waking Day approach, learning and development extend beyond the classroom to build independence, confidence and life skills. NCW provides a safe, supportive and aspirational environment with high expectations for academic achievement, personal growth and employability, alongside a nationally recognised outreach service supporting visually impaired students in mainstream settings.

The purpose of the Head of Department is to provide leadership for the department, model exemplary practice and foster a culture where high-quality learning thrives. Through collaborative leadership, the post holder champions effective teaching, innovation and professional growth, ensuring that the department continually reflects on and improves its practice. Central to the role is the drive to raise student engagement and achievement, removing barriers to learning and ensuring every student is supported to reach their full potential. By building strong relationships, empowering staff, and maintaining high expectations, the Head of Department plays a pivotal role in shaping a department that is inclusive, ambitious and aligned with the values and vision of NCW.

Main Responsibilities

Prior experience of teaching students with visual impairment or a residential setting is NOT essential as full training will be provided.

Teaching, Learning and Student Experience

• Promote a love of Food Technology across curricular and extracurricular settings.
• Develop inclusive teaching strategies for students with vision impairments.
• Embed personalised learning to support confidence, independence and achievement.
• Work with the independent living skills team to support students across the college, including in the residential accommodation.

Leadership of the Department

• Provide strategic direction aligned with NCW's ethos.
• Lead curriculum review and development.
• Maintain strong subject knowledge, including VI-specific approaches.

Management Responsibilities

• Manage the Food Technology curriculum, resources and assessment.
• Oversee examination arrangements and modifications.
• Support NCW's national outreach work.
• Line manage departmental staff to foster an inclusive and positive team environment.

Resources and Health & Safety

• Manage budgets and maintain safe, accessible equipment.
• Oversee and lead the highest standards of health and safety within the food technology classrooms and settings, including completion of the annual audit.

General Responsibilities

• Uphold NCW's Statement of Purpose, safeguarding and equal opportunities policies.

Qualified Teacher of the Vision Impaired (QTVI)

All teachers employed within a specialist special school are required by the DfE to become QTVI.  There is a wealth of expertise among the staff and new teachers are fully supported in learning the skills they need to be effective in this role.  There is no expectation that teachers will have had previous experience of teaching students with a vision impairment but there is an expectation that teachers will learn relevant skills including Braille.  New teachers do not start the QTVI programme in their first year but are given a mentor and additional CPD.  The qualification for becoming QTVI is a postgraduate diploma at Masters level and is completed over two years.  Whilst completing this course teachers receive half a day per week paid study time.  After becoming QTVI teachers receive the full SEN allowance.  Class sizes are typically very small ranging from one-to-one to about five students.  There is a Transcription team who assist with the production of resources in a range of formats.