Head of Food and Nutrition

Tes is supporting the appointment of a Head of Food and Nutrition to join a School based in Waltham Forest.

Surrounded by ancient forest and only thirty minutes from central London, this is an outstanding independent day school located on the edge of Epping Forest. The school is a large, diverse, and vibrant school, with approximately 1,500 pupils from 4 to 18. Their traditional House structure means that each pupil is treated as an individual, of whom they have the highest expectations, while their size enables them to offer breadth and depth of opportunity. Foresters are ‘known, liked and valued’ and this is central to their educational philosophy.

Their pupils are as busy outside the classroom as they are within it - a strong academic curriculum is supported by an equally strong co-curricular and pastoral programme, so their pupils can pursue their interests in music and the sporting field, and develop the key skills required for them to flourish in the 21st Century; for example, all while achieving outstanding GCSE and A level results.

As one of the largest day schools in the independent sector, the school abounds with opportunities for professional and career development. Teachers are rarely confined to their subject area and the majority play a full and active role in school’s enviable super-curricular and co-curricular programme, with opportunities to lead in clubs and activities as diverse as Model United Nations, Extended Project Qualification, Jedi Warrior Lightsabre Fencing, Chapel Choir, Music Technology and Cricket, to give but a few examples. The ambition, richness, and distinct nature of the integrated curriculum at The school offers their staff with an unparalleled experience of a modern and holistic education in their beautiful London setting. As their Good Schools Guide Review (2023) suggests this is a ‘flourishing, successful and well-led school in a glorious, green setting with consistently strong results that don’t require pupils to sacrifice happiness or wellbeing on the way to achieving them… an education that’s so genuinely rounded you could make hoops from it.’

The school invests heavily in the development of pedagogy, teaching and learning, with all teachers expected to engage in an ambitious Professional Learning Programme which includes seminars and contact with leading minds in the teaching and learning space; most recently, the school welcomed Tom Sherrington who presented on curriculum strategy and design. In addition, they are immensely proud of their culture of formative and developmental peer observation and instructional coaching through their Teaching and Learning Communities and StepLab. As one of the few Independent Schools Induction Panel (ISTIP) regional hubs and training centres in the country, the school is proud of its success, expertise, and excellence in supporting Early Careers’ Teachers and those new to the profession. They have a rich tradition of developing outstanding teachers and a genuinely supportive approach centred on coaching and mentoring.

Whilst they are rightly proud of their pupils’ outstanding academic successes, they do not let outcome grades solely define the holistic and personal development opportunities encapsulated in a school education. In the last two academic years, 50% of grades at A-level were at A*-A, with nearly 80% of grades at A*-B. At GCSE, over half of all grades were at Grade 9 or 8, with nearly 80% achieving Grade 7 or above. At the same time, Foresters have progressed to a range of highly selective universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, and other Russell Group institutions and pleasingly several have also undertaken degree level apprenticeships, taken up places at Art Schools and Conservatoires and are pursuing education abroad.

Why work at this school?

There are many benefits of working at the School:

Key benefits include:   

• A CPD budget far beyond that offered in the maintained sector, and a culture fully committed to evidence-based teaching and learning development.
• A beautiful working environment, you will be surrounded by ancient woodland and a variety of architecturally significant Georgian, Victorian and modernist buildings.
• The chance to work with motivated, rounded, and intelligent pupils and colleagues in a very happy, purposeful, and ambitious setting.
• Opportunities to benefit from regular and comprehensive Professional Development Review, including access to StepLab, LinkedIn Learning and the National College to support further professional development.  
• A leadership mentoring programme for new Heads of Department           
• The chance to develop other skills and areas of interest in support of school’s extensive Activities and Co-Curricular Programme. In the recent past they have supported staff in developing additional skills in scuba diving, fencing, outdoors survival and even flying in the Combined Cadet Forces.
• Holiday entitlement far beyond that offered in the maintained sector (on average, 17 weeks).
• Opportunities to contribute to the wider community via their extensive Outreach Programme.
• An assigned staff laptop.
• Free three course hot lunch in their beautiful staff diner (with a takeaway sandwich lunch also available) and refreshments throughout the day.           
• 20% fee remission (pro-rata for part time staff) for children attending the school which is applicable Y3-Y13.          
• Subsidised membership to the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre, school’s outstanding on-site gym and leisure facility.   
• A well-established staff forum, with an assigned representative, and a dedicated staff well-being committee        
• Membership of the School's Group Life Assurance scheme and Personal Accident Scheme.       
• Contribution towards private medical insurance fees.            
• Membership of a generous pension scheme.

Interview Date: 02 May 2024

All applicants need to have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for the role.

By applying to this job advertisement, you are providing consent for the Tes Recruitment team to propose and discuss your application with the employer.

Tes Recruitment Services (UK) represent Schools and Academies across the globe, supporting them to secure a great teacher/leader for every role. 

To learn more about this role please email managedrecruit@tes.com for an information pack that includes school name, role specifics and context. 

Please include REF: LC2041864 in the email subject line. Please note that we are unable to accept CVs sent to us via email so please use the stated application route.