Head of Food Technology in Crowborough

Beacon Academy would like all candidates to answer specific questions for the personal statement section. For reference, here is a preview of the questions/headings: If applicable, what QTS route did you take and where? Do you have experience of teaching a second subject? If so, what subject? Would you like to be considered for other vacancies across the Trust? Have you ever been subject to an investigation regarding safeguarding concerns or a disciplinary investigation? Please add a supporting statement detailing how your qualifications, experience, and personal attributes align with the criteria outlined in the Person Specification. Your response should clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements and, where applicable, the desirable criteria for this role.

We are seeking an inspiring Head of Food Technology to lead and develop this thriving subject within our Academy. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and passionate teacher to shape a forward‑thinking curriculum, drive excellent outcomes, and foster a love of food, nutrition, and design among students. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, outstanding classroom practice, and a commitment to high standards of teaching and learning, while working collaboratively within the wider Design & Technology team. If you are motivated to innovate, mentor colleagues, and make a lasting impact on young‑people’s lives, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Beacon Academy is a split‑site, semi‑rural, mixed 11‑18 non‑selective converter academy with approximately 1600 students, including over 300 students in our Sixth Form. We are situated centrally in Crowborough on the outskirts of the Ashdown Forest, an area of outstanding natural beauty. We are close to Tunbridge Wells and the south coast. The vast majority of our staff travel to Beacon from a variety of locations within the southeast, including Brighton, Eastbourne, Lewes and Tunbridge Wells.

In September 2022, Beacon Academy, together with Uplands Academy in Wadhurst, became a member of the MARK Education Trust (formerly Beacon Community College Academy Trust). The acronym, MARK, was selected because staff who work in the Trust are motivated, ambitious, resourceful, and knowledgeable. We were pleased to expand our Trust further in September 2025 with the addition of Hailsham Academy. This continued growth reflects our shared commitment to educational excellence, collaboration and supporting the success of all students across our Academies.

We work meticulously to secure a culture of unapologetically high expectations that is underpinned by our collective, uncompromising belief and ambition for our students, and for the experienced, loyal, highly skilled and highly effective team of staff that teach them, allowing teachers to teach and students to learn in a school where leadership, management, behaviour and welfare are all judged as outstanding.

MARK Education Trust is committed to the development of both its staff and students.

Benefits of working at Beacon Academy:

• Flexible working approach
• Staff recognition initiatives
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme / Teacher's Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement (support staff)
• Access to Wellbeing Support through our Employee Assistance Programme, this includes free confidential telephone and face‑to‑face counselling
• Opportunities to share your views through staff surveys and forums
• Eligibility to access Blue Light Card and discounts
• Discounted use of Gym and Exercise Classes at Uplands Academy
• Free parking available onsite or within close proximity to all our schools