Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent
Application Close: 14/09/2025 Midnight Date of Interviews: TBC
MPR + SEN Allowance + well-being cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Permanent, Full Time
January 2026 or sooner start
Lift Columbus is a special school dedicated to providing an excellent education for every child, in every classroom, every day. We cater for pupils aged 3-19 with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities, including profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), and autism spectrum condition (ASC).
We are seeking a passionate and creative Food Technology Teacher to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine subject expertise with a strong commitment to inclusive education. You will design and deliver engaging food technology lessons, adapting the curriculum to meet a wide range of learning needs and helping pupils to develop essential life skills.
As part of the role, you will also lead our College Café one day each week, working with post-16 learners to prepare and serve meals to staff. This provides pupils with the opportunity to develop confidence, independence, and employability skills in a real-life setting.
We are looking for someone who:
* Holds QTS and has secure knowledge of the food technology curriculum.
* Has experience of working with SEND learners (PMLD, SLD, ASC).
* Can inspire, motivate and engage pupils through creative and practical approaches.
* Is committed to high expectations, inclusion, and ensuring every pupil achieves their potential.
We warmly encourage you to visit our school and experience our exceptional learning environment first-hand. To arrange a visit or schedule a friendly chat, please contact Brooke Carr, School Operations Manager, at bcarr@liftcolumbus.org. School tours are also available upon request.
Who is Lift Schools?
We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 57 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.
We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.
We offer you:
* Career development and training: Access a wide range of statutory and developmental training to boost your career. Our partnership withOne Worldpowers our innovative Instructional Excellence Program. We also offer a comprehensive range of CPD programs, includingAmbition Institute'sEarly Career andNPQofferings, tailored to both individual and network needs.
* Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
* Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Information about the School
Lift Columbus has a rich history that reflects the development of specialist education in Chelmsford. Originally two separate schools – Woodlands School, supporting children aged 3–19 with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and complex learning difficulties (CLD), and Hayward School, supporting children aged 4–16 with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) and autism – the schools federated in 2005 to form the Chelmsford New Model Special School. In September 2009, they formally amalgamated to become Columbus School and College, now proudly part of Lift Schools.
Today, Columbus provides education for children and young people aged 3–19, across two campuses. We cater for a wide spectrum of additional needs, including PMLD, severe learning difficulties (SLD), moderate learning difficulties (MLD), and autism. Our provision is designed to support learners at every stage of their journey, from the early years through to preparation for adulthood.
We are committed to providing a personalised and ambitious curriculum, tailored to individual needs. This includes a strong focus on communication, independence, social interaction, and life skills, alongside academic learning. Our dedicated team of teachers, support staff and therapists work in close partnership with families and external agencies to ensure that every child can flourish.
Columbus also benefits from excellent facilities, including:
Specialist classrooms and therapy spaces designed for sensory and physical needs.
Vocational learning opportunities to prepare young people for life beyond school.
A sixth form college provision, enabling students to continue their education in a supportive environment and develop the skills needed for adulthood, further study, or employment pathways
Who is Lift Schools?
Lift Schools is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.
Our mission:
* We will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.
* With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives.
* We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.
All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.
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Laurence Johnson
School Campus
Oliver Way, Chelmsford
Essex, CM1 4ZB Telephone: 01245 491492
Email: ljohnson@liftschools.org
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