Job Description:

Our client is looking to recruit an experienced Head of Curriculum - English. The role is to effectively lead the department providing inspiration, vision, and direction. Working effectively with a range of external and internal stakeholders to ensure that the curriculum/service evolves and develops and is aligned to local need.

Purpose of Role:

To respond to regional skills gaps, deliver on objectives set out within the College Accountability Statements and College Strategic Plan.

To set the necessary conditions to deliver excellence, progressing our ambition to be outstanding in all that we do.

To demonstrate a relentless focus on the quality of teaching, learning and assessment and enhancement opportunities within the department, ensuring that learners achieve their full potential and benefit from a fully articulated and embedded Guarantee.

To create and deliver cost effective curriculum plans through management of the departmental budget.

Effectively line manage colleagues to promote an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative working environment.

As a key member of the college management team, act as an ambassador and positive role model, engaging fully in College wide activities and initiatives to further the strategic objectives of the organisation.

To take ownership of a cross college, operational management portfolio, aligned with College strategy and relative to skills and expertise. 

Curriculum Leadership

To continually review and develop the departmental curriculum and overarching rationale to ensure it meets the needs of local stakeholders including students, employers, and the local community.

Respond to skills priorities and challenges set out within local and national policy in an agile and responsive manner, ensuring associated business planning strategies clearly articulate ambitious growth plans and contribute to the College’s influence across the region. 

To ensure that department colleagues at all levels understand the rationale of the curriculum and can clearly articulate how the curriculum has been designed and developed to realise that Intent. 

To lead the department in the development and delivery of high-quality teaching and training that is curriculum specific, inspirational, and aspirational.

Ensure that colleagues within the department develop highly effective subject specific pedagogy and engage with NCG Communities of Practice, and, industrial updating, demonstrating continuous improvement. 

To proactively tackle any underperformance in relation to TLA (Teaching, Learning and Assessment), quality metrics and compliance expectations in line with NCG People strategies, setting and reinforcing clear expectations within regular and purposeful team meetings. 

To develop programmes for all ages and provision types that are responsive to government funding priorities and initiatives, maximises income opportunities and delivers against agreed financial contribution targets. 

To ensure that students benefit from a broad curriculum that prepares them well for their next steps and contributes to positive destinations. 

External Engagement and Civic Commitment 

Develop and maintain a broad range of curriculum specific external partners including, but not limited to, local businesses and employers. 

Ensure colleagues across the department are engaged in stakeholder engagement activity and update their vocational and technical knowledge to ensure currency and relevance of the curriculum. 

Engage with local schools and work closely with Marketing and Schools Liaison teams to create and deliver an ambitious programme of school liaison activities, taking ownership of subject specific activities and incorporating plans into an overarching departmental Customer Relationship strategy. 

Engage with local community organisations and maximise opportunities for students to engage in community and social enterprise focused projects. 

Resource Management and Departmental Oversight

To work within the College annual planning cycle to develop and deliver a cost-effective curriculum plan. 

To instil an ethos of Customer Relationship Management within the department, ensuring colleagues work in partnership with College Marketing and Recruitment to drive growth and successfully achieve both external and internal recruitment targets for their curriculum area.

To work with finance colleagues to plan and monitor departmental pay and non-pay budgets and make in year and cross-year adjustments as required to ensure a balanced budget that achieves agreed key performance indicators. 

To drive a culture of compliance across the department with College and ESFA and OfS policies, regulations, and contracts to optimise funding and mitigate against risk of financial claw-back. 

Ensure that all resources are fully utilised in a cost effective and efficient manner and that timetabling is aligned to the College guidance and principles. 

Safeguarding and Prevent 

To have a thorough working understanding of the policies and College procedures associated with Safeguarding and Prevent and embed sound safeguarding practices throughout the department. 

Ensure all colleagues within the department complete all mandatory training, with the expectation of 100% compliance at any point during the year. 

Ensure appropriate representation on the College Safeguarding Group. 

Take responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of self and others and embed good practice in relation to health and safety across the department.