Salary:                     £49,863pa inclusive

Hours:                    36 hours per week

Leave:                     42 days annual leave plus bank holidays       

Responsible to:      Director

Line Management:  Teaching and support staff within the area

Work closely with: CQTMs and Director in the area to form the management team                                                        for the Directorate

                               Quality Improvement Team

                               CQTMs and Cross College Co-ordinators from other Directorates

                               Business Support Managers

Job Purpose:           The main focus of the role will be to lead on improving teaching and learning in English GCSEs, Functional Skills English and Essential Digital Skills

Location:                This post will initially be based at Main Campus, Isleworth however, you may be required to undertake work at the Skills & Logistics Centre, Feltham

1.   Curriculum and Quality

a)     Lead and co-ordinate curriculum innovation and development across the:

·       Cross college Functional Skills English at all levels

·       Cross college GCSE English

·       Adult GCSE English

·        Essential Digital Skills

·       Adult Functional Skills English

b)     Manage the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, and track attendance and students’ progress and achievement of Functional Skills, Essential Digital Skills and GCSE English diligently, utilising reporting documents in a timely and proactive fashion.

c)     Support cross-college vocational teachers who are delivering Functional Skills.

d)     Lead on quality improvement in teaching of English, in conjunction with the Director CS, with an aim to improve student attendance and achievement.

e)     Manage course and subject review activities and self-assessment, ensuring that courses are matched to student need, and that actions are in place to improve teaching, learning and assessment.

f)       Manage internal verification, external examination arrangements and liaison with external verifiers and validation/examination bodies, including acting as Lead IQA for Functional Skills English and Essential Digital.

g)     Raise student achievement rates through a clarity of focus and outcomes to meet recruitment, retention, achievement and destination targets.

h)     Work closely with the Quality Improvement Team to improve teaching, learning and

Assessment.

i)       Promote apprenticeship provision across the Directorate by working with the College Employer Engagement team to secure timely success.  

j)       Lead on quality and student achievement for the English and maths Work and Study programme for adults.

2.   Team management

a)     Lead and build teams of staff delivering English, running regular team meetings with all staff involved in delivering English qualifications to ensure good communications are in place across the teams.

b)     Encourage collaborative working, sharing of good practice and debate about teaching, learning and assessment.

c)     Consult on planning and ensure a team approach to quality issues.

d)     Encourage peer observation, team teaching and visits to other colleges.

3.   Individual staff management

a)     Line manage English teachers.

b)     Provide encouragement, support and guidance to staff delivering English GCSE and Functional Skills, setting and maintaining high standards, in order to continue to raise the quality of teaching in the area.

c)     Ensure supportive staff induction, coaching and target-setting for teaching improvements and strong mentoring and staff development for individuals.

d)     Assist the Director in staff timetabling.

e)     Along with the other Curriculum and Quality Team Managers in the programme area, deputise for the Director as required.

4.  Student Support

a)     Co-ordinate the pastoral programme (tutorials, careers advice etc.)

b)     Track and monitor attendance and punctuality and be responsible for improving both across all English provision.

c)     Liaise with the managers responsible for student support, including basic and functional skills, to ensure student needs are met.

d)     Oversee and monitor student admissions, enrolment, induction and progression.

e)     Be responsible for promoting good student discipline.

5.  Resource Management and Health and Safety

a)     Assist the Director in setting and meeting programme area targets including student numbers, full cost targets and course viability.

b)     Manage budgets for specified areas in accordance with college financial regulations.

c)     Promote the safe learner concept, ensuring appropriate health and safety activities are in place, including risk assessments for the curriculum area.

6.  External focus/liaison

a)     Undertake external liaison as required for the suite of English courses managed.

b)     Keep up to date with strategic developments in the English GCSE and Functional Skills curriculum area and local and national initiatives which might impact on the area, and ensure through visits to other institutions that best practice is disseminated across the team.

c)     Ensure marketing materials (fact sheets, course guides) are produced on time and in the correct format, having consulted with relevant Directors and CQTMs.  Work proactively to promote the programme through participative recruitment activities: taster sessions, open days, visits.

7. General

a)     Carry out allocated teaching & associated duties in an appropriate curriculum area. The hours of class contact to be undertaken will be reviewed at intervals and will be determined in the context of the demands of the management role & the needs of the college.

b)     As a member of the College management team, undertake Evening and Saturday Duty in accordance with the duty rota.

c)     Adhere and comply with the college financial regulations.

d)     Undertake such other duties at appropriate levels of skill & responsibility as may be required.

Person Specification

Please study the items in this person specification carefully when completing your application form. We need evidence and practical examples of how well you meet each criterion.

1.     Educated to degree level or equivalent, in a relevant curriculum specialism, with a recognised teaching qualification

2.     Evidence of continuous professional  development

With a focus on

·  impact on teaching and learning

·  curriculum innovation

3.     Sound specialist knowledge and teaching experience in a relevant curriculum area

With a focus on:

·  curriculum innovation

·  inspirational teaching and learning

·  effective assessment strategies

·  Knowledge and management of apprenticeship provision would be an advantage

4.     Evidence of effective curriculum leadership in a relevant area and an ability to determine an imaginative vision for the curriculum

With a focus on:

·  curriculum development and planning

·  creative strategies for delivery

5.     Ability to manage teams and individuals

With a focus on

·  pro-active, positive and clear approach

·  set and maintain high standards

·  support and develop

·  regular, consistent and structured contact

6.     Understanding of the national policy context of the post schools sector

With a focus on:

·  impact on funding

·  impact on the future curriculum

7.     Excellent IT skills

With a focus on:

·   improve management processes

·   teaching and learning

8.     Experience of implementing, managing and monitoring quality assurance processes that have led to tangible improvements in standards for students

With a focus on:

·  clarity of focus and outcomes

·  creative and practical thinking

·  use and interpret data and information

·  internal and external verification procedures

9.     The ability to translate the challenges faced by marginalised groups into curriculum strategies and student achievement

With a focus on:

·  refugees and young people seeking asylum

·  working class young people

·  people experiencing poverty, deprivation and/or discrimination

10.  Ability to give leadership on equality and diversity and to embed them into curriculum and staffing decisions

With a focus on:

·  a vision for the curriculum

·  creative ideas to ensure students have equality of opportunity, treatment and outcome

·  confidence in talking about issues

11.  Communication: ability to write complex reports, to articulate arguments, talk to groups, chair meetings and be empathetic, respectful and clear in one-to-one meetings

With a focus on:

·  clarity and appropriate to audience

·  structured and purposeful

·  complex ideas with simplicity

·  listen and empathise

12.  Ability to practise the principles of collaborative working

With a focus on:

·  consultation and involvement

·  consensus and decision-making

·  supportive structures and processes

13.  Have an awareness of Prevent and Safeguarding.

Equality and diversity

West Thames College champions excellence, integrity, equality and respect.

This means we aspire to the highest achievements for our students and the best possible working environment for our staff.

The whole college community - women and men, younger and older, from different , social and ethnic backgrounds, a variety of faiths, cultures and languages, lesbian, gay and straight, disabled and non-disabled – we are all treated with the same respect and entitled to the same chances to succeed.

We champion diversity because we know that a rich mix of people makes the college a more productive and creative place to study and work.

And we champion equality because it is the right thing to do.

West Thames College is an OUTSTANDING vibrant and inspiring place to work, where we are committed to helping all learners fulfil their dreams and ambitions. Our outstanding education and training play a vital role in building a prosperous and cohesive community, and our staff are at the heart of this mission.

Our inclusive and supportive environment fosters both professional and personal growth, with many staff members progressing into senior roles within the college. We believe in the transformative power of education and are dedicated to widening participation, ensuring that people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

We are proud to be rated Outstanding by Ofsted, with our December 2024 inspection report highlighting our commitment to excellence. Ofsted praised the College, stating:

"Leaders and managers have high expectations of learners and apprentices. They are ambitious for them to do well. They are determined and committed to ensure that learners and apprentices reach their potential and progress seamlessly to their next steps. Their relentless focus on quality improvement permeates through all levels of staff. Teachers and staff share this ambition and determination."

The well-being and professional development of our staff are a priority. Ofsted also noted:

"Leaders, managers and those responsible for governance pay close attention to the development, well-being and support for staff. They have in place comprehensive professional development and training opportunities for staff."

At West Thames, we offer state-of-the-art facilities at our Isleworth and Feltham campuses, with excellent public transport links and free staff parking. We are committed to our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Equality, and Respect, creating a welcoming and dynamic workplace where staff feel supported and valued.

Join our dedicated and forward-thinking team—explore our current vacancies and apply online today. Before submitting your application, please review our Guidance for Applicants to ensure a smooth process.

If you need more information, please contact our Human Resources team on 020 8326 2638 or via email [email protected].

Thank you for your interest in West Thames College; it really is a great place to work.