Assistant Head of Student Support in Bristol

This role is pivotal in ensuring, through effective leadership and management, that all students receive high quality learning, pastoral, Maths & English and academic support. It also involves effective budgeting and line management of campus support staff. Working with the Management Team, the role ensures high quality learner experiences while driving campus goals and student outcomes. Additionally, it serves as the Exam Officer and liaises with external organisations such as awarding bodies, local authorities and agencies.

Contract Type: Permanent/Full Time

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (on site)

Location: Bristol

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum

Who are we? We are ‘Access Creative College’ (ACC), formerly known as Access to Music, and were founded in 1992. We’re an Ofsted ‘Good’ provider that reaches every corner of the country, with 7 campuses and over 2,500 students nationwide. We are part of Access Education Group which boasts 32 campuses nationwide with over 5,000 students & apprentices across ACC, dBs Institute (Higher Education) & Access Sport.

What we offer?

• Generous Holiday Allocation
• Wellbeing Benefits: Health Cash Plan, Doctorline GP Service, Employee Assistance Programme, Access to Counselling and Cycle to Work
• Staff Discounts & Benefits: access to Accolade, our benefits platform which offers discounts at over 800 retailers!
• Paid Leave: Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Sick pay.

Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Lead on effective budgetary management of support and Maths & English, including local authority funding and campus staffing budgets;
• Contribute to a thorough and rigorous self‑assessment process and deliver an annual quality improvement plan within student support and Maths & English;
• As part of the campus management team, support the implementation of current delivery strategies within your areas, including Maths & English;
• Implement and oversee a robust governance schedule that supports and challenges the staff team whilst positively impacting performance;
• Provide visible and decisive leadership in response to emerging issues.

Staffing

• Communicate effectively and regularly through team meetings with support and Maths & English staff;
• Lead on ALS & M&E timetabling and planning, in collaboration with the campus management team;
• Manage performance, utilisation and deployment of ASL and M&E staff;
• Conduct professional development reviews with staff within the curriculum area(s);
• Identify staff training needs and encourage professional and personal development;
• Supervise staff effectively and act as a mentor for new staff where appropriate;
• Take decisive action to ensure high standards and performance are achieved;
• Assist with the selection and appointment of staff within the support team or wider campus where applicable;
• Review and manage weekly, monthly or annual performance targets for support and M&E staff.

Student Support and Safeguarding

• Responsible for the effective review, recruitment and ongoing management of SEND students (including those with an EHCP), ensuring campuses are equipped to provide the necessary support;
• Lead on student‑at‑risk strategies alongside curriculum managers to ensure high levels of student engagement;
• Manage pastoral care, mental health and wellbeing support within the campus;
• Serve as the lead DSL and manage the campus designated safeguarding team to ensure a safe student environment;
• Oversee the overall management and effective use of internal learner management systems in line with company policy and procedures;
• Coordinate communication with external agencies in the instance of safeguarding or wider student support needs.

Maths and English

• Act as the campus Exams Officer to ensure all exam requirements across the curriculum areas are facilitated and managed effectively and compliantly;
• Drive forward campus performance of Maths & English through targeted interventions and close collaboration with M&E teachers.

General Responsibilities

• Actively contribute to the overall management and administration of the campus as a member of the Management Team;
• Deputise for the Director of Campus when required;
• Represent the interests of the campus with stakeholders, major clients and the community in all relevant matters;
• Manage the understanding and utilisation of all relevant internal systems and processes;
• Commit to the organisation’s Health and Safety Policy statement and safety priorities;
• Promote equality and diversity in the workplace and through the curriculum, setting the tone for professional standards of behaviour between colleagues and learners;
• Comply with Safeguarding Children and Young People requirements as outlined in the Safeguarding and Prevent policies;
• Undertake additional duties or projects as directed by the Director of Campus.

A full job description and person specification is available for download alongside our full benefits booklet. Diversity and open expression are fundamental to creativity. We are committed to promoting a culture of diversity and inclusivity for all our employees and potential employees. DBS Checks: Enhanced DBS clearance will be required.