At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a diverse curriculum in service industries, shaping future professionals.
- Company: EKC Folkestone College, committed to excellence in education and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a lasting difference in students' lives and drive quality in education.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in education, teaching qualification, and experience in further education.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the Role
Lead, inspire and make a lasting difference. EKC Folkestone College is looking for an ambitious and forward‑thinking Deputy Head of Service Industries to help drive excellence across a diverse and dynamic curriculum area. Working alongside the Head of Department, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of teaching and learning, supporting staff to deliver outstanding experiences and ensuring students develop the skills, confidence and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen careers.
Responsibilities
- Champion high‑quality teaching, learning and assessment across the department.
- Support the development of an innovative, industry‑relevant curriculum that meets the needs of students, employers and the local community.
- Monitor key performance indicators, using data and insight to identify opportunities and implement timely improvements.
- Lead on quality improvement initiatives, driving continuous enhancement of the student experience.
- Analyse retention, achievement, attendance and student satisfaction data to inform decision‑making and raise standards.
- Collaborate with colleagues to deliver the department’s strategic objectives and foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
This is an opportunity to influence the direction of a vibrant curriculum area, develop talented teams and help shape the next generation of professionals in industries that make a real difference to people’s lives. If you’re a collaborative leader with a passion for education and quality, we’d love to hear from you.
About You
We are seeking a motivated and highly organised individual to support the Head of Department in leading the delivery of outstanding programmes and courses. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in driving quality, supporting colleagues and shaping an exceptional learning experience for students. You’ll bring a proven ability to raise standards and lead improvement initiatives, along with a background in education and a recognised teaching qualification. Ideally, you’ll also have experience of leading or line‑managing a team, with the confidence to carry out staff appraisals, teaching and learning observations, one‑to‑one meetings and the day‑to‑day management of lecturers and support staff. With experience in a further education environment, you’ll understand what it takes to empower teaching teams to deliver engaging, high‑quality learning for young people. Acting as a trusted deputy to the Head of Department, you’ll provide guidance and leadership to Programme Leaders and colleagues, ensuring the department continues to thrive when the Head is off site.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
East Kent Colleges Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of our communities. We are particularly keen to increase the diversity of our staff body and encourage applications from candidates where there is under‑representation in our workforce. We are proud to hold the Positive About Disability Award and are a Disability Confident Employer. This confirms our commitment to interviewing all applicants who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification. With any successful candidate, we will explore any reasonable adjustments to a role due to a health need or disability. Similarly, we have a commitment to Care Leavers (Care Covenant Pledge) and to current or previous Armed Forces personnel (Armed Forces Covenant Pledge) with a commitment to interview applicants who meet the positions essential criteria and have declared this on their application. We welcome applications from anyone wishing to work flexibly and those considering a return to work from a career break.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and we ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities for upholding these principles. As a designated establishment, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore have an obligation to carry out checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults. These checks include conviction/caution self‑declaration, Enhanced DBS check and obtaining sufficient referencing. It is a criminal offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. If you are successful in being shortlisted to interview, your suitability to work with children and vulnerable adults will be explored as part of the interview process.
Deputy Head Service Industries - (Beauty, Catering, Early Years, Hair, Health & Social Care, Sport) in Folkestone employer: Ashford College
EKC Folkestone College is an exceptional employer that prioritises the development of its staff and students alike. With a commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture, employees are encouraged to innovate and lead in their fields, while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a supportive environment. Located in a vibrant community, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the next generation of professionals in service industries, ensuring a rewarding and fulfilling career path.
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We think this is how you could land Deputy Head Service Industries - (Beauty, Catering, Early Years, Hair, Health & Social Care, Sport) in Folkestone
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We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head Service Industries - (Beauty, Catering, Early Years, Hair, Health & Social Care, Sport) in Folkestone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Learning:When applying for a role in digital learning and education at Ashford College, make sure to sprinkle your application with examples of your enthusiasm for teaching and learning technologies. Share specific experiences where you've used, designed, or implemented digital learning solutions, as this shows us that you truly get the field.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Ashford College
✨Get Hands-On with Learning Technologies
Familiarise yourself with common digital learning tools and platforms, like LMS systems or authoring tools that Ashford College might use. Understanding these will give you an edge and show you’re ready to jump in from day one!
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Prepare a portfolio of your past projects if you have them, or create sample lesson plans or digital content demos. Being able to discuss your creative approach to engaging students can really set you apart in a full-time role at Ashford College.
✨Brush Up on Educational Trends
Stay in the loop with the latest trends in digital education, like gamification or personalised learning experiences. This will help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview and demonstrate your passion for the field.
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Expect to be asked about your experience working collaboratively with educators or other stakeholders. Consider discussing how you've contributed to a team effort in creating engaging educational content or improving student outcomes.
