Curriculum Manager - ESOL in London

About Barnet and Southgate College. We change lives, empower individuals and connect communities. We are an ambitious, forward-thinking further education college in North London, proud to serve diverse communities across Barnet, Southgate and beyond. Our 2030 Vision is bold: to be a leading provider of learning and skills development, fostering exceptional educational experiences, driven by innovation, collaboration and excellence. Our ESOL provision at Colindale sits within a wider Essential Skills offer and is one of the most community-facing parts of what we do. The learners we serve are varied, the needs are real and the stakes are high. You will be joining a College that takes this work seriously, supports its leaders well and gives you the authority and backing to lead with confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the team: Line manage, coach and develop ESOL curriculum staff, setting high expectations, managing performance effectively and building a motivated team with a common sense of purpose.
• Curriculum design and innovation: Lead the development of a responsive, innovative ESOL curriculum that meets the needs of your diverse learner groups — 16-18 EPfYP, adult learners and newly arrived 14-16 year olds including those seeking sanctuary — drawing on up-to-date research, flexible delivery models and a deep understanding of local and regional priorities.
• Raising standards: Set and monitor challenging improvement targets, lead developmental lesson observations and learning walks, and use quality reviews, learner voice and data to drive effective improvement strategies.
• Learner outcomes: Ensure every learner is placed on the right course, supported through purposeful ILPs and academic tutoring, and progressing towards their goals — whether that is further study, employment or wider participation.
• Quality and self-assessment: Lead the self-assessment process and quality improvement planning for the ESOL area, contributing to broader Essential Skills quality assurance and inspection readiness.
• Community and employer links: Build strong relationships with external partners, community organisations and employers, keeping the curriculum grounded in local and regional need and supporting learner access and progression.
• Wider management: Contribute to College-wide management responsibilities including duty rotas, strategic planning and cross-college initiatives as required, and deputise for the Director of Essential Skills when needed.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

What You'll Bring

• A degree or equivalent relevant professional qualification.
• A full teaching qualification.
• Subject specialism in ESOL, with successful teaching experience.
• Proven leadership or management experience in FE or a similar setting.
• Successful experience of embedding quality improvements and delivering improved outcomes for learners.
• Demonstrable knowledge of strategies, based on research, that improve student learning in ESOL.
• Deep understanding of local and regional priorities and the communities ESOL provision serves.
• Experience of working with diverse learner groups including 16-18, adult and newly arrived learners.
• Experience of successful curriculum development and management of provision and new initiatives.
• Experience of using and interpreting MIS data to monitor and manage provision.
• Experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with external partners and community stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team, manage performance and tackle underperformance effectively.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Even Better If You Have...

• A management qualification.
• Qualified Teaching and Learning Status (QTLS).
• Experience working with newly arrived learners and those seeking sanctuary.
• Understanding of the current 14-19, adult skills and HE landscape.
• Experience developing income-generating full-cost activity.
• Experience of Ofsted preparation, self-assessment or quality improvement planning.

What Makes This Role Different

• A provision that genuinely matters: The learners in this area include some of the most marginalised in our communities — newly arrived young people, sanctuary seekers, adults re-entering education. The impact of strong leadership here is profound.
• Breadth and variety: Leading across 16-18, adult and 14-16 learner groups within a single provision gives this role an unusual richness — no two cohorts are the same and no single approach fits all.
• Grounded in community: Colindale is one of North London's most diverse areas. Your understanding of local need and your community relationships are as important here as your curriculum expertise.
• Real leadership authority: High-trust, high-support ways of working, backed by a Director of Essential Skills who values professional expertise and gives their managers the space to lead.
• Career development: Clear routes into wider senior leadership, with access to coaching, CPD and leadership development.

Potential Interview Dates

Week commencing 2nd July 2026.

Benefits

The College offers employees a generous holiday allowance of 40 days annual leave for our academic management staff plus bank holidays. Pro Rata'd for part time employees. We also offer an attractive package of optional benefits for employees to take advantage of.

• Taking Teaching Further (National initiative): An early career support package would be available for eligible successful candidates to support new Teachers in all T Level pathway subjects and Maths, English and SEND subjects.
• Targeted Retention Payments for FE Teachers: Targeted retention payments are available for eligible successful candidates in specific subjects.
• Annual Season Ticket Loans: We offer permanent or contract staff with a minimum of a 12 month contract the option to purchase an annual season ticket loan without the big financial hit in one go!
• Cycle to Work Scheme: The scheme is an incentive for staff, offering tax free bikes through bike shops.
• Employee Support Helpline: The Employee Assistance Helpline can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Eye Tests for DSE Users: The College will refund the cost of regular eye tests for staff that use Display Screen Equipment regularly.
• Flu vouchers: We offer established staff a free flu vaccination voucher.
• Gym Facilities: Our Sports Centre at Southgate Campus is available for all staff.
• Hair Salon Services and Beauty Treatments: A range of competitively-priced hairdressing services are accessible at our Colindale Campus.
• High Street Discounts: Discount for teachers is a shopping benefits website for staff which gives access to fantastic savings on leading retail brands.