Head of Curriculum - Visual Arts

bigcreative.education

Head of Curriculum – Visual Arts

Job specification pack

https://bigcreative.education/

Welcome to

Big Creative AcademyBig Creative Academy (BCA) is a specialist creative arts college for 16-19 year olds based in Walthamstow, E17.

Our intent is to provide young creatives from diverse backgrounds with the entrepreneurial skills and academic knowledge to have a powerful impact in the creative industries.

Through access to higher education and the development of cultural capital we will provide students with the attitude and resilience to succeed.

BCA job specification pack

As an organisation we provide a supportive, developmental environment with a creative and innovative approach to education. Choosing to work for BCA will enable you to be part of a successful organisation that offer a good work-life balance to all employees, which includes a flexible working approach, a friendly, positive and purposeful working environment, and plenty of opportunities for social interaction

We are a values-led organisation, award-winning in equality, diversity, and inclusion and a best practice college for LGBTQ+. We work with integrity and passion, and are fiercely committed to creating a truly meaningful work environment, where individuals are empowered with the tools, technology, and training to unleash their full potential.

This is an exciting time to join BCA. We moved into our £21m new building in January 2021 with all new industry-standard studios and equipment. We expanded to launch the new Fashion Futures

BCT culture video >

BCA job specification pack

We have 440 young people per year enrolled onto our Level 3 vocational programmes, and learners take qualifications in maths and English if needed.

We have a job centre on site for learners and a sister organisation, Big Creative Training, offering apprenticeships. Progression outcomes for students are filling local skills needs for a growing creative arts sector.

The majority of our staff are dual practitioners, teaching their professional craft. This makes BCA an innovative environment in which to work.

Together with our industry ambassadors and patron, Emeli Sande, all of our programmes are industry led and forward thinking.

Benefits of working for BCA

• Flexible Fridays, half day, to provide work-life balance
• Employee assistance programme
• Research-based professional development
• Supportive, caring and developmental environment with full staff wellbeing programme and performance recognition
• Staff social events
• Gym facilities for staff use
• Cycle to work scheme

I’m really proud of the team at Big Creative Academy all working together to provide the best education possible for our learners.

Our values are incredibly important to us and we look forward to welcoming you into the Big Creative family.

– Kindness – Respect – Inclusivity – Authenticity – Inclusivity –

What our learners and graduates say…

96% of learners at BCA say their overall experience is good. Here’s what they had to say…

“The teachers always find time to help.”

“I love the small class sizes, and the fun environment created.”

“I get to do something I love with other people who have the same interests as me.”

BCA job specification pack

Not only did the college give us the tools and knowledge to succeed, they prepared us for life as creatives of the future.

Georgia

If it wasn’t for BCA there’s no way I would have become the person I am today. Thanks for helping me find myself!”

Amani

Job Description & Person Specification

Post Title: Head of Curriculum

Full/part time: Full time, permanent position

Salary: £48,000 to £52,980 depending on experience

Reporting to: Director of Curriculum and Quality

Location: Big Creative Academy, Clifton Avenue, E17 6HL

Teaching: The post includes 10 hours of teaching per week within a Visual

Annual leave: 35 days per annum

Purpose of the role:

The Head of Curriculum will be responsible for ensuring that the quality of the delivery is of the highest standard through the leadership, management and development of the curriculum provision within the designated Curriculum area and for the effective and efficient use of the available resources.

Key Responsibilities

• To provide leadership and direction for learning and teaching and pastoral care of a Curriculum, to ensure provision of a high quality learner experience
• To provide effective leadership, ensuring consistent efficiency, effectiveness and quality of service to learners
• To act as first line manager for allocated staff, ensuring that staff are effectively managed, deployed and developed and that the Academy’s strategic and operational targets are achieved
• To lead the development and delivery of an innovative and visionary pastoral care process, ensuring that the tracking, monitoring and success rates of students is effectively managed, developed, reviewed and consistently improved
• To drive quality initiatives and ensure key performance indicators are met and consistently improved through writing the SAR and QIP.
• To ensure that all student progression is tracked and monitored, that needs are identified and supported by Student Services
• To contribute to the development and achievement of the Academy’s mainstream and commercial targets

Key Duties

• To ensure the efficient and effective management of a Curriculum area
• To manage and develop the online ILP process, students at risk process and disciplinary tracking in your curriculum areas
• To ensure that the Academy achieves the delivery of the course file and budgeted targets and achieve the Academy’s learning strategy objectives
• To manage the registrations and withdrawals of Art & Design and Media Students with Awarding Bodies
• To lead on the management of Initial and Diagnostic Assessments for learners.
• To lead on the tracking and monitoring of Gifted and Talented learners
• To provide outstanding teaching for 10 hours per week.
• To oversee the quality of teaching, and the embedding of core Art & Design and Media skills into vocational courses
• To develop and extend relationships with key stakeholders, employers, schools and universities to ensure that the curriculum delivery meets the economy’s changing needs
• To oversee the portfolio review and self-assessment and quality improvement activities, producing an end of year SAR and monitoring the QIP.
• To ensure the maximisation of learning platforms, in line with learning and
• To lead and direct quality improvement and enhancement processes and support the quality improvement and enhancement processes within the Academy.
• To support and ensure the operation of Academy quality procedures and standards in relation to quality of learning and teaching, learner retention, learner assessment, learner outcomes, value added and staff performance.
• To drive the process of self-assessment and quality improvement, and ensure that action points are addressed quickly and effectively to derive benefits for our students and staff.
• To participate in continuous professional development relevant to the role
• To identify the requirements of staff, in order to ensure a broad skill base amongst the workforce
• To promote the Academy vision and strategic direction both internally and externally
• To provide staff with a clear vision of their roles within the Academy, ensuring that they are aware of current issues and seek their views and involvement in the decision making process
• Report progress against targets on a regular basis to your line manager and advise on learner, staff, and learning activities
• To manage the experience of learners to ensure equality of opportunity and enrichment of lives
• To ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work and responsibilities attached to this post, in keeping with the Academy's quality assurance procedures and systems
• To comply with and promote the Academy’s safeguarding policies
• To undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be reasonably required

Line management

• Staff management in accordance with the Academy’s strategic plan
• Ensuring full utilisation and effectiveness of staff
• Lead on recruitment for job vacancies
• Encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, flexibility and responsiveness among staff team
• Ensure unacceptable/marginal staff performance is addressed at the earliest
• Monitor application of key HR policies and procedures by managers and take a lead in implementing more formal processes

Teaching and Learning

• To provide outstanding teaching for 10 hours per week within a Visual Arts discipline
• Lead the Curriculum teaching team to ensure effective utilisation of staff’s time
• Ensure that CPD is both relevant and develops pedagogy to ensure outstanding practice in the classroom
• Support observation planning and development plans for staff.
• Support in the contribution to the annual academy SAR and QIP
• Support curriculum teams on curriculum review planning and updating the Academy QIP
• Look for external opportunities/projects to develop the Academies teaching and learning
• To identify the requirements of staff, in order to ensure a broad skill base amongst the workforce
• Work towards achieving Big Creative Academy’s mission and actively participate in our culture, striving towards outstanding teaching and learning, promoting wellbeing and bringing industry into the classroom
• Travel to and meet with key stakeholders as appropriate to the role
• Undertake continuous professional development including research projects and a bespoke annual plan
• Actively promote equality and anti-racism at all times
• Carry out duties at all times with due regard to Big Creative Academy’s policies, including safeguarding, health and safety and data protection and participate in training as required
• To comply with and promote the Academy’s safeguarding policies
• Work flexibly and to undertake any other duties that may reasonably allocated by the line manager, which may include working occasional evenings and weekends

Person Specification

CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

Qualifications/ Degree or equivalent and qualified teacher status

RelevantExperience

Evidence of a personal commitment to professional development and training withevidence of having led on change/curriculum innovation

Successful management experience of curriculum teams and evidence of having led oncurriculum development, student monitoring and learner journey initiatives

Extensive quality teaching in the sector and tutorial experience especially with the 1619 age groups, both in full time education and employment

Evidence of the ability to deliver consistently good or better teaching, learning andassessment and a proven track record or developing teams to plan and deliver anexcellent learning experience.

The ability to work in and to lead teams, to motivate, train staff, and carry outappraisals, observe staff and to inspire students

Experience of effectively managing student behaviourSkills/Ability Leadership skills and the ability to motivate and inspire staff and students

The ability to influence direct reports and Academy staff to bring about change

The ability to analyse and use effectively, complex data for improvement

Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate andwork effectively with staff across the Academy and to win their confidence

Excellent planning, organisation, IT and administrative skills, the ability to see projects through to a successful conclusion, and a general high level of efficiency

Knowledge An excellent knowledge of 16-19 curriculums, study programs and student progress

An understanding of quality assurance.

An understanding of the funding of post-16 education and its implications for the Academy – particularly regarding the curriculum, teaching learning and the proceduresand processes necessary to ensure the delivery of high quality education

A well-developed understanding of the particular needs of the 16-19 age group both infright-time education and employment and of the professional challenges by inner citystudents many of whom come from deprived backgrounds

An understanding of different strategies for raising student achievement, attendanceand supporting at risk students

A commitment to the Academy’s Equal Opportunities policy, and an understanding ofthe implications of the Academy’s duty of care and support towards its students

of the funding ofpost-16 educationand itsimplications forthe Academy –particularlyregarding theteaching learningand assessmentmethodologies,student support,skillsdevelopment andentitlement,English andMaths

BCA job specification pack

What our staff say…

I like the progressive nature of the college and how we are always looking to expand and offer a more rounded experience for the learners.

The best part of my role is being able to make a positive difference to the lives of many, supporting our young people in seeing their potential.

There is fantastic communication between members of staff and the management team.

I feel supported and encouraged in my role, inspired to continue working to deliver high quality

The staff get on well with each other and work together positively to benefit the organisation.

Lovely working environment with a supportive team and great students.

What we do, individually, and overall, makes a huge impact on the lives of these young people and empowers them.

I like the collaborative culture and genuine care for staff, with time and energy invested.

BCA is a small organisation with a big heart and a great mission to develop learners from disadvantaged communities.

I am trusted by my manager to use initiative and develop my area as I see fit. I feel trusted and valued in my ideas and opinions.

The environment at BCA is a huge stand out to me. The staff are diverse so it makes me feel very comfortable.

The absolutely fantastic team of staff that I work with – we all come from different walks of life yet share the same creative interests and goals in improving learner’s experience and their lives in general.

The community feel to our college is second to none.

BCA job specification pack

BCA is an equal opportunities employer and positively welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to safeguarding all learners enrolled on our programmes and appointment of successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory references being obtained, and an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

To find out more about BCA and our approach to education please visit http://www.bigcreative.education/

BCA job specification pack was rated “good” by Ofsted at our last inspection.

Read the full report >

Useful links

Socials

Insta @we.are.bce

Twitter:@we.are.bce

bigcreative.education

• Slide 1
• Slide 2: Welcome to Big Creative Academy
• Slide 3
• Slide 4: What our learners and graduates say…
• Slide 5: Job Description & Person Specification
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13: What our staff say…
• Slide 14