Head of Curriculum & Quality in London

About Us

Our Newham Learning & Skills is an adult education service providing learning to residents in the borough. We pride ourselves on supporting the needs of our local communities with a firm focus on putting our students at the heart of everything we do. We believe in lifelong learning and empowering people to reach their full potential.

We sit within the Council’s Inclusive Housing and Economy directorate and are part of Newham’s Community Wealth Building strategy, underpinned by the principles of economic, social and environmental justice; so that long-term prosperity, wellbeing and fairness for all our residents in the Borough is achieved.

As well as attracting growth and investment into the borough, the Council’s Community Wealth Building (CWB) strategy will help unleash the potential of residents, businesses and the voluntary sector because they are the source of wealth and talent that will drive a fairer and more prosperous Newham. The CWB strategy will help the Council tackle injustices residents face with an unrelenting focus on poverty in the Borough, as well as addressing racial and gendered disparities that exist.

About the Job

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the curriculum and quality of a thriving local authority adult education service. As Head of Curriculum & Quality, you will provide strategic leadership to all curriculum areas and the quality team, leading subject experts and helping them apply their expertise to curriculum design and delivery. You will drive the innovation and growth of our curriculum offer, aligned with Newham Council and Greater London Authority priorities, so that Our Newham – Learning & Skills becomes a leading provider of lifelong learning in London and beyond.

Reporting to the Head of Service, you will deputise on strategic matters and play a visible role on the SMT. You will lead the service’s self-assessment and quality improvement planning, raise standards of teaching, learning and assessment, and ensure the service is fully prepared for Ofsted, acting as the Ofsted nominee. You will also act as the service’s Designated Safeguarding Officer, ensuring a safe environment for staff, learners and visitors.

You will lead four direct reports and manage a budget of £1.5m. Working closely with partners across Newham, London and beyond, and with our Advisory Board, you will build clear progression routes into higher level learning, apprenticeships and employment, secure new funding and income, and make sure the learner voice shapes everything we do.

About You

You are an inspiring and resilient senior leader with significant experience in a curriculum or quality leadership role within adult education or a similar environment. You have a proven track record of developing high performing teams that improve learner outcomes, and of curriculum development, growth and innovation that responds to local and national priorities.

You will hold a degree or equivalent and a recognised teaching qualification (such as a PGCE, Certificate in Education, DTLLS or Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training), supported by continuing professional development. You bring an excellent understanding of pedagogy for adult learners and a good understanding of adult education funding, performance measures and how to secure additional income.

You have experience of developing quality frameworks and self-assessment that result in outstanding teaching and learning, and you have contributed significantly to Ofsted inspections. You are adept at building strong relationships and external networks, and you relate effectively and empathetically to people at all levels and from diverse backgrounds.

You are passionate about adult learners and committed to safeguarding, the Prevent duty, health and safety, and Newham’s ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion, modelling open and inclusive behaviours across the service.

You have the ambition and drive to innovate and develop provision, and a proactive approach to taking on additional responsibilities as required to ensure the effective delivery of the service and to support learners in achieving their goals.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact David Pearson, Joint Acting Head of Service Delivery – Employment Support, Learning & Financial Resilience, by email at David.Pearson@newham.gov.uk.

The closing date for the receipt of applications is Monday 30 November 2026 at 5pm. You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interviews are scheduled for w/c Monday 14th December.

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

At Newham, our HEART values shape how we lead, collaborate and deliver for residents. We are looking for candidates who demonstrate inclusive and authentic leadership, are committed to achieving excellent outcomes, embrace innovation and continuous improvement, and work collaboratively across organisational boundaries. Most importantly, we want employees who share our commitment to serving diverse communities with integrity, accountability and a strong focus on equity and inclusion.

If you are applying for a management role, we encourage you to review our Managers' HEART Charter, which outlines the leadership expectations and behaviours that support our values in practice.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your CV and supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by here.