Recruitment for education and the public sector
Prison Education From £35,000 per annum Permanent senior Level 28 September 2026
Also teaches: Painting & Decorating Art Music Media Personal & Social Development
Job Description
Job Title: Assistant Manager – Vocational
Location: HMP The Mount (Bovingdon, Hertfordshire)
Salary: From £35,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
The Opportunity
We have an exciting leadership opportunity for an Assistant Manager – Vocational to join the senior management team on-site at HMP The Mount. Working alongside the Education Manager, you will oversee and elevate the vocational curriculum—spanning Motor Mechanics, Painting & Decorating, Art, Music, Media, and Personal & Social Development (PSD)—fostering a high-performing teaching environment that delivers outstanding educational outcomes.
What You Will Be Doing
Operational Leadership & Deputising: Support the Education Manager with day-to-day operations across the education department, managing learner inductions, allocations, and conduct, while stepping in to lead the department when required.
Vocational Curriculum Management: Oversee delivery and continuous improvement across diverse trade and creative departments (e.g., Motor Mechanics, P&D, Art, Music, Media, PSD), ensuring qualifications align with employer expectations and awarding body standards.
Quality Assurance & Performance: Lead internal quality assurance (IQA/EQA) processes, developmental observations, learning walks, and deep dives. Use MoJ management information systems to analyse performance and drive targets for recruitment, retention, and achievement.
Staff Development & Coaching: Manage and mentor teaching and support staff through formal appraisals, probation reviews, and tailored CPD plans, fostering a supportive, high-performing culture.
Inspection Readiness & Delivery: Contribute directly to the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) in line with Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF), while delivering cover teaching sessions when necessary.
What We Are Looking For
Teaching Credentials: Essential Level 5+ Teaching Qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS, or equivalent) alongside Level 3 qualifications in both Maths and English.
Quality Assurance: Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) qualification (or willingness to achieve upon appointment).
Leadership Experience: Significant teaching experience with proven success in staff management, vocational curriculum oversight, and quality improvement within FE, adult learning, or prison education settings.
Inspection Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and quality assurance mechanisms.
Desirable Criteria: Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager qualification and prior experience within secure custodial environments.
Our Benefits Include:
30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
Paid volunteering day each year
Enhanced Wedding Leave & Enhanced Maternity Scheme
24/7 Employee Assistance Programme & online wellbeing portal
Access to hundreds of retail discounts via the Additions portal
- Level 5+ Teaching Qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS, or equivalent)
- IQA qualification (or willingness to achieve)
- Significant teaching experience
- Quality improvement experience in FE, adult learning, or prison education
- Knowledge of Ofsted Education Inspection Framework
- Enhanced DBS check
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Paid volunteering day each year
- Cycle to Work scheme
Skills & Qualifications
Vocational curriculum management Internal Quality Assurance (IQA/EQA) Staff development and coaching Performance management Ofsted inspection preparation SAR and QIP development MoJ management information systems Leadership and deputising Teaching delivery
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