Head of Pastoral and Learner Experience

Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 29th November 2026 Interview Date: TBC ‘Together, Let’s Be Extraordinary’ Our Organisation East Lancashire Learning Group is made up of three merged colleges: Nelson and Colne College, Accrington and Rossendale College and Lancashire Adult Learning. The Group is a beacon for teaching and learning excellence. It is an innovative provider; a research hub for teaching and learning, with a clear ambition to deliver the best possible experience and outcomes for learners. The Exciting Role A new and exciting opportunity has become available for a Head of Pastoral and Learner Experience. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Further Education practitioner who puts learners at the centre of their work and wants to make a wider difference to their experience of college. You will lead and develop the pastoral and learner experience across the Group, bringing together tutorial and personal development, learner voice, behaviour and attitudes, enrichment, induction, Freshers and internal progression. The role is about understanding what a great learner experience looks and feels like in practice, and helping colleagues deliver it consistently. You will bring a strong understanding of learners and the FE environment, alongside the ability to use quality standards, learner feedback and performance information to recognise what is working well and where things need to improve. It is a role with real scope to shape practice, try new approaches and make a visible difference to attendance, engagement, belonging, retention and progression. The successful candidate will work across East Lancashire Learning Group sites and provide visible leadership across the Group. We would love to hear from experienced practitioners who are already leading pastoral, tutorial, personal development or learner-experience work, as well as established curriculum or quality leaders who are ready to broaden their leadership experience. You will have a proven track record in FE, understand the realities of working with learners and colleagues day to day, and be able to show how your leadership has improved practice and learner outcomes. Above all, you will be someone who listens to learners, supports colleagues and combines high expectations with an inclusive and practical approach. What You Will Be Doing: Put learners at the heart of the Group’s pastoral and learner-experience approach, ensuring activity responds to their needs and supports positive outcomes. Shape and continually improve an engaging tutorial and personal development curriculum that is relevant, inclusive and consistently well delivered. Work alongside teachers, tutors and leaders to strengthen practice through coaching, observation, shared learning and practical support. Use learner feedback, quality activity and performance information to understand what is working well, identify variation and focus improvement where it will make the greatest difference. Strengthen attendance, engagement, belonging and positive behaviour through clear expectations, supportive relationships and timely intervention. Create meaningful opportunities for learner voice, enrichment, leadership, social action and celebration, ensuring learners can see how their views lead to change. Lead induction, Freshers, internal progression and transition activity so learners feel welcomed, informed and well supported throughout their journey. Lead and develop a team of Pastoral Tutors, encouraging ideas, ownership and consistently high standards of learner-focused practice. Work closely with curriculum and support colleagues across the Group so the learner experience feels joined up, accessible and consistent. What We Are Looking For: Significant experience of working successfully in Further Education or a closely related post-16 setting, with a strong understanding of learners and the realities of the FE environment. A recognised teaching qualification and recent teaching or practitioner experience that keeps you connected to what effective learner-focused practice looks like. Leadership experience gained within pastoral, tutorial, personal development, learner experience, curriculum, quality or a related area, with evidence that you are ready to lead across a broader remit. A track record of improving the learner experience and outcomes through practical changes to practice, provision or ways of working. A good understanding of quality standards and improvement, with the ability to use learner feedback, observation, self-assessment and performance information constructively rather than as an end in themselves. The ability to engage, coach and support colleagues, building confidence and consistency while maintaining high expectations. A collaborative leadership style and the confidence to work across curriculum and support teams, bringing people together around what is best for learners. Curiosity, energy and sound judgement, with a genuine commitment to inclusion, learner participation and helping every learner feel that they belong and can succeed. What We Offer in Return: Eligibility to join an appropriate pension scheme Generous annual leave allowance including a two-week closure over the Christmas period Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme and access to family friendly policies and benefits A range of health and wellbeing benefits and support Free on-site parking on all College sites Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme http://www.eastlancslearning.ac.uk/ Head of Pastoral and Learner Experience Company: Nelson and Colne College Salary: £500,057 to £500,057 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 7YT Job type: Permanent Posting date: 11 Nov 2026 Closing date: 29 Nov 2026