At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance student participation and personal development strategies for an inclusive college experience.
- Company: Blackburn College, committed to high-quality education and student engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, employee assistance programme, gym discounts, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives and shape their future success.
- Qualifications: Experience in designing impactful programmes and leading student initiatives.
The predicted salary is between 35741 - 42655 £ per year.
The College is seeking to appoint a dynamic, flexible and proactive individual to lead and continuously improve the college’s participation, personal development and student voice strategy. The successful candidate will ensure all learners benefit from a high-quality, impactful and inclusive experience, with consistently high expectations and ambition for every student, including those with SEND and those who are disadvantaged.
The post holder will design and implement a cohesive personal development, tutorial and enrichment offer that promotes active participation, develops learners’ knowledge, skills and behaviours, and prepares them effectively for their next steps in education, employment or training. Working collaboratively across curriculum and support services, they will ensure that personal development is embedded within study programmes and reflects current national priorities, including safeguarding, equality, British values and careers education.
We are looking for a suitably qualified professional with a proven track record of designing and delivering impactful, engaging personal development programmes that drive high expectations and ambitious outcomes for all learners. The candidate will have significant experience of leading student voice and participation initiatives, ensuring inclusive engagement from all learner groups—particularly those whose voices are often underrepresented—and be able to demonstrate the positive impact of this work.
A strong understanding of Ofsted expectations in relation to inclusion, participation and personal development is essential, alongside up-to-date knowledge of national priorities such as safeguarding, Prevent, equality and careers education. The ideal candidate will be an effective leader with strong people management skills, able to influence, inspire and collaborate across teams and departments to achieve shared goals.
Salary: £35,741 to £42,655
Full Time – 37hrs per week
Close date: 27/07/2026
Interview Date: Thursday 13 August 2026
What makes Blackburn College an Employer of choice?
- Employee Assistance Programme with a 24/7/365 helpline for advice and support
- Regular Staff Physical Activity Sessions and reduced‑price gym membership
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Discounted Bus Travel with the Transdev Commuter Club
- Family‑friendly policies
- Free eye tests and contribution to VDU‑use‑only glasses
- Several food outlets with a variety of menu choices
- A full range of discounted professional Hair & Beauty services provided by the Academy Salon
- Professional bakery offering a variety of fresh breads, cakes, and ready meals
Widening Participation and Development Manager in Blackburn employer: onlyFE
onlyFE is an excellent employer that values its staff and fosters a supportive work culture, particularly for those in the Education Cleaning Specialist role at our Poole campus. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to maintaining a safe and clean environment for both students and staff, making it a rewarding place to work.
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We think this is how you could land Widening Participation and Development Manager in Blackburn
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We think you need these skills to ace Widening Participation and Development Manager in Blackburn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Learning:When applying for a role in digital learning and education at onlyFE, make sure to sprinkle your application with examples of your enthusiasm for teaching and learning technologies. Share specific experiences where you've used, designed, or implemented digital learning solutions, as this shows us that you truly get the field.
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How to prepare for a job interview at onlyFE
✨Get Hands-On with Learning Technologies
Familiarise yourself with common digital learning tools and platforms, like LMS systems or authoring tools that onlyFE might use. Understanding these will give you an edge and show you’re ready to jump in from day one!
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Prepare a portfolio of your past projects if you have them, or create sample lesson plans or digital content demos. Being able to discuss your creative approach to engaging students can really set you apart in a full-time role at onlyFE.
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Expect to be asked about your experience working collaboratively with educators or other stakeholders. Consider discussing how you've contributed to a team effort in creating engaging educational content or improving student outcomes.
