Director of Curriculum - Education Pathways and Foundation Learning in Lewes

Full Time (37.5 hours per week) Salary: Up to £59,000 per annum Closing Date: 26th May 08:00 Assessment Centre: 1st June

Plumpton College is a provider of land and environmental education in the UK, offering programmes from Entry Level to Master’s degrees across multiple specialist subjects.

This senior leadership position offers an opportunity to shape the strategic direction, growth and long-term sustainability of Education Pathways and Foundation Learning.

In This Role, You Will:

• Set and deliver a clear strategic vision for Education Pathways and Foundation Learning, ensuring the curriculum is high quality, inclusive and future-focused.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with schools, multi‑academy trusts, local authorities, employers, parents, carers and other stakeholders to strengthen learner pipelines and progression routes.
• Lead and inspire managers and teams, fostering a culture of high expectations, accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.
• Ensure consistently high-quality teaching, learning and assessment, promoting innovation, effective use of digital technologies and strong learner progress.
• Oversee divisional operations, including budgets, staffing, timetabling, recruitment activity, open events and resource deployment, ensuring sustainable and efficient provision.
• Provide strategic oversight of the learner journey from pre‑enrolment through to induction, support and progression, ensuring students and families feel informed, confident and well supported.
• Drive quality assurance, self‑assessment and improvement planning in close collaboration with Teaching, Learning and Quality colleagues.
• Contribute to wider College leadership, planning and policy through active membership of the College Management Team and external representation of the College.

About You:

• Proven experience of successfully overseeing Key Stage 3 and 4 provision in a school or comparable education environment.
• Significant sector experience and specialist knowledge in 14–16 education and supported learning.
• A strong track record of leading and managing teams, with the ability to inspire colleagues, develop managers and deliver sustained high performance.
• Experience of leading change, driving improvement and securing strong learner outcomes, progression and quality indicators.
• A relevant professional or vocational qualification, or a degree.
• A teaching and/or assessing qualification.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, student welfare and inclusive practice, with a clear understanding of how to support vulnerable learners and those with SEND.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams and external partners.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem‑solving skills, with confidence using data and management information to inform planning and decision‑making.
• Effective budget management skills and the ability to deliver financially sustainable provision.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and collaborative working.

You’ll Benefit From:

• We offer a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and efficiency closure days at Christmas.
• The role is eligible for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, including employer contributions and life assurance.
• Staff benefit from high‑quality CPD and professional development opportunities, supported by a strong coaching culture and structured induction.
• As a Disability Confident Committed employer and signatory of the Menopause Pledge, we are proud to support an inclusive and supportive working environment.
• Additional benefits include eligibility for TOTUM and Blue Light Cards, free eye tests, free use of our onsite gym, cycle‑to‑work scheme, discounted Plumpton produce and courses, free onsite parking, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and to eliminating unfair discrimination in all its forms. Plumpton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.