At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in animal care and horticulture curriculum development.
- Company: Dearne Valley College, a diverse and inclusive educational institution.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, health schemes, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive environment for personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education while making a real impact on students' lives.
- Qualifications: Teaching qualification and relevant experience in animal care or plant sciences required.
The predicted salary is between 43672 - 43672 £ per year.
Hours: Full‑time (37 hours each week, all year round). Duration: Permanent. Salary: £43,672 a year + benefits. Location: Dearne Valley College, Rotherham.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced lecturer or course leader to step into operational leadership. As the Curriculum Performance Lead (CPL), you will shape our inclusive curriculum, ensuring provision meets local, regional and national skills needs while maintaining academic excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational & Team Leadership
- Line Management: Provide clear direction, support and professional challenge to lecturers, assessors and technicians.
- Performance & Development: Lead the Performance Development Review (PDR) process, setting targets and identifying CPD needs.
- Staff Induction & Support: Deliver structured induction and mentoring for new and developing staff.
- Resource Planning: Manage staffing allocation, contribute to timetable development and oversee delegated physical resources and budgets.
- Quality Assurance & Curriculum Excellence
- Academic Rigour: Lead the local self‑assessment process (SAR), manage IQA/EQA and ensure compliance with external awarding bodies.
- Quality Improvement: Conduct learning walks with the Quality Team to enhance classroom and training experience.
- Data Integrity: Manage student data, maintain accurate registers, track enrolment and monitor exam claims with the MIS team.
- Student Success & Inclusive Practice
- Teaching & Tutoring: Deliver high‑quality teaching, planning and assessment across various programmes; act as a group tutor.
- Early Intervention: Monitor attendance, punctuality and progress, implementing strategies to address underperformance.
- Inclusive Curriculum: Work to eliminate barriers, ensuring students with EHCPs or facing social exclusion receive tailored support.
- Employability & Recruitment: Engage employers, schools and parents to secure real‑world projects and recruit the right students to the right course.
Key Role Objectives
- Foster a culture of high expectations, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Use coaching techniques to support well‑being, life skills and self‑reliance of staff and students.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory bodies, focusing on Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Prevent Duty.
- Meet or exceed departmental KPIs, reporting progress to the Curriculum Manager.
Challenges You'll Thrive On
- Be a positive role model and help staff overcome daily obstacles.
- Support every learner, regardless of challenges.
- Adapt quickly to awarding body specifications and curriculum shifts.
Qualifications & Experience
- Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification in English and Maths, or willingness to undertake.
- Recognised teaching qualification at Level 5 or higher.
- Professionally relevant qualification within animal care, veterinary sciences, animal welfare or plant sciences.
- Assessor’s award (A1/CAVA) advantageous.
- Strong knowledge of curriculum intent, quality assurance processes and data tracking in Further Education, Adult and Apprentices.
- Empathetic, coaching‑focused leadership ability and collaborative mindset.
Benefits & Rewards
- Access to teacher pension scheme (23.68% employer contribution).
- Up to 50 days annual leave (including Christmas closure).
- Access to gyms, restaurants and salons.
- Staff health & wellbeing schemes and in‑house Occupational Health service.
- Well‑being support hub covering physical, mental and financial well‑being.
- Full, part‑time and flexible working hours available in many roles.
- Free parking on all sites.
- Career development opportunities, training funding and industry recognised qualifications.
- Fees up to £6,000 in STEM for new FE teachers (conditions apply).
- Recruitment referral scheme (£200 per referral).
We welcome applications from everyone regardless of background and celebrate diversity. We are inclusive, uphold integrity, deliver outcomes and work as one team. All new employees will be required to undertake DBS checks in line with safeguarding guidance. All candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.
Animal Care & Horticulture Curriculum Lead in Rotherham employer: onlyFE
Dearne Valley College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. With access to generous benefits such as a robust pension scheme, extensive annual leave, and career advancement opportunities, staff are empowered to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact on students' lives in the vibrant community of Rotherham.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Care & Horticulture Curriculum Lead in Rotherham
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like onlyFE.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like onlyFE.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at onlyFE; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care & Horticulture Curriculum Lead in Rotherham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at onlyFE.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Animal Care & Horticulture Curriculum Lead.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what onlyFE is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at onlyFE a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at onlyFE
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at onlyFE might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
