At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead teaching excellence and professional development across South Thames Colleges Group.
- Company: Join one of London’s largest providers of post-16 education and training.
- Benefits: Enjoy 37 days annual leave, excellent pension, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on teaching quality and student success.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and recognised teaching qualification required.
The predicted salary is between 47185 - 131056 € per year.
Permanent, Full Time
Please note that this post is funded for the 2026/27 academic year onwards so the successful candidate would not be expected to commence in post prior to August 2026.
The Head of TLA, CPD & Digital TLA is the Group’s senior lead for pedagogical excellence, professional learning and delivery of the Teaching, Learning & Assessment strategy across South Thames Colleges Group. This role drives progression from consistency to mastery to excellence, ensuring teaching practice is high-quality, evidence-informed and aligned with inspection expectations. It provides strategic leadership for quality improvement, teacher development and inspection readiness across the Group.
You will lead the Group’s Observation Process, oversee its design, implementation, moderation and quality assurance, whilst undertaking high-level observations. Managing a specialist team, including Teaching & Development Coaches, the Specialist Maths Practitioner and the CPD & Training Coordinator, you will ensure impactful coaching, early career development, digital pedagogy support and targeted interventions. You will also lead the planning and delivery of Group-wide CPD and training, responsive to insights from quality assurance, digital innovation and organisational priorities.
Working closely with Digital & IT and HR Directorates, you will ensure alignment between pedagogical development, digital strategy, induction and workforce capability. Collaboration with curriculum leaders, teacher education and quality teams will ensure consistent implementation across all campuses. As a senior representative, you will engage with external networks and national bodies to keep practice aligned with sector research, policy and regulatory developments.
This role would suit someone who is educated to degree level and who holds a recognised teaching qualification such as PGCE or DET. You will be an experienced teacher with evidence of outstanding practice and have experience of evaluating and improving the quality of teaching, learning and assessment. This will include observation practice and developing individual teachers and teams.
You will have the ability to design, implement and manage quality improvement and professional development guidance, systems and processes across all learning provision, and have knowledge of how to evaluate and report on performance and impact. Knowledge of FE quality frameworks and legislation including OFSTED EIF; white papers is also essential.
This is a cross-group role and will require travelling across the South Thames Colleges Group.
The successful candidate will be eligible for any increase in salary as a consequence of the annual cost of living review that will be implemented in the new academic year.
Closing date for the return of completed applications is Sunday 31st May 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at Kingston College on Thursday 11th June 2026.
The benefits package includes generous annual leave of 37 days plus up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year as well as an additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees’ physical and mental health. There is an excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme), subsidised sports facilities and professional development and training plus a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.
As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
The South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, which merged on 1 August 2017. South Thames Colleges Group is one of London’s largest providers of post-16 education and training and is an ongoing and significant contributor to its local communities. We aim to put students’ success at the heart of everything we do.
We are looking for hard-working and collaborative people who can join our team and help challenge our students to achieve and progress.
When you click on ‘Apply’, you will be forwarded to the application page which sits on a platform hosted by an external partner called Blue Octopus who support STCG throughout the recruitment process.
Head of Teaching, Learning, Assessment, CPD & Digital TLA in Kingston upon Thames employer: South Thames College Group
The South Thames Colleges Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a culture of pedagogical excellence and professional development. With generous benefits including 37 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, we prioritise the growth and success of our staff. Our collaborative environment encourages innovation and continuous improvement, making it an ideal place for educators looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of post-16 education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Teaching, Learning, Assessment, CPD & Digital TLA in Kingston upon Thames
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at South Thames Colleges Group on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and help us stand out in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in teaching, learning, and assessment. We want to show that we’re not just familiar with the basics but also passionate about driving pedagogical excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our responses to common interview questions, especially those related to quality improvement and teacher development. Let’s make sure we can articulate our vision clearly and confidently!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team at South Thames Colleges Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Teaching, Learning, Assessment, CPD & Digital TLA in Kingston upon Thames
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Head of TLA. We want to see how you can drive pedagogical excellence and quality improvement, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about strategic leadership, so be sure to emphasise your experience in managing teams and driving professional development. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others, so share examples of how you've led initiatives or improved teaching practices.
Be Evidence-Informed:We love data! When discussing your past experiences, include specific examples and evidence of how your actions have led to improvements in teaching and learning. This will show us that you’re not just about theory but also about practical results.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Thames College Group
✨Know Your Pedagogical Excellence
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and research in teaching and learning. Brush up on evidence-informed practices and be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams or initiatives in the past. Highlight your experience with coaching and developing teachers, as well as your ability to manage quality improvement processes effectively.
✨Understand the Inspection Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the OFSTED Education Inspection Framework and other relevant legislation. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure compliance and readiness for inspections across the Group.
✨Engage with Digital Pedagogy
Since this role involves digital TLA, be ready to talk about your experience with digital tools and strategies. Share specific examples of how you’ve integrated technology into teaching and learning to enhance student outcomes.