Director of Curriculum and High Needs

The Director of Curriculum and High Needs holds cross-Group responsibility for developing and leading the Groups Inclusive Learning strategy and for ensuring high-quality opportunities for students with learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD). As a member of the Group Leadership Team, the postholder shares collective accountability for delivering the College Vision, Strategic Plan, Objectives and Annual Operating Plan.

The role requires leading the Groups Inclusive Learning strategy, driving effective curriculum development and fostering strong partnerships with local and regional stakeholders. The Director will ensure that target income and contribution levels are met for High Needs Students (HNS), Additional Learning Support (ALS) and all curriculum areas within their remit. You will build capacity and capability across the Group to deliver consistently high-quality provision for learners with LDD, utilising a range of delivery models.

Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, you will develop curriculum pathways that meet community needs and support learners with LDD to achieve success and progress into employment, further education or training. A strong commitment to exemplary safeguarding practices is essential, ensuring that all students with LDD are protected and supported at all times.

The role demands excellent knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy for students with learning difficulties and disabilities within the FE sector, alongside a thorough understanding of funding and learning support provisions for students with additional needs. You should have a strong track record of leadership in an FE setting, including evidence of effective management of a significant budget.

We are looking for someone with a proven record of growing and developing provision for students with learning difficulties and disabilities, as well as a successful and sustained history of implementing systems and processes that have raised quality and standards in learning and teaching. You will have demonstrated the successful management of change within an organisation and have experience working collaboratively with partners, including employers and external agencies, to develop the College Curriculum and achieve income targets.

You will ideally hold a teaching qualification, a Level 3 safeguarding qualification and either possess, or be willing to work towards, a management qualification. Training as an Ofsted Inspector or QAA Reviewer is also advantageous.

This is a Group Wide post, and you will be required to travel to or work from any of the South Thames Colleges Group sites.

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. This leave is all in addition to Bank Holiday entitlement. 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.

South Thames Colleges Group is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. 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.

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.

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 Londons 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.