Head of Teaching, Learning, Assessment, CPD & Digital TLA

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 Groups 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 Groups 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 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.

We are looking for hard-working and collaborative people who can join our team and help challenge our students to achieve and progress.