Practical Instructor - Equine - Maternity Cover in Biggleswade

Location: Shuttleworth College – Old Warden

Salary/Benefits: Salary is between £27,717 and £32,515 per annum DOE and Qualifications, 27 days annual leave plus Bank holidays, People’s Pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.

Hours/Weeks: 37 hours per week – 52 weeks per year - Tuesday to Saturday

Contract Type: Fixed Term – Full Time

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

About the role: We are currently seeking a Practical Instructor in Equine to join our Animal Science department at The Bedford College Group. As a Practical Instructor, you play an important role in the success of our students through:

• Practical Teaching & Skills Development: Deliver high-quality, hands-on equine training sessions, preparing schemes of work and materials to support vocational learning and student competence.
• Assessment & Student Progress: Set, assess, and monitor practical and written work, providing timely feedback to support student development and achievement.
• Equine Care & Yard Management: Support the daily care, welfare, and exercise of horses, while overseeing the maintenance of yard facilities, paddocks, and equipment.
• Technical Support & Resource Management: Prepare and manage horses, equipment, and learning resources, maintaining accurate inventories and ensuring readiness for teaching activities.
• Health, Safety & Professional Standards: Ensure safe working environments through risk assessments and compliance with regulations, while upholding safeguarding, EDI, and contributing to team and college activities.

About you:

• Qualifications & Industry Experience: Level 3 Horse Management (or equivalent) with BHS Level 2, GCSE English and Maths (or willingness), and recent practical experience in the equine industry and training environments.
• Equine Care & Practical Skills: Strong ability to deliver high standards of horse care, exercise horses safely, and apply current industry practices and yard safety procedures.
• Teaching & Learner Support: Experience working with young people, providing high-quality learning experiences, and creating a supportive and inclusive environment for students.
• Organisation, Communication & Teamwork: Well-organised, able to meet deadlines independently, communicate effectively, and contribute positively within a collaborative team environment.
• Professionalism & Flexibility: Reliable, adaptable, and committed to continuous development, with flexibility for varied hours (including weekends), health & safety awareness, and ability to travel.

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Interviews to be held: 20 July 2026

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork: We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
• Improving Continuously: We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student Centred: At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
• Inclusive: We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
• Open and Caring: We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
• Nurturing Education Excellence: We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.

About The Bedford College Group: The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year. Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for Motorsport alongside Silverstone race circuit. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding our Students: The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy. Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.