At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Built Environment and Sustainable Development School, shaping innovative curricula and engaging with local communities.
- Company: Join Tresham College, a vibrant part of The Bedford College Group, dedicated to educational excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, pension schemes, and fantastic professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while leading a passionate team towards sustainability and innovation.
- Qualifications: Must have teaching qualifications and extensive experience in Further Education leadership.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community that values teamwork, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 47972 - 62100 £ per year.
Location: Tresham College – Corby and Wellingborough Campuses
Salary/Benefits: Salary is between £47,972 and £62,099 per annum (DOE & Qualifications), 35 days annual leave plus Bank holidays, Teacher’s pension / Local Government Pension Scheme, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.
Hours/Weeks: 37 hours per week – 52 weeks per year
Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time
Right to Work: UK based contract; you must have the Right to Work in the UK. No sponsorship available; offer subject to evidence of Right to Work.
About The Role
We are currently seeking a Head of School for Built Environment and Sustainable Development to join our Construction department at the Bedford College Group.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Vision – Provide cross‑School leadership, creating an ambitious, well‑sequenced curriculum that responds to local needs, drives innovation, and ensures students from all backgrounds achieve high aspirations.
- Curriculum Quality & Sector Engagement – Develop a clear vision for the School, scan emerging trends, engage with employers and community partners, and implement high‑quality learning activities aligned with TBCG strategies and policies.
- Team Leadership, Performance & Development – Lead Programme Managers and wider staff, set standards and targets, provide mentoring, ensure effective induction and appraisals, manage performance proactively, and support staff wellbeing and professional growth.
- Operational Management & Accountability – Oversee business planning, budgets, staffing, compliance, timetabling, statutory obligations and key organisational metrics; engage in self‑assessment, participate in organisational meetings, and ensure effective day‑to‑day team delivery.
- College‑Wide Responsibilities & Compliance – Represent the School at internal/external forums, contribute to cross‑college activities (ID checks, invigilation, events), and ensure full adherence to safeguarding, EDI, health and safety, and training and development requirements.
About You
- Qualifications & Professional Development – GCSE (A–C/Level 2) in Maths and English, recognised teaching qualification (PGCE/Cert Ed or equivalent), and evidence of continuous professional development in leadership and management.
- Curriculum, Strategy & Leadership Experience – Extensive experience leading and managing curriculum in Further Education, including strategy implementation, policy development, change management, budget management and driving high‑performing post‑16 provision.
- Analytical, Reporting & Project Skills – Strong ability to analyse data, write and present performance reports, manage projects, prioritise effectively, and make informed decisions within defined authority levels.
- People Management, Communication & Influence – Excellent interpersonal, organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to influence at all levels, deploy staff effectively, build professional relationships, and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive data.
- Professionalism, Values & Flexibility – High attention to detail, strong IT and numeracy skills, ability to work under pressure, travel across campuses, adapt working hours, uphold safeguarding/EDI/H&S expectations, and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with young people.
For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.
Interview Details
Interviews to be held: 22 April 2026
Successful candidates must also 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 Tresham College
Tresham College has three main sites in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough, each with impressive modern buildings. Across our sites we offer a range of subjects including art & design, construction, engineering, motor vehicle, hairdressing and beauty therapy and more in support of our local communities.
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.
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 a thorough vetting process which includes an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Head of School - Built Environment and Sustainable Development in Wellingborough employer: The Bedford College Group
Contact Detail:
The Bedford College Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of School - Built Environment and Sustainable Development in Wellingborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved in built environment and sustainable development. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the college's vision and values. Make sure you can articulate how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. We love hearing about your successes and how you’ve driven high performance in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the position and appreciate the opportunity to interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of School - Built Environment and Sustainable Development in Wellingborough
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 School. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Share specific examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past, especially in education. This will help us understand how you can drive our vision forward.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences. Avoid fluff and focus on what matters!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role there.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Bedford College Group
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
As a Head of School, you'll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of the Built Environment and Sustainable Development curriculum. Research current trends and innovations in the field, and be ready to discuss how you would implement these in your leadership role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you've set standards, mentored staff, or improved performance. This will show that you can lead Programme Managers effectively.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the organisational VISION values. Be prepared to give examples of how you embody these values in your work, especially in terms of teamwork, inclusivity, and student-centred approaches. This alignment is crucial for them.
✨Prepare for Operational Questions
Expect questions about operational management, such as budgeting and compliance. Brush up on your knowledge of business planning and statutory obligations, and be ready to discuss how you would ensure effective day-to-day delivery in the school.