Functional Skills Lead. Job in Hemel Hempstead Education & Training Jobs

Job Role: Functional Skills Lead

Location HMP The Mount
Salary: From 35,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Assistant Manager to support the delivery of high-quality education provision within a prison environment. In this pivotal role, you will assist the Education Manager in overseeing day-to-day operations, managing teaching and support staff, and driving excellence across all aspects of curriculum, learner engagement, and performance outcomes.

As part of the senior management team, you will be responsible for ensuring that learners are provided with meaningful educational opportunities that support their personal development and reduce re-offending through skills and education. You will also deputise for the Education Manager where required and act as a key point of leadership across the establishment.

This is a site-based role with daily face-to-face interaction with learners.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Education Manager with the overall management of education delivery, ensuring a high-quality learning experience.
• Lead curriculum planning and quality assurance activities to meet both Ofsted and Ministry of Justice requirements.
• Oversee learner induction, allocation to classes, and behaviour management within the department.
• Build and maintain positive internal and external partnerships to enhance learning opportunities for learners.
• Monitor and drive performance against key contractual KPIs, including recruitment, retention, achievement, and learner satisfaction.
• Line manage teaching and support staff, including performance reviews, professional development, and mentoring.
• Implement a robust quality cycle, including lesson observations, deep dives, and learning walks, ensuring action plans are delivered and improvement is continuous.
• Coordinate the delivery of accredited qualifications and liaise with awarding bodies to maintain compliance with quality standards.
• Manage IQA and EQA schedules and processes, carrying out internal quality assurance activities where required.
• Develop and deliver CPD programmes based on trends from quality monitoring and staff development needs.
• Prepare reports, contribute to self-assessment, and support the creation of annual Quality Improvement Plans.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within all aspects of education delivery.
• Ensure full compliance with prison security requirements at all times.
• Deliver teaching sessions when required to support curriculum delivery.
• Act as a deputy for the Education Manager, providing leadership across the department in their absence.

Essential Criteria

• Significant teaching experience, ideally within further education or prison education settings.
• Strong background in curriculum development and quality improvement processes.
• Proven leadership and staff management skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Level 5 or above Teaching Qualification.
• Level 3 English and Maths.
• Experience of driving improvements to meet Ofsted standards and contractual KPIs.
• Clear understanding of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF).
• Commitment to improving lives through education and skills development.

Desirable Criteria

• Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance (or willingness to work towards).
• Level 5 Operations or Departmental Manager Qualification.
• Experience working within a secure environment.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Strong leadership with a supportive and motivational approach.
• Ability to innovate and solve problems to raise standards and achieve challenging targets.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence others.
• Organised and proactive, with the ability to work to deadlines.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Understanding of safeguarding, Prevent duty, and promoting the wellbeing of learners.