WCG Drive Head of Department - Science in Royal Leamington Spa

In order to comply with our mandatory pre-employment checks, the successful candidate will be required to provide original identification documents in person to our UK based People Services Department. We're looking for someone to join our Warwick Trident team as a Head of Department on a permanent, full time basis in this new exciting role as part of WCG Drive. This is a 14-16 Direct Entry Provision at our Trident College campus from September 2026. Students studying here will study 3 core GCSEs plus a Level 1 or 2 qualification in either Engineering or Motor Vehicle.

BACKGROUND TO POST

You will report to the Headteacher of 14-16 and will deliver GCSE Science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics) to students. In addition to delivering this core subject, we are also interested in talking to candidates who could deliver PE, or life skills and PHSE as part of a dual role. As a qualified and experienced teacher, along with experience of SEMH, you will be encouraged to develop the Science curriculum along with the Headteacher. You will be responsible for continuing to develop the curriculum, ensuring outstanding quality WCG Drive aims and objectives. Liaising with the Headteacher, identifying solutions for any potential barriers to the centre's effectiveness, and developing strategies for improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the centre's context, making sure these improvement strategies are effectively implemented. You will have oversight and be responsible for developing this department with expected growth over the next year.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Curriculum development and innovation, ensuring creativity and the use of appropriate technologies to achieve excellence.
• Contributing to the educational vision, direction and ethos that secures effective teaching and successful learning and achievement by learners, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
• To undertake all forms of pedagogic work which may include classroom and online teaching, tutorial work and associated outreach duties and work experience placements.
• Teach 25 hours per week during the school term (for 39 weeks per year).
• To conduct curriculum development work including identification of student requirements, planning, development and evaluation of courses and course materials.
• To ensure the associated organisational and administrative work, preparation and marking is undertaken.
• To maintain accurate records of learner progress, tracking and achievement.
• To support learners' needs and liaise with appropriate staff to ensure strategies are in place to support the learners' progress.
• Ensure parents and learners are well informed about the curriculum, attainment and progress and about the contribution that they can make to achieving the WCG Drive targets for improvement.
• Hold parent evenings and complete reports to meet the requirements of the curriculum under the guidance of the Headteacher.
• Create a culture where learners experience a positive and enriching college life and integrate them with the wider college community.
• Uphold educational standards in order to prepare learners from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life.
• Encourage high standards of behaviour from learners, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and learners and clearly demonstrated by all adults in the centre.
• Use consistent and fair approaches to managing behaviour, in line with the college's behaviour policy.
• Have ambitious expectations for all learners with SEN and disabilities including those who have had a poor experience of education to date.
• Work effectively with parents, carers and professionals to identify additional needs and provide support and adaptation where appropriate to secure the outcomes of Every Child Matters.
• Promote a culture and practices that ensures all learners receive a high-quality education in a happy, stimulating, safe and healthy environment.
• Ensure staff and learners' safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care.
• Complete an initial assessment with each learner to establish the correct level to be undertaken and agreeing the target timescale.
• Ensuring that learners are enrolled and registered with the appropriate awarding body.
• Following the guidance issued by both the Awarding Body and the College with regard to assessment practice and the completion of documentation.
• Monitoring and managing the progress of individual learners so as to meet the targets agreed in the Department Quality Improvement Plan.
• To communicate progress and provide feedback to the Headteacher. This will involve regular and open discussion, advising on learner progress, any issues relating to the provision.
• To participate in appropriate team and committee meetings.

The list of duties is not exhaustive but outlines the main features of the post at appointment and may vary as the job evolves without affecting the nature of the duties or the responsibility level.

In order to support during busy exam periods, you may be asked to undertake exam invigilator duties. The College will provide training.

OFFERS OF WORK

For the successful candidate a conditional offer of work will be made. Our offer of work will be conditional upon a number of mandatory pre-employment checks, to include but not limited to DBS, Barred List check, right to work check, internet search, TRA check (academic posts).

Essential Qualifications & Attainments:

• Essential Qualified Teacher Status
• GCSE grade A-C or equivalent qualification in Maths and English
• Educated to degree level in a related subject
• Experience of managing a team, ideally in education
• Proven track record of curriculum development.
• Clear understanding of relevant sector Industry needs and strategies to meet skills required.
• A willingness to undertake continuing professional development.
• In order to ensure our students are being taught the latest skills there is a requirement for Lecturers to maintain their CPD and update industry specific skills on an annual basis.

Desirable Qualifications & Attainments:

• Ability to deliver PE or Life Skills and PHSE