At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate the structural technologies curriculum, ensuring high standards in teaching and student success.
- Company: Join Windsor Forest Colleges Group, a leading education provider in the South East.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension scheme, free parking, and health & wellbeing perks.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with industry leaders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' futures while shaping the next generation of structural technology professionals.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification and recognised teaching qualification required, with experience in vocational courses.
Windsor Forest Colleges group is looking for a Head of Department for Structural Technologies to join our Slough and Langley College team starting in August 2026 on a permanent, full-time basis. This role offers a full-time position on Scale M at Slough and Langley College paying between £45,196.00 and £48,286.00 per year.
The role of Head of Department for Structural Technologies is a pivotal leadership role reporting to the Curriculum Director, dedicated to driving student retention, achievement, and educational innovation within structural technologies. The postholder will lead and develop the structural technologies curriculum team, directly overseeing programme managers and ensuring high standards of technical teaching across both practical workshops and classrooms.
Key responsibilities include:
- Implementing the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Framework tailored to vocational trade training.
- Monitoring at-risk students to deliver targeted support.
- Utilizing the college's Quality Cycle to continuously improve learner outcomes.
- Spearheading curriculum development by building strong ties with regional employers and industry stakeholders.
- Ensuring that the college's trade offerings align with local structural technologies market demands and the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).
Candidates must possess a degree-level qualification alongside a recognised teaching qualification, supported by recent, successful experience running vocational courses and maintaining high student success rates in trade disciplines. Essential criteria include:
- Proven expertise in managing or mentoring instructional and academic staff.
- Setting performance targets.
- Maintaining rigorous student discipline and safety awareness required for practical workshop environments.
The role requires exceptional communication and decision-making skills, physical and financial resource management capabilities to oversee specialised structural technologies equipment and materials, and proficiency in using Information Learning Technology (ILT) to enhance technical training. A deep understanding of 14-19 Further Education and contemporary structural technologies industry developments is highly advantageous.
About Us: The Windsor Forest Colleges Group (TWFCG) is a leading education provider in the South East. Our staff work across 4 main campuses at Langley, Windsor, Strodes Egham and Berkshire College of Agriculture Maidenhead. Our teams place the learner at the heart of all we do and in our state-of-the-art learning environments, we are proud to deliver education and training to a diverse group of students and businesses each year.
Our staff benefit from:
- Generous non-working day entitlement.
- Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) currently offering 28.68% employer contribution.
- Free onsite parking at all sites.
- Access to a wide range of subsidised leisure courses.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Family friendly policies supporting Work Life Balance.
- Onsite Coffee Shop & Cafeteria.
- Various health & wellbeing benefits including discounted gym memberships, confidential staff counselling and discounted hair and beauty treatments at The Salon at our Langley College site.
Please be advised that the vacancy will close on 2nd July 2026. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. To apply please visit our careers page and complete the online application form. Please note: Windsor Forest Colleges Group practices blind applications. As such we do not review or accept CVs submitted as part of your application. Only information listed on the Application Form under Employment and Education History, or in your Personal Statement will be considered when shortlisting. To avoid disappointment, please ensure you pay particular attention to these areas of the online application form making sure to include details of how you meet each of the essential criteria listed on the person specification.
The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS and Barred List check along with other legally required checks which are an essential part of the safeguarding process.
Head of Department for Structural Technologies in Slough employer: Windsor Forest Colleges Group
Windsor Forest Colleges Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and innovative work environment for the Head of Department for Structural Technologies role. With a strong commitment to employee growth, generous benefits including a Teachers’ Pension Scheme, and a focus on work-life balance, staff are empowered to thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact on students' lives. Located in Slough and Langley, our state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative culture foster professional development and community engagement, making it an ideal place for passionate educators.
Contact Details:
Windsor Forest Colleges Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Department for Structural Technologies in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the college and its values! Research Windsor Forest Colleges Group and understand their mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current staff or alumni from the college on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even give you a heads-up about what the interviewers are really looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role's responsibilities, especially around curriculum development and student support. Practise your answers so you can deliver them confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Windsor Forest Colleges Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Department for Structural Technologies in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. We want to see how you meet the essential criteria, so make sure you understand what we're looking for in a Head of Department for Structural Technologies.
Tailor Your Personal Statement:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Make it specific to this role by highlighting your relevant experience and skills. We love seeing how you've led teams or improved student outcomes in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out the application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward responses that directly address the questions. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Early:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We review applications on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances. Head over to our careers page and get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Windsor Forest Colleges Group
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the structural technologies curriculum and the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Framework. Be ready to discuss how you would implement these frameworks and improve student outcomes, as this will show your commitment to educational innovation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams or mentored staff in the past. Highlight your experience in setting performance targets and maintaining high standards, as this role is all about leading a department and ensuring quality teaching.
✨Connect with Industry Trends
Familiarise yourself with current developments in the structural technologies industry and the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). Being able to discuss how you would build relationships with regional employers will demonstrate your proactive approach to curriculum development.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Think about how you would handle real-life situations in a workshop environment, especially regarding student discipline and safety. Be ready to share your strategies for monitoring at-risk students and delivering targeted support, as this is crucial for the role.
