Job Description

Head of Department - Learning for Life, Thornton College and Transitions Hub

Application Deadline: 8 October 2026

Department: Core FE

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hugh Baird College - Thornton Campus

Reporting To: Sarah Collins

Compensation: £45,526 - £47,645 / year

Description

🌟 Head of Department - Learning for Life, Thornton College and Transitions Hub

🕓 Full-Time, Permanent

📅 50 Days Annual Leave

💷 £45,526 - £47,645 per annum + potential market supplement (DOE)

💼 Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS)

🎁 Access to Medicash and a Wide Range of Staff Benefits

At Hugh Baird College, an Ofsted Outstanding provider, we are committed to inspiring, challenging and transforming lives. Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we nurture a culture where excellence, innovation and collaboration drive success.

We are seeking an exceptional and inspirational Head of Department to lead our Learning for Life, Thornton College and Transitions Hub provision. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate educational leader to shape curriculum excellence, drive outstanding learner outcomes, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people with a wide range of needs.

Reporting to the Director of Foundation Learning, Thornton College & Transitions Hub, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across your department, ensuring learners receive an exceptional educational experience and achieve their full potential. You will lead on curriculum development, quality improvement, staff performance, learner achievement and stakeholder engagement while embedding the College's values and vision.

Working collaboratively with senior leaders, curriculum teams, support services and external partners, you will play a key role in ensuring the College continues to deliver outstanding outcomes for learners and communities across the Liverpool City Region.

Interested candidates are advised to apply early, as the vacancy may close once the right candidate is identified.

About the Role

As Head of Department, you will provide inspirational leadership and effective management of the curriculum area, driving continuous improvement in teaching, learning, assessment and the learner experience. You will be responsible for achieving departmental performance targets, supporting staff development, managing quality assurance processes and ensuring learners progress successfully into further learning, employment or independent living opportunities.

• Provide outstanding leadership and management of the department, ensuring delivery against strategic priorities and operational objectives.
• Drive high standards of teaching, learning, assessment and learner experience through effective quality assurance and improvement activities.
• Monitor and analyse curriculum performance, using data to inform decision-making and improvement planning.
• Lead achievement, attendance, progress and retention strategies to ensure learners achieve successful outcomes.
• Develop and implement curriculum plans that respond to learner, community, employer and local skills needs.
• Manage and develop staff performance through coaching, appraisals, professional development and recognition.
• Lead self-assessment and quality improvement planning processes across the department.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with employers, stakeholders, external agencies and progression partners.
• Ensure compliance with awarding organisation, internal quality assurance and external verification requirements.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive environment where all learners can access the curriculum and thrive.
• Champion trauma-informed approaches and positive behaviour support across the department.
• Support College recruitment, admissions, learner experience activities and community engagement events

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A degree or equivalent qualification.
• A sector-specific qualification in one or more of the following areas:
• SEN
• Health & Social Care
• Youth Work
• SEMH
• A recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed or equivalent).
• Level 2 English and Mathematics qualifications (or equivalent).
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience of leading staff performance and driving improvement.
• Experience of curriculum quality assurance and quality improvement processes.
• Strong understanding of learner progress, achievement measures and performance data.
• Experience managing projects and leading change successfully.
• Excellent communication, leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to motivate and inspire teams to deliver outstanding outcomes.
• Strong ICT skills, including Microsoft Office and management information systems

Rewards and Benefits at Hugh Baird College

When you join us, you become part of a caring and supportive community that prioritises employee wellbeing, development and recognition.

Up to 50 days annual leave, excluding bank holidays.

Flexible working opportunities are available where business needs allow.

Access health plans designed to support you and your family with treatment and wellbeing services.

Membership of the Teachers' Pension Scheme, one of the most competitive pension schemes available.

Extensive CPD opportunities designed to support career progression and personal growth.

Our "Get Recognised" scheme and annual staff celebration events ensure success is celebrated across the College.

Discounted access to our modern on-campus gym facilities.

Access to wellbeing initiatives, mental health support, staff activities and the Cycle to Work scheme.

Discounted rail and bus travel, interest-free season ticket loans and free on-campus parking.

Access to cashback offers and discounts from leading retailers.

Eligible employees may apply for a Blue Light Card and access exclusive discounts.

Hugh Baird College and University Centre is one of the UK's leading further education providers and one of only three colleges in the North West to hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating. Serving the Liverpool City Region, we provide a broad range of academic, vocational and higher education opportunities that help learners achieve their ambitions.

As a Mindful Employer, we are committed to building a supportive culture where wellbeing and mental health are valued and championed.

Vision: To be the best College in the country.

Mission: To inspire, challenge and transform lives.

Our values underpin everything we do:

• Excellence - We have high expectations of ourselves and each other.
• Accountability - We own what we do, learn from our mistakes and continuously improve.
• Innovation - We seize opportunities and are bold and dynamic in our approach.
• Collaboration - We are one team and work hard to serve each other well.
• Integrity - We are honest, transparent and do the right thing in the right way.

Hugh Baird College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment. This post will require an Enhanced DBS check, and applicants must disclose any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings in accordance with current guidance.

This is your opportunity to lead an outstanding curriculum area, inspire colleagues, and transform the lives of learners through exceptional education and support.

Apply today and help us shape the future of Learning for Life, Thornton College and Transitions Hub.