Deputy Head of School - Vocational & Technical Studies

The School of Vocational & Technical Studies consists of several Sections: Creative Industries, Construction, Care, Salon Services, Skills for Employment, Sport and IT. The School is mainly responsible for 16-18 years Programme of Study delivery but also delivers Access to HE courses, a selection of AEB funded programmes as well as HNC and HND programmes. The delivery consists of Level 1 to Level 5 provision.

As Deputy Head of School, you will combine leadership and management of several curriculum areas with being a member of the management team within the School and a wider operational role for the College. You will be responsible for the effective management of VTS delivery, including oversight of recruitment, enrolment, retention, attendance, achievement and liaise with the Head of School linked to budgeting, performance, and partnership management.

You will provide innovative strategic leadership, operational delivery and direction to the planning and development of provision of a high standard that meets the needs of various funding bodies. The Deputy Head of School will ensure that the curriculum is flexible, agile and responsive to learners’ needs by being well informed of local and regional skills, employment priorities and national policies. You will further ensure that monitoring of information on standards and the quality of provision is reviewed and acted upon to eliminate the risk of non-compliance with statutory timescales and requirements.

We’d like you to hold relevant professional qualifications as well as a recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, DTLSS, DET etc). We’d like you to have a strong awareness of future development that influence the curriculum, in particular the needs of the local and national economy and an in depth understanding of how to plan, budget, resource and monitor the curriculum.

We’d also like out Deputy Head of School to have a thorough understanding of what makes for excellent evidence-based teaching, learning and assessment and how to monitor it effectively. You should have proven experience of effective teamwork both as the leader of a team of staff and as part of a team and have the skills to be able to identify where intervention is needed, developing a plan to secure improvement and achieving the target outcome.

Subject to a cost of living review from 1 August, the successful candidate will be eligible for any subsequent increase in salary.

Closing date for the return of completed applications is 29th May 2024

The benefits package includes generous annual leave of 37 days plus up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year as well as an additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees’ physical and mental health. There is an excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme), subsidised sports facilities and professional development and training plus a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

The South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, which merged on 1 August 2017. South Thames Colleges Group is one of London’s largest providers of post-16 education and training and is an ongoing and significant contributor to its local communities. We aim to put students’ success at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for hard-working and collaborative people who can join our team and help challenge our students to progress and achieve.

When you click on 'Apply’, you will be forwarded to the application page which sits on a platform hosted by an external partner called Blue Octopus who support STCG throughout the recruitment process.