Assistant Manager: Vocational HMP

Dovetail & Slate; Dacorum; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Volunteer day each year

Pension scheme

Job summary

Dovetail & Slate is recruiting an Assistant Manager - Vocational to lead on-site at HMP The Mount. You will manage inductions, allocations, and conduct while delivering high-quality vocational curriculum across Motor Mechanics, P&D, Art, Music, Media, and PSD.

You will supervise staff, implement IQA/EQA processes, and contribute to SAR/QIP in line with EIF, ensuring inspection readiness and strong learner outcomes.

Qualifications

• Essential Level 5+ Teaching Qualification with Level 3 Maths and English.
• IQA qualification or willingness to achieve on appointment.
• Significant teaching leadership in FE/adult/prison education.
• Strong knowledge of EIF and QA mechanisms.
• Desirable Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager in custodial settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead education operations alongside the Education Manager and deputise when required.
• Oversee vocational curriculum delivery across trades and creative subjects.
• Drive quality assurance, observations, and learning walks.
• Analyse performance using management information systems to improve targets.
• Mentor staff through appraisals and CPD to foster high performance.

Skills

Leadership experience

Ofsted EIF knowledge

Prison education experience

Education

Level 5 Teaching Qualification

Level 3 Maths qualification

Level 3 English qualification

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Manager - Vocational

Location: HMP The Mount (Bovingdon, Hertfordshire)

Salary: From £35,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

The Opportunity

We have an exciting leadership opportunity for an Assistant Manager - Vocational to join the senior management team on-site at HMP The Mount. Working alongside the Education Manager, you will oversee and elevate the vocational curriculum-spanning Motor Mechanics, Painting & Decorating, Art, Music, Media, and Personal & Social Development (PSD)-fostering a high-performing teaching environment that delivers outstanding educational outcomes.

What You Will Be Doing

• Operational Leadership & Deputising: Support the Education Manager with day-to-day operations across the education department, managing learner inductions, allocations, and conduct, while stepping in to lead the department when required.
• Vocational Curriculum Management: Oversee delivery and continuous improvement across diverse trade and creative departments (e.g., Motor Mechanics, P&D, Art, Music, Media, PSD), ensuring qualifications align with employer expectations and awarding body standards.
• Quality Assurance & Performance: Lead internal quality assurance (IQA/EQA) processes, developmental observations, learning walks, and deep dives. Use MoJ management information systems to analyse performance and drive targets for recruitment, retention, and achievement.
• Staff Development & Coaching: Manage and mentor teaching and support staff through formal appraisals, probation reviews, and tailored CPD plans, fostering a supportive, high-performing culture.
• Inspection Readiness & Delivery: Contribute directly to the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) in line with Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF), while delivering cover teaching sessions when necessary.

What We Are Looking For

• Teaching Credentials: Essential Level 5+ Teaching Qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS, or equivalent) alongside Level 3 qualifications in both Maths and English.
• Quality Assurance: Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) qualification (or willingness to achieve upon appointment).
• Leadership Experience: Significant teaching experience with proven success in staff management, vocational curriculum oversight, and quality improvement within FE, adult learning, or prison education settings.
• Inspection Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and quality assurance mechanisms.
• Desirable Criteria: Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager qualification and prior experience within secure custodial environments.

Our Benefits Include

• 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Paid volunteering day each year
• Generous pension scheme & Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme & Holiday purchase scheme
• Enhanced Wedding Leave & Enhanced Maternity Scheme
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme & online wellbeing portal
• Access to hundreds of retail discounts via the Additions portal

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

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Because education matters.