Head of Curriculum - Equine (Maternity Cover)

North Kent College; England; On-site; GBP 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A further education college is seeking a Head of Curriculum to lead the Equine curriculum team. This role involves ensuring high-quality delivery, managing a diverse team, and supporting student achievement. Candidates must have a degree-level qualification and relevant industry experience in Equine, alongside teaching qualifications. The position offers 42 days’ annual leave, free parking, and access to onsite facilities.

Benefits

42 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Enrolled onto Teachers' Pension Scheme

Free parking

Access to onsite facilities

Qualifications

• Proven record of delivering teaching and learning at a good or outstanding level.
• Experience in curriculum planning and development.
• Relevant industry experience in Equine.

Responsibilities

• Lead curriculum delivery and support student success.
• Manage a team of Equine Lecturers and Instructors.
• Ensure team prepares, teaches, and assesses across various levels.

Skills

Team leadership

Excellent communication

Curriculum planning

Education

Degree-level qualification

Full Level 5 teaching qualification (e.g., Cert Ed/PGCE)

Job description

Overview

Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday), 52 weeks per annum.

Contract: 15-month fixed term contract, commencing Monday 8 December 2025.

Salary: £52,042 per annum.

Location: The role is based at North Kent College\'s Hadlow campus (Kent, TN11 0AL).

About North Kent College

North Kent College (including Hadlow College) is proudly rated as an Ofsted Good provider, with Outstanding learner behaviours and attitudes (April 2024). With four campuses across Kent and 4,000 students, we strive to equip the young people who study here with an inclusive and innovative education experience to enhance their future career prospects, which, as noted by Ofsted, is supported through our high-quality, industry standard facilities. Each staff member plays a key part in delivering the success of our learners\' experience, and we want those who join our curriculum and support teams to share our passion in achieving this.

If you have a passion for working with horses and young people, and want to inspire the next generation, please read on as we have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Curriculum to join and lead our Equine curriculum team on a full time, fixed term basis.

Role and responsibilities

Working in collaboration with the Assistant Principal, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of a high-quality curriculum and provide the necessary support to help all learners excel and achieve their potential in our vibrant teaching and learning environment. The role also involves supporting the Assistant Principal in effectively leading and managing the department to meet the College\'s strategic objectives, behaviours, and targets outlined in the Strategic Plan.

With an annual teaching requirement, you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge to unlock potential whilst guiding our learners through their studies. You will work as part of the curriculum team to create and deliver lessons across a range of qualification levels, inspiring achievement and the best possible outcomes. The successful candidate will be a team player, an excellent communicator, and able to maintain a proactive approach to managing deadlines, whilst retaining a high standard of delivery.

The Equine centre at Hadlow has extensive facilities, including two indoor arenas, a large outdoor arena and stabling for 64 horses. Teaching resources also include a horse walker, mechanical horse, anatomy models, tack and equipment for a range of disciplines, and an extensive range of scientific and practical teaching resources. We welcome regular guest speakers and experts from industry to enrich the department delivery and learner experience, these have included vets, nutritionists, emergency services, and the British Groom\'s Association.

You will be leading a diverse team of Equine Lecturers, Riding Instructors and Equine Grooms to provide excellent teaching, learning and assessment opportunities. As part of the role, you will ensure the team prepare, teach, and assess at a variety of qualification levels. These include vocational BTEC qualifications at Level 1 to Level 3, as well as a Higher Education qualification (Foundation Degree) with our partnership with the University of Greenwich. In addition, you will support the academic team to facilitate study tours to enhance the student study programme with previous trips including visits to Badminton Horse Trials, Lingfield Racecourse, New Forest, animal rescue and veterinary centres. As part of the role, you will work closely with industry professionals to enhance the curriculum provision and employability of equine learners.

Qualifications and experience

To excel in this position, you will need a degree-level qualification and relevant industry experience in Equine along with a full Level 5 (or higher) teaching qualification (e.g., Cert Ed/PGCE). Ideally, you will have experience in curriculum planning and development, and a proven record of delivering teaching and learning at a consistently good or outstanding level, and the ability to lead and manage a skilled, professional team to achieve outstanding results.

Benefits and terms

In return, we\'ll give you 42 days\' annual leave plus bank holidays, and you\'ll be enrolled onto the Teachers\' Pension Scheme. You\'ll also benefit from free parking and have access to a range of onsite facilities.

How to apply and key dates

For a full job description and to apply, please visit our staff vacancies page (either via North Kent College or Hadlow College).

The closing date for applications is Sunday 28th September 2025. Interviews will take place Tuesday 7th October 2025.

Safeguarding and commitment to children

North Kent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all staff have a responsibility to share and maintain this commitment. In line with the requirements of \"Keeping Children Safe in Education\", appropriate safeguarding checks (including an enhanced DBS check) will be undertaken on all individuals selected for appointment. Posts at the College, a specified establishment where the work gives opportunity for contact with children, are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with \"Keeping Children Safe in Education\", shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to complete and submit prior to their interview a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Further guidance / information from the Ministry of Justice can be found on GOV.UK.