Head of Department - English, Maths & ESOL

Shipley College; Saltaire; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading further education institution located in Saltaire is seeking a dynamic Head of Department for English, Maths & ESOL to lead adult and apprenticeship programs. This role involves overseeing curriculum delivery, ensuring high-quality teaching and transforming the lives of adult students. The ideal candidate will possess a degree, teaching qualifications, and experience in community engagement. This position offers a salary range of £47,432 - £53,373 annually along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Enhanced Annual Leave

Enhanced Pension Schemes

Professional Development opportunities

Access to a free gym on site

Reduced cost train and bus travel

Access to free onsite car parks

Shopping discounts with discount app

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a team in Further Education.
• Proven track record of improving student outcomes.
• Ability to build strong community partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead a diverse curriculum team for adult learners.
• Ensure programs are inclusive and accessible.
• Champion high-quality teaching, learning, and assessment.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum development

Teaching English

Teaching Maths

Community engagement

Education

Degree Level education

L4+ Recognised Teaching Qualification

L4+ Subject specialist qualification in English, Maths or ESOL

Job description

Head of Department - English, Maths & ESOL (Remit: Adults and Apprenticeships)

Recruiter: Shipley College

Location: Saltaire, Shipley [West Yorkshire]

Salary: £47,432 - £53,373 per year

Posted: 12 Jan 2026 12:19

Closes: 02 Feb 2026 09:00

Reference: Head of Department - English, Maths & ESOL

Sector: Further Education

Job Level: Head of Specialism English, Mathematics

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Organisational Type: General Further Education College

Teacher Training: Teacher Training Not Offered

About the role

Are you a passionate and inspirational leader committed to transforming the lives of adult students and Apprentices?

Shipley College is seeking a dynamic Head of Department to lead our adult and Apprentice English, maths and ESOL provision—both in College and across community venues throughout the district.

This is a vital role in addressing local skills needs and widening participation, ensuring adults and apprentices gain the essential skills and confidence they need to access work, progress in their careers, achieve their full apprenticeship, and lead healthy, fulfilled and independent lives.

You will lead a diverse and high-performing curriculum team delivering adult skills courses, community learning, Tailored Learning (first-steps provision), and functional skills for apprenticeships. With compassion and ambition, you will ensure our programmes are inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of our local communities, particularly those who face barriers to education or have been furthest from learning.

You will champion high-quality teaching, learning and assessment; forge strong partnerships with community organisations; and help your students build the foundations that open doors to employment, financial stability and lifelong learning.

Working closely with the Vice Principal Curriculum and Quality, this is an operational leadership role where your decisions will shape the lives of adult learners and apprentices across our district. If you have a strong track record of delivering high-quality teaching and learning, understand the power of education to transform lives, and are ready to lead with purpose and impact, we would love to hear from you.

Join us in creating accessible learning pathways that strengthen our communities and empower students to thrive.

Benefits

• Enhanced Annual Leave
• Enhanced Pension Schemes
• Professional Development opportunities
• Access to a free gym on site
• Reduced cost train and bus travel* (qualifying period applies)
• Access to free onsite car parks
• Shopping discounts with discount app

What we’re looking for

• Can work with community delivery partners, businesses and business leaders in the Bradford City region to deliver the training they need - able to connect with them with authenticity and currency
• Can inspire colleagues and students to become their best - motivating and challenging those in their care to make rapid progress
• Is bold and tenacious in setting high standards - able to support those around them to meet expectations
• Has a constructive and collaborative approach to teamwork - with both internal and external stakeholders - and is centered by our mission to deliver a high value learning experience to our students
• Is an ideas person, with the ability to put them into practice and operationalise strategic direction

Employment offers are subject to pre-employment checks, including DBS, references, online checks and the right to work. Shipley College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

The College is actively committed to a policy of equality of opportunity for all through education and therefore encourages applications from all regardless of age, disability, economic status, gender, race, religion and beliefs or sexual orientation.

Job Description

JOB TITLE

Head of Department

RESPONSIBLE TO

Vice Principal - Curriculum and Quality

INTRODUCTION

The following information is provided to assist staff joining the College to understand and appreciate the work content of their post and the role they are to play in the organisation. However, the following points should be noted: Whilst every endeavour has been made to outline all the duties and responsibilities of the post, a document such as this does not permit every item to be specified in detail. Broad headings, therefore, may have been used below, in which case all the usual associated routines are naturally included in the job description. Colleagues should not refuse to undertake work which is not specified on this form, but they should record any additional duties they are required to perform, and these will be taken into account when salaries are reviewed. Shipley College is an Equal Opportunities Employer and requires its employees to comply with all current equality policies in terms of equal opportunity for employment. Shipley College is committed, where possible, to making any necessary reasonable adjustments to the job role and the working environment that would enable access to employment opportunities for disabled job applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To deliver an outstanding adult and apprentice learning experience that raises aspirations, builds essential skills, and enables learners to progress into work, further education and healthier, more confident lives—through high-quality English, maths and ESOL provision across adult skills, community learning, Tailored Learning and apprenticeships.

To lead, inspire and support staff to deliver consistently high-quality teaching, learning and assessment that enable adult learners to achieve their qualifications and develop the wider skills, confidence, and behaviours needed to thrive at home, at work and in their communities.

To provide clear strategic leadership in the planning, delivery and continuous improvement of adult English, maths and ESOL, ensuring programmes are inclusive, accessible and responsive to local skills needs, and that learners make strong, measurable progress.

To champion community-based education that widens participation, removes barriers to learning and supports those furthest from education to re-engage and succeed, contributing to the College’s mission to improve lives and strengthen our district.

To work collaboratively as part of the Shipley College leadership team, contributing to the College’s vision, values and success with a positive, solutions-focused approach and unwavering commitment to adult learners.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership of Adult English, Maths, ESOL and Apprenticeship FSkills

• Provide strategic leadership for adult English, maths and ESOL across college-based, community-based and employer-based provision.
• Ensure programmes meet local, regional and national skills priorities, supporting adults to gain the qualifications and confidence needed for employment, progression and improved life outcomes, and supporting apprentices to achieve the maths and English qualifications they need to achieve their full apprenticeship.
• Lead the growth of adult provision by identifying new opportunities, developing new courses, and expanding delivery in external venues to widen participation and engage those furthest from learning.
• Oversee Tailored Learning (first-steps provision), ensuring programmes build learners’ confidence, digital skills, language skills and motivation to progress into further learning or work.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality English and maths for apprentices, supporting learners to achieve timely and successful outcomes.

Community Learning, Partnership Development and Widening Participation

• Build and sustain strong partnerships with community organisations, local authorities, voluntary groups, employers, DWP and other stakeholders to support outreach, referrals and progression.
• Lead the development of community-based provision in priority neighbourhoods, reducing barriers to learning and increasing access for adults with low skills, low confidence, or limited prior education.
• Promote adult learning as a tool for social mobility, improved wellbeing and community cohesion, ensuring programmes support individuals to access work, secure better jobs and live healthier lives.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to design and deliver a curriculum that is responsive, inclusive and relevant to community needs.

Leadership of Teaching, Learning and Assessment

• Lead and support staff to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and assessment across all adult programmes, ensuring lessons are inclusive, engaging and ambitious for all learners.
• Promote the effective use of digital tools, adaptive learning platforms and tailored resources to support adult learners at different stages of their learning journey.
• Ensure staff embed employability, wellbeing and life skills within English, maths and ESOL to strengthen learners’ confidence, independence and future opportunities.
• Provide ongoing coaching and professional development to teaching teams, ensuring consistent quality and continuous improvement in adult pedagogy.

Curriculum, Quality, Performance and Compliance

• Oversee curriculum planning, timetabling, workforce deployment and resource management to ensure efficient and effective delivery across all adult provision.
• Monitor attendance, engagement, retention and achievement across all programmes, implementing robust intervention strategies to support learner progress.
• Use data intelligently to identify gaps, evaluate performance and implement targeted improvement actions.
• Ensure full compliance with funding rules, external and internal audit requirements, Ofsted expectations, safeguarding standards and adult learning quality frameworks.

Continuous Improvement and College Contribution

• Lead the department’s full self-assessment process, working collaboratively with staff to review curriculum performance, identify strengths to build on, and determine priority areas for development.
• Lead departmental Performance Reviews and present departmental business planning to SLT, ensuring curriculum planning, staffing and resources align with improvement priorities and the needs of learners.
• Produce a clear and ambitious Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) informed by the self-assessment process, learner outcomes and strategic objectives.
• Monitor progress against the QIP throughout the year, ensuring actions are implemented effectively, reviewed regularly, and lead to measurable improvements in teaching, learning, assessment, attendance and learner achievement.
• Contribute to cross-college initiatives, projects and events that promote adult learning, strengthen community engagement and support the visibility of the College’s adult education offer.

GENERAL

• To demonstrate a positive commitment to the maintenance of a culture of continuous quality improvement, assurance and innovation.
• To be aware of the responsibilities under the provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) in terms of the post holder’s own safety and the effects of their actions on colleagues, students and visitors.
• To be responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young learners and vulnerable adults the post-holder is responsible for or comes into contact with.
• To undertake mandatory training and staff development/CPD training as required by the nature of this post and the range of duties described within this job description.
• To use IT as designated appropriate to the nature of the role.
• To act in accordance with the College’s expectations as set out in the Staff Code of Conduct and contract of employment.
• To undertake such other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as may reasonably be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Please ensure that you address in turn, each of these criteria in your application by providing evidence of how you meet the relevant criteria.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Hold Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy (or equivalent) – must be evidenced at the interview with original certificates.
• Educated to Degree Level.
• L4+ Recognised Teaching Qualification.
• L4+ Subject specialist qualification in English, maths or ESOL.
• Has experience in successfully managing and leading a team to improve quality, the student experience and their outcomes within a Further Education setting.
• Experience of managing across a range of different provision types including Apprenticeships and Adult Skills courses including community based and employer based learning, Tailored Learning, project / commercial courses.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing effective strategies to raise standards and achievement in English, maths, and ESOL provision for adult learners and apprentices.
• Comprehensive understanding of English and maths policies within the Further Education and Skills sector, including current curriculum requirements, funding models, curriculum offer, effective practice and national reforms.
• Understanding of local, regional and national priorities, including skills needs, reforms and different funding types.
• Experience of using student performance data (attendance, retention, progress, achievement) to drive improvement, management of people to achieve targets and inform targeted interventions.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Leadership and Management Qualification.
• Experienced at planning and reviewing curriculum through Performance Reviews and Business Planning, including experience at preparing Self Assessment Reports and Quality Improvement plans that deliver improvements.
• Oversee tracking and monitoring to ensure student progress and achievement is outstanding and that students are retained, achieve and progress to positive destinations.
• Experience in successfully supporting, developing and training staff – including coaching, mentoring and delivery to individuals, small groups and large groups.
• A proven track record of engaging staff in CPD that supports pride in practice and outstanding outcomes for students.
• Experience of preparing for and successfully leading a team through Ofsted inspection.
• Experience of efficient budget management.
• Commitment to own ongoing Continuous Professional Development.
• Willingness to work variable hours when necessary to meet the requirements of the post.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Experience of ensuring inclusive practice that enables Equality, celebrates Diversity and supports students with a range of needs.
• Demonstrable commitment to safeguarding, student wellbeing and creating a positive, trauma-informed learning environment.
• Knowledge and experience of Safeguarding and the PREVENT agenda.
• Clean driving licence and access to a car with business use insurance.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Shipley College is a wonderful place to start (or to continue) your career and we are delighted that you are considering completing an application for a post with us.

Shipley College is a small, friendly place that really cares about every person that comes through the door and we pride ourselves on giving every student the individual support they deserve.

Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire, it is a great place to study and easy to get to by bus, train and car.

Our practical, vocational and work-related courses include Apprenticeships, full-time and part-time courses across a range of Departments. I am delighted that our Student Survey results and employer feedback continue to be extremely positive as we provide a fantastic learning environment for all our students.

We have a fabulous team of colleagues