Lecturer - Horticulture

Central Bedfordshire College; Biggleswade; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

45 days annual leave

Teacher’s Pension

Retail and Leisure Discounts

Professional development opportunities

Access to college courses

Job summary

Central Bedfordshire College is inviting applications for a Lecturer in Horticulture at Shuttleworth College, Old Warden. The role delivers City & Guilds, T Level, and RHS Level 2/3 programmes, combining practical and theory-based teaching to support student success.

The post requires a Level 3 Horticulture qualification (or higher), GCSE English and Maths, and a willingness to achieve a teaching qualification, with strong industry experience. CPD, and school-wide safeguarding are emphasized.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in Horticulture (or higher) with GCSE English and Maths.
• Willingness to achieve a teaching qualification, supported by recent industry experience.
• Strong practical horticultural knowledge and industry experience.
• Experience delivering teaching, training, or assessment activities.
• Strong communication, assessment, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, deliver, and assess high-quality horticulture programmes.
• Monitor learner progress and provide guidance and tutoring.
• Develop schemes of work and learning resources; contribute to QA.
• Maintain horticultural facilities and engage with industry partners.
• Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, and health & safety.

Skills

Horticulture knowledge

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Teaching qualification

Industry experience

Education

Level 3 Horticulture

Job description

Location

Biggleswade

Salary

Between £33,048 and £38,169 per annum DOE and Qualifications

Expires

23/10/2026 23:59

Role

Lecturer – Horticulture

Location (College)

Shuttleworth College – Old Warden

Salary/Benefits

Salary is between £33,048 and £38,169 per annum DOE and Qualifications, 45 days annual leave plus Bank holidays, Teacher’s Pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.

Note – Salary and annual leave entitlement is for that of a Qualified Lecturer.

Hours/Weeks

37 hours per week – 52 weeks per year

Contract Type

Permanent – Full Time

UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

About The Role

We are currently seeking a Lecturer in Horticulture to join our Land-based Education department at The Bedford College Group.

Responsibilities

• Teaching & Learning Delivery - Plan, prepare, deliver, and assess high-quality horticulture programmes across City & Guilds, T Level, and RHS Level 2 and 3 qualifications, using effective practical and theory-based teaching methods to support learner success.
• Learner Progress & Student Support - Monitor, assess, and report on learner progress, providing guidance, feedback, and personal tutoring to help students achieve their goals and progress into further study or employment.
• Curriculum Development & Quality Assurance - Develop schemes of work and learning resources, contribute to curriculum enhancement, and participate in quality assurance activities to maintain high educational standards.
• Industry Engagement & Resource Management - Maintain horticultural facilities and learning resources while developing strong employer and industry partnerships to enhance learner opportunities, employability, and curriculum relevance.
• Compliance & Professional Responsibilities - Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, and health & safety, while engaging in continuous professional development and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.

About You

• Qualifications & Industry Expertise - Level 3 qualification in Horticulture (or higher), GCSE English and Maths, and willingness to achieve a teaching qualification, supported by recent industry experience and strong practical horticultural knowledge.
• Teaching & Training Capability - Experience delivering teaching, training, or assessment activities, with the ability to provide engaging practical and theory-based learning across a range of horticultural programmes and learner levels.
• Communication & Learner Support Skills - Strong communication, assessment, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to support learner achievement, provide constructive feedback, and promote progression into further study or employment.
• Organisation & Professional Standards - Excellent organisational skills, reliability, and adaptability, with a learner-focused approach and the ability to maintain high standards of performance and professionalism.
• Flexibility & Continuous Development - Full driving licence, commitment to ongoing CPD and industry updating, and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to support curriculum delivery and organisational needs.

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

If you do not hold a recognised, qualified teaching qualification, please see attached PGCE CertEd information.

Interviews to be held: TBC

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
• Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
• Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
• Open and Caring - We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
• Nurturing Education Excellence - We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.

About Shuttleworth College

Shuttleworth College is set within the stunning location of Old Warden Park, near Biggleswade. It's a specialist land-based college, offering agricultural and environmental education, alongside animal sciences, equine studies and outdoor adventure all delivered within acres of parkland, farmland, lakes and woodland.

About The Bedford College Group

The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year. Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire:Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College andTreshamCollegein the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough;ShuttleworthCollege,a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for MotorsportalongsideSilverstonerace circuit.To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding our Students

The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy.

Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.