Programme Manager

LITTLE GATE FARM; Hastings; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Little Gate College in Hastings is seeking a Programme Manager to lead and coordinate Future Ready and Aspire teaching provision, ensuring high-quality curriculum delivery, recruitment, retention and progress across sites in East Sussex.

You will act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, oversee NCFE exam coordination, timetable approvals and staff development, while modelling Little Gate values and ensuring safeguarding standards and Ofsted-aligned practices.

Qualifications

• Professional teaching qualification and qualified teacher status.
• Experience in safeguarding and student welfare practices.
• Ability to coordinate multi-site educational programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate curriculum development and assessment planning.
• Be Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and undertake required training.
• Coordinate Functional Skills exam processes and NCFE registrations.
• Oversee attendance, timetabling and staff workload planning.
• Lead staff meetings and support development of a positive team culture.

Skills

Curriculum development

Teaching management

Safeguarding

Staff mentoring

Communication

Education

Professional teaching qualification

Strong Maths & English GCSEs

Tools

Office 365

Job description

Job title:

Programme Manager

Main purpose of job:

To lead, coordinate and support the Future Ready and Aspire teaching provision at Little Gate College, ensuring high-quality curriculum delivery, effective student recruitment, retention, progress and achievement, and a positive student experience through robust assessment, target setting and quality assurance.

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exemptions) Order 1975 applies to this post. Disclosure and Barring Clearance is required prior to employment to this post.

Position reports to:

Head of College

Staff who will report to this job title:

Job Coaches, as directed by the Head of College

Location:

Your usual place of work will be at the Little Gate College facility at The Bridge Community Centre, 361 Priory Rd, Hastings TN34 3NW. This role also includes a requirement to travel for the proper performance of duties. Our services cover a wide geographical area across East Sussex; Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne and Rother and you will travel between sites and placements, community-based locations, employer and stakeholder premises, meetings and events in the course of your work.

Other work locations may also include but are not limited to other offices or branches of the Charity and any agreed remote working location (which could include your home).

Salary:

£33,000 per annum

Usual hours of work will be 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day, Monday – Friday. Mandatory attendance at CPD training sessions, usually delivered around the end of August each year (dates to be confirmed annually) is included in these hours.

On occasion you may be required to schedule work outside of these hours and days (weekend, early morning and evening work) by mutual agreement with your line lead.

In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to adjust or exceed your normal working hours in order to meet the requirements of your job.

Probationary period:

3 months

Holiday Entitlement:

5.6 weeks per annum (pro rata) inclusive of bank and public holidays

Annual leave is to be taken outside of college term time during academic holidays wherever possible.

Contract type:

Permanent, full-time

Safeguarding requirements:

All employees and volunteers, regardless of their posts, share in the responsibility for protecting our work trainees, young rangers and students, keeping them safe from harm whilst they are attending Little Gate and for reporting concerns about any person’s welfare and safety.

DBS requirements:

Child and Adult Workforce, Enhanced with Barred list check

Plus any Teacher and other relevant checks

Main tasks of job:

• Lead, coordinate and support staff in developing an ambitious curriculum, schemes of work, lesson plans, RARPA processes, Skills Builder delivery, assessment and NCFE Exams schedules.
• Be Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and undertake all relevant training required.
• Support the coordination of the Functional Skills examinations process, including NCFE registrations, exam scheduling, access arrangements/exemptions, invigilation arrangements, submission requirements and compliance with awarding body deadlines.
• Lead education colleagues, job coaches and wider staff to review, plan and maintain paperwork that supports high‑quality education delivery, Ofsted expectations, Gatsby Benchmarks and effective placement practice.
• Promote Little Gate values of being Ambitious, Respectful and Compassionate with staff, students and stakeholders.
• Be accountable for ensuring high levels of student attendance, accurate register completion and timely responses to non‑attendance.
• Prepare course and staff timetables for authorisation by the Head of College.
• Direct health and safety requirements across programme activities.
• Monitor student progress, coordinate reports, set improvement targets and communicate with all relevant parties.
• Oversee tutorials supporting academic, employment, personal and social development, including British Values and safeguarding priorities.
• Use national benchmarks and college data to set achievement targets and contribute to value‑added performance reviews.
• Support college staff to create opportunities for students to develop literacy and numeracy skills across all areas of our programmes.
• Working with the Head of College and Business Manager to ensure students are enrolled, registered for qualifications and recorded correctly on the MIS system within required timeframes.
• Coordinate college staff to regularly review and create Individual Learning Plans and set challenging targets for students.
• Liaise with Teachers, HLTAs, LSAs and relevant colleagues to provide tailored support in line with EHCP requirements and outcomes, including exam arrangements, access arrangements and any agreed exemptions.
• Attend multi‑agency meetings and present reports or case studies as required.
• Support marketing, social media, open days and promotional events for Little Gate College provision.
• Maintain accurate records using systems that support MIS and business management processes.
• Line manage and mentor team members with support from the Head of College, including recruitment, induction and staff development.
• Lead team meetings and actively promote development of a positive team culture of praise, feedback and open communication.
• Plan, organise and coordinate employability activities and work placements to support progression.
• Work with the Employer Engagement team, employers and stakeholders to develop and deliver a high‑quality curriculum.
• Line‑lead, support, coordinate and monitor Job Coaches and student work placements alongside the Client and Employer Engagement Coordinator.
• Organise and lead EHCP Consultations, Annual Review and Phased Transfer Review meetings, including documentation and follow‑up actions.
• Work alongside the class teachers to share the role of Designated Teacher for Little Gate College and lead Personal Education Plan meetings for children we care for (LAC).
• Cover for staff absences in job coaching and/or teaching as required.

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties, and different tasks may be required as necessitated by the changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.

Person Specification;

Essential Criteria;

• Professional teaching qualification, qualified teacher status, teaching degree or equivalent relevant qualification.
• Comprehensive IT skills, including confident use of Office 365.
• Clear understanding of student welfare, safeguarding responsibilities and best practice in maintaining a safe learning environment.
• Relevant sector, education or specialist subject knowledge and experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a high‑performing team and role model good practice.
• Experience of supporting students with SEND.
• Experience of teaching or embedding functional skills in English and Maths.
• Experience of, or willingness to be trained in, coordinating Functional Skills examination processes, including working with awarding bodies such as NCFE.
• Strong organisational skills, self‑motivation and ability to use initiative within a structured framework.
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, with staff, students, families, employers and professionals.
• Ability to keep clear, accurate records for monitoring, quality and audit purposes.
• Commitment to Little Gate values, policies and procedures.
• Car driver with access to a car for work purposes, including placement visits and cover needs.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training and work flexibly, including occasional home working.
• Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.

Desirable Criteria;

• Knowledge or experience of Makaton, PECS or other communication approaches.
• Knowledge, experience or qualification in careers information, advice and guidance (CIAG).
• Knowledge or experience of risk assessments.
• Experience of working in Further Education.
• Training in Systematic Instruction (TSI) or Supported Employment.
• Knowledge of health and safety within the workplace.
• Willingness to attend off‑site events such as careers fairs, meetings and training.
• Basic knowledge of welfare benefits.
• Understanding of a wide variety of work settings and job roles.
• First aid qualification or willingness to train.
• Experience of the new Ofsted framework (EIF)

Qualifications;

Strong Maths and English skills equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (Grade C) or above, demonstrated through qualifications, training, or relevant experience.

Professional teaching qualification, qualified teacher status, teaching degree or equivalent relevant qualification.

Important Information

Application deadline:

25th October2026 (23:00 hrs)

Interview dates:

4th November 2026

Our Commitment

Little Gate is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. Please see our application form for more information regarding guaranteed interviews for candidates choosing to share that they have a disability.

Our application and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.

Little Gate implements safeguarding protocols in all aspects of their working practices and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced and barred DBS check, and this may include social media checks. For further details please contact Sally Moseley via email at [e-mail].

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exemptions) Order 1975 applies to this post. Disclosure and Barring Clearance is required prior to employment to this post.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Please note, due to a high volume of applications, we are not always able to feedback if you have been deemed unsuccessful upon review. We apologise in advance should you not be contacted.