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Head of Department - Participation & Development

Hours: 35 Hours per week, Permanent full time, full year post

Salary: £47,432 per annum FTE

Closing Date: Thursday 13th August 2026 at 9am - (We may close the advert early if sufficient applications are received. So early applications are advised)

Interview Date: TBC

Start Date: ASAP (subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks)

We are looking for a Head of Participation and Development. Reporting directly to the Vice Principal for Study Programmes, this is an operational leadership role where you will lead a high performing team of Academic Coaches and be responsible for the vision, leadership and quality assurance of the service, ensuring it delivers an outstanding student experience and acts as a valued partner to every curriculum area.

Working collaboratively with Heads of Department, you will ensure the Participation and Development team provides an exceptional service that complements and enhances the curriculum, delivering high quality tutorials, enrichment, employability, Future Leaders, Advanced Skills and personal development programmes that enable every student to thrive. You will oversee the planning, timetabling, delivery and evaluation of all provision, ensuring sessions are engaging, relevant and consistently meet the needs of learners and curriculum teams alike.

You will champion a philosophy that places students at the centre of everything the service delivers, creating opportunities for learners to become more world aware, develop the skills, behaviours and values required for modern Britain, and build the confidence to progress successfully into higher education, apprenticeships or employment. Through data informed leadership, you will monitor performance, drive continuous improvement and ensure Academic Coaches provide outstanding academic guidance, personal support and progression coaching.

As the Head of Participation and Development, you will oversee the quality of tutorials, enrichment, employer engagement and wider skills development, ensuring the service is responsive, innovative and recognised across the College as a centre of excellence. You will foster strong partnerships with Heads of Department, curriculum teams, Student Experience and wider support services, ensuring seamless collaboration and a high quality, responsive service that supports learner success across the College.

You will be accountable for ensuring the Participation and Development service consistently delivers excellence, with clear performance measures, robust quality assurance and a culture of continuous improvement. Through effective leadership of people, resources and provision, you will ensure every curriculum area receives a professional, high quality service that enhances teaching, learning, student engagement and progression outcomes.

Whilst providing strategic leadership, you will also lead by example, undertaking the role of an Academic Coach when required, maintaining credibility through direct engagement with students and modelling the high standards of coaching, tutorial delivery and student support expected across the team. Through inspirational leadership, you will cultivate a culture of aspiration, participation, belonging and continuous improvement, ensuring Participation and Development becomes a defining strength of the College experience for every learner.

We are looking for someone who :

• Holds a Level 2 (equivalent) Qualification in Maths and English
• Enjoys a job with variety - in which every day feels different
• Is a skilled co-ordinator and leader
• Creates energy and excitement for learning
• Holds a degree
• Holds minimum level 4 PGCE qualification
• Is passionate about seeing young people do well

Benefits we offer include:

• 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

*qualifying period applies

Employment offers are subject to pre-employment checks including DBS, references, online checks and 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 Type: Permanent

Pay: £47,432.00-£53,373.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Free or subsidised travel
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Store discount

Work Location: In person