Tameside College
Head of Foundation Pathways
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Head of Department (HOD) for Foundation Pathways
We are looking for a Head of Department (HOD) for our Foundation Pathways to support the development, quality improvement and sustainable growth of Springboard, NEET, Subcontracting and 14-16 provision across the College, ensuring curriculum delivery is responsive to learner needs, local priorities, progression pathways and College strategic objectives.
Do you have an innovative approach to leading a team? Is the learner journey a key priority in your role? Are you an inspirational leader who is looking for your next challenge and an opportunity to improve the lives and futures of the young people of Tameside? If the answer is yes, this may be the post for you.
As a HOD, you have access to the Teacher Pensions scheme and enjoy some fantastic benefits whilst working for the college, i.e., Costa Coffee on site, free on-site Gym at Beaufort Road with PT sessions, onsite bakery products at Tameside One, The Restaurant and salon at Tameside One (with fantastic discounts) to name but a few. Of course, we offer retail discounts, cycle to work, great holiday allowances and an employee saving club via Manchester Credit Union.
Role Overview
You will lead a very strong team of professional teachers across a variety of provisions across the Springboard, NEET, subcontracting and 14-16 provision.
You will develop and implement policies and procedures that support the quality improvement of the area, you will inspirationally lead members of a team to deliver appropriate and engaging curricula ensuring the sharing of good practice wherever possible.
Requirements
You will bring enthusiasm, resilience and a highly motivated approach to leading Foundation Pathways, with recent experience of teaching and leading provision for learners with a diverse range of starting points, needs and aspirations. You will have a strong track record of improving learner engagement, attendance, achievement and progression, particularly for young people who may require a more personalised pathway into further education, training or employment.
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You will have a detailed understanding of curriculum design and development within Further Education, including Foundation Learning, 14-16 provision, re-engagement and NEET programmes, and progression pathways towards Entry Level, Level 1 and beyond. You will understand the importance of designing ambitious, flexible and inclusive programmes that develop English and maths, employability, personal development and the behaviours learners need to progress successfully.
About Us
Tameside College has an excellent reputation and this is a real opportunity for you to make a difference in people’s lives. We’re based in Ashton-Under-Lyne Greater Manchester in a diverse and vibrant further education college, with a sixth form centre, that offers a wide range of course including A level and advanced level vocational study programmes, Apprenticeships and adult courses up to degree Level. We aim to give all our students an exceptional learning experience.
We believe in excellence and this is underpinned throughout the college with high expectations, a professional and inspirational working environment (as part of the Vision Tameside £100 million+ accommodation strategy) and outstanding teaching and learning. We also believe that attending college is about more than achieving a qualification, we aim to give learners every opportunity to develop their full potential in a motivated, inspirational, supportive and friendly environment.
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Safeguarding
Tameside College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners and expects all staff to share this commitment. Employment at Tameside College is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Check via the Disclosure and Barring Service and any post in regulated activity will also be subject to an additional barred list check. Tameside College will meet the costs associated with this.
Please note Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 guidance requires us to carry out an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates. This is to enable us to identify any incidents or issues which we might want to explore at interview with you. Once shortlisting has taken place, this search will be carried out for all candidates who are invited to attend an interview.
Application Process
Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive we are unfortunately not able to respond to each applicant. If you have not been called for interview within 3 weeks of the closing date, you should assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.
You will be experienced at inspirationally leading curriculum, be a strong team player and possess excellent communication skills.
Come join us on our journey to outstanding!
Subject to the volume of applications we may decide to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date.
Recruitment Agencies
We are not utilising the service of recruitment agencies for this vacancy and will accept direct applications only. Unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.
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