Head of Quality and Curriculum

Acorn Training is a highly successful, skills, justice, employment and health provider with strong corporate values and inclusive ethos – winner of The World Skills UK Social Inclusion and Diversity Network of the Year award.

You will join us at our most exciting time, with strong plans to double the size of the business each year over the next 5 years, spearheading opportunities to get The United Kingdom back to work and improving the skills of the workforce; enabling strong and sustainable future careers for all.

Due to contract growth and expansion, we are delighted to advertise for a Head of Quality and Curriculum.

Job Title

Head of Quality and Curriculum

Base

Midlands

Reporting to

Assistant Director for Skills

Key Responsibilities

• Support directors to coordinate the completion of a comprehensive Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)
• Analyse data and trends across Apprenticeship, Adult Learning and devolved skills contracts to identify improvement areas
• Manage a comprehensive observation of teaching learning and assessment programme internally and with subcontractors
• Coordinate and deliver comprehensive continued professional development to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment collaboratively with HR and subcontractors
• Coordinate strategies to enhance staff wellbeing collaboratively with HR
• Line manage the lead IQA to coordinate all EQA activity
• Coordinate the Education and Training and Business Skills programmes, including the monitoring of all internal apprentices
• Lead information learning technology (ILT) to develop the practice of teachers’ use of technology in the learning environment

Job Details

• Monitor practice externally from a range of sources, such as, Ofsted Education Inspection Framework, ESFA Apprenticeship Accountability Framework, AELP, ERSA, IEP, QAR data to inform internal practice.
• Effectively manage funded provision within a designated portfolio of qualifications and standards
• Effectively manage human and physical resources to ensure that provision is delivered to at least grade 2 Ofsted standards, including observation and scrutiny of delivery
• Effectively manage relationships to ensure the company’s reputation is upheld in all circumstances
• Support and develop staff towards achieving continued professional development requirements, in particular, the development of the craft of teaching
• Performance manage all staff in line with service delivery requirements and Key Performance Indicators
• Support senior managers to develop the business and achieve business growth targets in line with the Strategic Plan, including support with bid writing and partnerships
• Coordinate the process of creating comprehensive programme and department level self-assessment and quality improvement planning and post-inspection action plans; ensuring a culture of continuous improvement
• Complete monthly quality and performance reports and attend monthly management meetings
• Use a range of data sources and qualitative information sources to effectively analyse and make judgements about trends in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment
• Manage relationships with awarding organisations to ensure centre and scheme approval is maintained
• Work collaboratively with Human Resources to develop CPD and staff wellbeing plans that drive forward key objectives, such as Talent Management, Staff Retention and Staff Wellbeing
• Support staff on a 1-2-1 and small group basis that require intensive action planning and skills development
• Undertake work scrutiny audits, in line with an audit plan that contributes towards ISO9001, ensuring all aspects of the learning journey are effective and weaknesses are identified and rapidly improved
• Deliver training, support and/or information, advice and guidance sessions to cover absent staff and holidays if required
• Effectively engage with local employers to ensure contractual targets are met and business development opportunities are maximised, including the engagement of Levy employers
• Ensure that policies with regards to Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection are adhered to
• Maintain a positive and professional company image at all times
• Support the company Quality Policy and Information Security priorities
• Support the company’s equality of opportunity statement at all times
• Work safely, supporting the company Health and Safety Policy
• Perform any additional requests in line with the key responsibilities of this role

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications/Skills

• Minimum Level 5 teaching learning and assessment qualification, such as Cert Ed, DTLLS or Diploma in Education and Training
• Level 5 or above subject specialism
• Level 3 CAVA and Level 4 TAQA or equivalent
• GCSE (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics
• Level 2 IT Qualification, such as ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence)
• Full Driving Licence

Desirable Qualifications/Skills

• Level 5 learning and development or leadership and management qualification
• Master of Education (MEd) or similar
• First Aid at Work Certificate
• IOSH Health and Safety Qualification
• Budgetary and profit and loss skills
• People management skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Essential Knowledge

• Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF)
• Barriers to learning and employment
• How to support clients and promote independence
• Support strategies for various learner specific needs
• Awarding organisation procedures and requirements
• Management of ESFA and/or DWP contracts

Desirable Knowledge

• Apprenticeship Accountability Framework
• ISO9001, ISO27001 and Matrix Standard requirements
• English and maths contextualisation and embedding of skills development within vocational learning
• Delivery of ESF contracts

Essential Wider Skills

• The ability to work under pressure in a highly performance driven organisation
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team
• The ability to work accurately and actively programme solving
• The ability to reflect on your own performance to support quality improvement
• The ability to manage time effectively and plan your own work load
• The ability work with little supervision or guidance
• The ability to maintain one’s own motivation when things are getting tough
• The ability to be proactive
• The ability to understand one’s own limitations within the role

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £37,000.00-£42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Referral programme
• Sick pay
• Store discount
• Wellness programme
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Diploma of Higher Education (preferred)

Experience:

• Education quality assurance and improvement: 5 years (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Staffordshire, ST1 1DL

Reference ID: HQC-Skills