Location: Please note, this role will be based across the different Orchard Hill College regions, and travel between sites will be required
Starting: January 2026 or sooner if possible
Salary: £55,490-£70,843 per annum inclusive of London Weighting Allowance (Lecturer and Management Pay Scale, Spine Points 19 – 29)
Orchard Hill College (OHC) is an Outstanding Specialist College (Ofsted, April 2025) offering life-changing learning opportunities to young people and adults with a range of special education needs and/or disabilities. We operate vibrant community-based College Centres across London and Surrey, where committed specialist teams deliver a variety of programmes designed to meet the diverse needs of our students.
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to join our leadership team as
Deputy Head of College
for Work Based Learning (WBL). In this pivotal role, you will play a key part in shaping and driving the College's strategic vision for employment pathways. Working closely with the Director of Work Based Learning, you will have a peripatetic presence across our college regions, ensuring consistent excellence in delivery and alignment with our mission. As Deputy Head, you will also provide vital leadership and operational support, deputising for the Director when required and contributing to the continued growth and success of our work-based learning provision.
Key Responsibilities:
• Manage a high-quality educational environment for students on work based learning programmes, including functional skills, with barriers to learning including special educational needs and disabilities including, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, and Autistic Spectrum Disorder
• Ensure the college sustains its outstanding Ofsted rating.
• Responsible for the safeguarding of young adults
• Ensure that the college centres meet their statutory duties as outlined in the SEND Code of Practice.
• Keep abreast of developments within education and the special needs sector at local, national, and international level, in particular to employment and careers development.
• Represent the College on local authority, commissioning groups and other stakeholder forums such as the supported internship steering groups and SEND employment forums
• Responsible for the management of all qualifications for students across the college
• Lead on the Management and control of risks.
Key Requirements:
• Diploma in Education and Training or equivalent
• QTS/QTLS or equivalent
• Proven ability to lead on and model exemplary teaching practice and develop high quality coaching and training across centre.
• An outstanding teacher with proven ability to demonstrate and lead outstanding classroom practice and innovating curriculum development and implementation.
• Evidence of successful experience as a manager in one or more settings, especially specialist SEND settings.
• Comprehensive and up to date knowledge of current statutory and compliance matters and regional and local landscapes, policy, and legislation. Ability to interpret and advise effectively.
• Communicate a clear vision, ethos, and strategy to a range of audiences and stakeholders, including outside the Centre and College.
Orchard Hill College is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:
Rewards & Benefits:
• Comprehensive training and development
• Opportunities to engage with internal professional networks
• Access to counselling advice and support via Health Assured (our employee assistance programme)
• Commitment to wellbeing supported by our occupational health service and mental-health first aiders
• Generous annual leave and flexible working schemes in addition to bank and public holidays and a Christmas closure period
• As part of your contract of employment you will enrolled into the Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) which has life cover and financial protection for your family
• Enhanced parental leave schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loans
• Employee referral scheme
• Discounted gym membership subscription including digital fitness
• Home electronics scheme
Our Trust
The College is an Academy sponsor and established Orchard Hill College Academy Trust in 2013 which is home to 13 special schools. Together Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust provide for over 1500 pupils and students with SEN across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our vacancies page.
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
It is an exciting time to be part of OHC and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.
We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the college directly. Visits to the College in advance of applications are encouraged.
Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.
Closing Date: 12th October 2025
Interviews will take place on: The Week Commencing 20th October 2025
Safeguarding Statement
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.