Head of Teaching/Training, Learning and Assessment
Job Purpose
The Head of Teaching, Learning, Training and Assessment provides strategic and operational leadership for the quality of education across Lighthouse Futures Trust. The role ensures that teaching, training, learning and assessment are consistently at an exceptional standard, highly inclusive, and meet the complex and diverse needs of all learners. The postholder will lead on pedagogy, curriculum delivery, assessment, QA and staff development, ensuring strong learner progress, positive destinations, and continuous improvement aligned to Lighthouse Futures Trust values.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
* Lead and shape Lighthouse Futures Trust Teaching, Training, Learning and Assessment strategy for Post-16 provision.
* Drive the TLA vision & strategy, supporting curriculum management and teams to improve TLA, progress and outcomes for learners.
* Embed a culture of high expectations, reflective practice, and continuous improvement.
* Contribute to whole college strategic planning, self assessment, and quality improvement planning.
* Ensure alignment with Ofsted FE toolkit, FE funding and accountability requirements, and College priorities.
* Drive continuous improvement in curriculum, teaching and training practice through coaching, CPD and quality assurance.
* Champion inclusive, evidence based and adaptive teaching & training approaches.
* Assist in the recruitment process for teaching posts when required and support the effective induction, training and development needs of new staff in their initial probationary period.
* Support and develop curriculum leads, teaching staff and Job Coaches with line management responsibilities.
* Work collaboratively with learners, families, staff and external partners.
Teaching, Training, Learning and Assessment
* Provide strategic leadership for Teaching, Training, Learning and Assessment across all curriculum areas, reporting directly to the Principal on standards, impact and priorities for improvement.
* Secure consistently high-quality, learner centred teaching & training, ensuring practice is ambitious, inclusive and aligned with Lighthouse Futures Trust expectations.
* Champion and embed evidence-based pedagogy, adaptive teaching and inclusive practice, ensuring learning meets the diverse and complex needs of learners.
* Lead the development and consistent application of robust assessment practice, ensuring it is meaningful, personalised and demonstrates clear learner progress from starting points.
* In collaboration with Head of Inclusion, oversee the effective use of EHCP outcomes and accredited and nonaccredited pathways, ensuring assessment accurately reflects progress, achievement and preparation for adulthood.
* Monitor the impact of teaching, training and assessment through data, learner progress reviews and quality assurance activity such as session observations, work scrutiny and delivery of teaching; providing clear feedback to staff and evaluative reports to the Principal and senior leaders.
* Hold curriculum tutors and programme leads to account for the quality of teaching and assessment through supportive challenge, professional dialogue and targeted improvement actions.
* Ensure teaching, learning, training and assessment contribute directly to positive learner destinations, independence, employability and wellbeing.
* Teach for a specified amount of time, if required.
Quality Assurance and Improvement
* Lead the strategic Quality Assurance and Improvement cycle for teaching, training, learning and assessment, reporting directly to the Principal.
* Work with Senior Leaders to support and quality assure action plans for improvement, measuring their impact as part of the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
* Oversee robust, developmental QA processes including session observations, learning walks, work scrutiny and learner voice.
* Analyse performance data to identify strengths, risks and priorities, providing clear, concise reports to senior leaders and trustees.
* Hold identified members of staff to account for the quality of provision through support, challenge and performance review.
* Play a key role in inspection readiness, ensuring strong evidence of impact, inclusive practice and learner progress from starting points.
* Monitor and evaluate learner progress, achievement, attendance, and destinations.
* Produce high-quality QA reports and action plans for senior leaders & Trustees.
* Lead on NCFE or other external audits, reporting back to senior leaders.
Inclusive Practice & SEND
* Ensure teaching and assessment fully meet the needs of learners with SEND, Emotional Anxiety, ASD, and complex learning needs by working collaboratively with the Head of Inclusion and Send.
* Promote trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches to learning and work with other leaders to embed this.
* Work closely with therapy, safeguarding, behaviour, and wellbeing teams to remove barriers to learning.
Staff Development and Performance
* Lead on CPD strategy relating to pedagogy, assessment, quality improvement and where appropriate or in collaboration with Head of Inclusion, SEND.
* Coach, mentor, and support Programme Leads and teaching staff.
* Contribute to performance management, capability, and succession planning.
Partnership and Collaboration
* Work collaboratively with parents/carers, employers, local authorities, and external agencies.
* Support curriculum development that embeds preparation for adulthood outcomes alongside other key areas of curriculum.
Safeguarding
* Uphold and actively promote Lighthouse Futures Trust’s safeguarding policies.
* Act as a role model for safe, ethical, and professional practice.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Qualified teacher status (QTS / QTLS or equivalent).
* Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
* Leadership or management qualification (or commitment to undertake).
Experience
* Significant leadership experience within Post-16 FE, specialist education, or SEND provision.
* Proven impact on improving teaching, training, learning and outcomes, school, or college wide.
* Experience within a specialist or alternative FE setting.
Location: Headingley
Contract Type: Permanent
Contract Term: Full Time
Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 Annually (Actual)
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