Associate Lecturer - Horticulture

Associate Lecturer - Horticulture The Bedford College Group Biggleswade

Location: Shuttleworth College – Old Warden

Salary/Benefits: Salary is £21.00 per hour

Hours/Weeks: 18 hours per week

Contract Type: Sessional – Hourly Paid

This is a UK based contract
, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK
. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

About the role:

We are currently seeking an Associate Lecturer in Horticulture to join our Land-based Education department at The Bedford College Group.

As an Associate Lecturer, you play an important role in the success of our students through:

• Teaching & Learning Delivery - Plan, prepare, deliver, and assess high-quality horticulture programmes across RHS Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications, using both practical and theory-based teaching approaches to meet learner needs.
• Learner Progress & Student
  Support - Monitor, assess, and report on learner achievement and progress, providing guidance, support, and personal tutoring to help students achieve their goals and progress into further study or employment.
• Curriculum Development & Quality Assurance - Develop schemes of work, learning resources, and curriculum content while contributing to quality assurance processes and the continuous improvement of horticulture provision.
• Horticultural Resource & Industry Engagement - Maintain horticultural facilities, equipment, and learning resources, while developing strong employer and industry partnerships to enhance learner opportunities and curriculum relevance.
• Compliance & Professional Responsibilities - Uphold safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, health & safety, and professional development requirements, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and effective learning environment for all learners.

About you:

• Qualifications & Industry Expertise - Level 3 Horticulture qualification (or higher), GCSE English and Maths, and a commitment to achieving a recognised teaching qualification, supported by recent horticulture industry experience and strong practical horticultural knowledge.
• Teaching & Learning Capability - Experience delivering teaching, training, or assessment activities, with the ability to plan and deliver engaging practical and theory-based learning that supports student achievement and progression.
• Communication & Assessment Skills - Strong communication, assessment, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to monitor learner progress, provide constructive feedback, and support a high-quality learning experience.
• Organisation & Professionalism - Well‑organised, reliable, and adaptable, with the ability to manage responsibilities effectively, maintain professional standards, and remain learner‑focused in all aspects of the role.
• Flexibility & Continuous Development - Holds a driving licence, committed to ongoing CPD and industry updating, and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet programme and organisational needs.

What is an Associate?

Associates work on a short-term basis as assigned. They teach or provide support services, and they work with and are supported by core staff. As an Associate you will be issued with an Associate Agreement, under this Agreement period you will be eligible to work on assignments offered to you.

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Interviews to be held: TBC

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
• Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
• Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we…