Head of Department - Learning , Thornton College and Transitions Hub

Head of Department
- Learning for Life, Thornton College and Transitions Hub

Final date to receive applications: 18 September 2026

Department: Core FE

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hugh Baird College
- Thornton Campus

Reporting To: Sarah Collins

Compensation: £45,526 - £47,645 / year

• Head of Department
  - Learning for Life, Thornton College and Transitions Hub
• Full-Time, Permanent
• 50 Days Annual Leave
• £45,526 - £47,645 per annum + potential market supplement (DOE)
• Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS)
• Access to Medicash and a Wide Range of Staff Benefits

At Hugh Baird College, an Ofsted Outstanding provider, we are committed to inspiring, challenging and transforming lives. Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we nurture a culture where excellence, innovation and collaboration drive success.

We are seeking an exceptional and inspirational Head of Department to lead our Learning for Life, Thornton College and Transitions Hub provision. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate educational leader to shape curriculum excellence, drive outstanding learner outcomes, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people with a wide range of needs.

Reporting to the Director of Foundation Learning, Thornton College & Transitions Hub, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across your department, ensuring learners receive an exceptional educational experience and achieve their full potential. You will lead on curriculum development, quality improvement, staff performance, learner achievement and stakeholder engagement while embedding the College's values and vision.

Working collaboratively with senior leaders, curriculum teams, support services and external partners, you will play a key role in ensuring the College continues to deliver outstanding outcomes for learners and communities across the Liverpool City Region.

As Head of Department, you will provide inspirational leadership and effective management of the curriculum area, driving continuous improvement in teaching, learning, assessment and the learner experience. You will be responsible for achieving departmental performance targets, supporting staff development, managing quality assurance processes and ensuring learners progress successfully into further learning, employment or independent living opportunities.

• Provide outstanding leadership and management of the department, ensuring delivery against strategic priorities and operational objectives.
• Drive high standards of teaching, learning, assessment and learner experience through effective quality assurance and improvement activities.
• Monitor and analyse curriculum performance, using data to inform decision-making and improvement planning.
• Lead achievement, attendance, progress and retention strategies to ensure learners achieve successful outcomes.
• Develop and implement curriculum plans that respond to learner, community, employer and local skills needs.
• Manage and develop staff performance through coaching, appraisals, professional development and recognition.
• Lead self-assessment and quality improvement planning processes across the department.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with employers, stakeholders, external agencies and progression partners.
• Ensure compliance with awarding organisation, internal quality assurance and external verification requirements.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive environment where all learners can access the curriculum and thrive.
• Champion trauma-informed approaches and positive behaviour support across the department.
• Support College recruitment, admissions, learner experience activities and community engagement events

• A degree or equivalent qualification.
• A…