Head of School: Foundation Learning

Salary: £53,656 to £60,082 per annum, including London Weighting

Post Type: Full Time

Closing Date: Tuesday 06 October 2026

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Further Education leader to lead and continuously improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, maximising learner recruitment, retention, achievement and progression.

The successful candidate will lead a team of curriculum and support staff and will oversee a diverse and inclusive portfolio of programmes designed to meet the needs of learners with mild to complex needs. You will play a key role in ensuring that learners receive personalised academic, pastoral and specialist support, enabling them to develop independence and progress towards further learning, supported internships, employment and adult life.

Key Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing effective marketing and recruitment strategies for SEND and High Needs provision.
• Building strong partnerships with Local Authorities, feeder schools, specialist providers, employers and community organisations.
• Overseeing recruitment, screening, initial assessment and learner guidance to ensure appropriate programme placement.
• Leading the development and delivery of innovative, flexible and inclusive curriculum programmes.
• Ensuring programmes meet the requirements of the SEND Code of Practice and effectively support individual learners’ needs.
• Ensuring appropriate provision for English, math’s, work experience and personal development.
• Leading quality improvement, programme review and self assessment activity.
• Using achievement, retention, attendance and other performance data to set ambitious targets and drive continuous improvement.
• Supporting and developing staff through effective induction, observation, coaching, appraisal and professional development.
• Ensuring learner voice and feedback inform curriculum and service improvements.
• Working closely with Additional Learning Support teams, therapists and other professionals to ensure effective support for learners.
• Ensuring robust safeguarding, behavior management, attendance and learner support arrangements.
• Developing annual business and development plans and contributing to new initiatives and funding applications.
• Managing budgets, staffing resources, accommodation and learning environments effectively.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements, including risk assessments and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans.
• Promoting equality, diversity, safeguarding and inclusive practice across the provision.

About You

• A minimum Level 3 qualification, with a degree and relevant professional qualification desirable.
• GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or equivalent.
• A full teaching qualification recognised by the Further Education sector, such as a PGCE, DET or equivalent.
• Significant experience of providing inspirational leadership and management to High Needs teams within Further Education.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and developing SEND teaching, learning and assessment within quality assurance frameworks.
• Experience of curriculum development and innovative approaches to meet changing learner, industry and sector requirements.
• Strong knowledge and experience of diverse SEND learner needs, including complex needs provision.
• Experience of budget monitoring and resource management.
• Experience of self assessment, report writing and development planning.
• Experience of working with awarding bodies and Local Authorities.
• The ability to analyse data and use it effectively to inform decision making and improvement.
• Experience of lesson observation and providing developmental feedback.
• Upto-date knowledge of SEND curriculum developments and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Knowledge and experience of quality improvement processes, inclusive learning strategies and FE funding requirements.
• Experience of managing change and implementing new initiatives.