Animal Care & Horticulture Curriculum Lead

Curriculum Performance Lead – Animal Care and Plant Sciences/Horticulture

Hours:

Full‑time (37 hours each week, all year round). Duration:
Permanent. Salary: £43,672 a year + benefits.

Location:

Dearne Valley College, Rotherham.

We are looking for an experienced lecturer or course leader to step into operational leadership. As the Curriculum Performance Lead (CPL), you will shape our inclusive curriculum, ensuring provision meets local, regional and national skills needs while maintaining academic excellence.

• Line Management:
  Provide clear direction, support and professional challenge to lecturers, assessors and technicians.
• Performance & Development:
  Lead the Performance Development Review (PDR) process, setting targets and identifying CPD needs.
• Staff Induction & Support:
  Deliver structured induction and mentoring for new and developing staff.
• Resource Planning:
  Manage staffing allocation, contribute to timetable development and oversee delegated physical resources and budgets.

• Academic Rigour:
  Lead the local self‑assessment process (SAR), manage IQA/EQA and ensure compliance with external awarding bodies.
• Quality Improvement:
  Conduct learning walks with the Quality Team to enhance classroom and training experience.
• Data Integrity:
  Manage student data, maintain accurate registers, track enrolment and monitor exam claims with the MIS team.

• Teaching & Tutoring:
  Deliver high‑quality teaching, planning and assessment across various programmes; act as a group tutor.
• Early Intervention:
  Monitor attendance, punctuality and progress, implementing strategies to address underperformance.
• Inclusive Curriculum:
  Work to eliminate barriers, ensuring students with EHCPs or facing social exclusion receive tailored support.
• Employability & Recruitment:
  Engage employers, schools and parents to secure real‑world projects and recruit the right students to the right course.

• Foster a culture of high expectations, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Use coaching techniques to support well‑being, life skills and self‑reliance of staff and students.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory bodies, focusing on Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Prevent Duty.
• Meet or exceed departmental KPIs, reporting progress to the Curriculum Manager.

• Be a positive role model and help staff overcome daily obstacles.
• Support every learner, regardless of challenges.
• Adapt quickly to awarding body specifications and curriculum shifts.

• Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification in English and Maths, or willingness to undertake.
• Recognised teaching qualification at Level 5 or higher.
• Professionally relevant qualification within animal care, veterinary sciences, animal welfare or plant sciences.
• Assessor’s award (A1/CAVA) advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of curriculum intent, quality assurance processes and data tracking in Further Education, Adult and Apprentices.
• Empathetic, coaching‑focused leadership ability and collaborative mindset.

• Access to teacher pension scheme (23.68% employer contribution).
• Up to 50 days annual leave (including Christmas closure).
• Access to gyms, restaurants and salons.
• Staff health & wellbeing schemes and in‑house Occupational Health service.
• Well‑being support hub covering physical, mental and financial well‑being.
• Full, part‑time and flexible working hours available in many roles.
• Free parking on all sites.
• Career development opportunities, training funding and industry recognised qualifications.
• Fees up to £6,000 in STEM for new FE teachers (conditions apply).
• Recruitment referral scheme (£200 per referral).

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of background and celebrate diversity. We are inclusive, uphold integrity, deliver outcomes and work as one team. All new employees will be required to undertake DBS checks in line with safeguarding guidance.

All candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.