Join Dv8’s Senior Management Team as Head of Teaching,

Learning & Assessment

If you’re a natural leader, with a passion for innovating within Teaching and Learning, and a proven track record of success within classroom and work-based settings – then we want to meet

you!Dv8 Sussex is a specialist creative and digital skills provider that supports young people in Sussex with personalised, industry-led training. Heading into our 14th year, our programmes have enabled many thousands of young people into employment, enterprise, volunteering, further and higher education.

Dv8 Sussex offers young people the chance to develop skills in a supportive and ambitious environment where there are continual opportunities to work and think differently. We believe in education that develops skills to think creatively, solve problems, adapt to changes and work outside the box. We aim to be the bridge between education and work; to support young people into successful careers within the Creative Industries and embed a positive, Growth Mindset philosophy that they will take into both work and life.

Head of Teaching, Learning and Assessment – Who am I?

I am a dynamic and passionate individual, committed to innovation and excellence within education and a natural leader of teams. I am resilient and driven, with a positive growth mindset and a desire to lead and develop a unique provision that sits between Further Education and the Work Based Learning Sector.

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Job Outline Head of Teaching, Learning and Assessment post outline

The Head of Teaching Learning and Assessment (TLA) will be responsible for overseeing the development, delivery and continual improvement of our teaching, learning and assessment across all strands of our delivery, including Study Programmes, School’s KS4 Alternative Provision, Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

The position is varied in scope, including the management and oversight of curriculum leaders and teaching teams, overseeing Dv8’s curriculum development strategy, leading on TLA quality assurance and improvement and becoming a key driver for the organisation on our journey to becoming an Ofsted recognised ‘outstanding’ provider of creative & digital education for all.

This post-holder will be responsible for the organisational, internal quality assurance (IQA) and assessment infrastructure, and the development of innovative, industry-led curricula that inspire and engage young people – from those with significant barriers to learning through to those with advanced gifts and talents in creativity.

Successful candidates will be forward thinking, have strong leadership skills, and a demonstrable history of leading creative teaching and learning programmes, with a focus on vocational, professional, work-based or technical education.

The ability to manage people and systems within an environment facing frequent shifts in government educational policy is vital as is ensuring excellence in the teaching of traditional core subjects such as English, mathematics, ICT and employability skills.

Next year Dv8 will have 9 cohorts of 16-18 Study Programme students in Brighton and 6 cohorts in Bexhill totaling around 170 students between the two centres. We aim to have on-role approximately 30 apprentices across Sussex. We also offer KS4 Alternative Provision programmes for year 10/11 pupils from local schools in both Brighton and Bexhill Centres.

The Head of TLA will lead a small and talented group of Curriculum Area Leads (CALs), who lead on curriculum and quality across Music, Media, Fashion, Live Events and Digital Marketing Qualifications, as well as English and maths.

This is full time post, responsible for leading provision in both Brighton and Bexhill Centres, although a job share between two part-time Head of TLAs specifically based in one centre or another would be considered.

Dv8 prides itself on offering a real alternative to traditional Further Education for young people who want real world skills and experience to provide them with the right skills and experience to move on into careers in creativity. Our tutors must match high-level teaching and engagement skills with real world industry experience and our courses provide opportunities to develop enterprise and team-work skills as well as meet and work with employers, through client briefs, course projects and work- placements.

We are seeking an individual who can embrace this approach to learning and match it with an ambition and drive to deliver the highest quality of teaching, learning and assessment in the classroom and workplace.

This is a challenging role for a candidate with ambition, experience, knowledge and drive who wants to make a big difference in a young and developing organisation.

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Head of Teaching Learning and Assessment Job Specification

Salary: £32 – 35k per annumContract type: Permanent, Full Time (or two part time job share in Brighton / Bexhill)Reporting to: Managing DirectorResponsible For: Curriculum Area Lead Teams and Head of Student SupportBased in: Brighton and BexhillClosing Date: 9am Thursday 5th May

Key responsibilities associated with the job role:

Leadership of Teaching and Learning Teams:

Lead all Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TLA) teams at Dv8 Sussex, across two sites in Brighton and Bexhill. Set high standards and expectations for all aspects of delivery relating to the Quality of TLA and Outcomes for Learners in both classroom and workplace learning and ensuring staff are supported to meet these expectations

Line manage Curriculum Area Lead team (currently a team of 5 CALs) Line Manage Head of Student Support Lead on the recruitment and selection process of new teaching staff at Dv8.

Drive forward continual improvement:

Lead on key areas of the Self Assessment Report (SAR), Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), and the annual quality cycle relating to the quality of TLA, outcomes for learners and aspects of leadership & management across the organisation.

Use key data relating to student engagement, progress, achievement and progression to identify areas of strength and weakness within the provision and use as a benchmark to map continual improvement. Ensure data is shared with all relevant staff on an ongoing basis and where underperformance is identified, or is below organisational KPIs for Good or Outstanding, that a clear plan for improvement is put in place with demonstrable impact on performance.

Develop and implement a robust staff CPD programme with demonstrable impact on the quality of TLA throughout the organisation.

Lead on the development and implementation of all relevant quality improvement processes mapped to the Ofsted Common Inspection Framework that impact on TLA; Leadership and Management; and student’s engagement, achievement and progression whilst at Dv8.

Maintain key relationships with awarding bodies, and other external partners, ensuring all relevant quality and compliance processes are in place and that all external verification visits and submissions are effectively managed.

Lead the Observation of Teaching, Learning and Assessment (OTLA) process, ensuring the observation process is both supportive to staff and impactful in driving forward improvement.

Lead on maintaining current TLA policies and procedures to ensure they are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect key sector developments and best practice

Work within the Senior Management Team to lead on organisational TLA strategy and culture within teaching teams

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Work with the SMT to develop a culture in which achievements in teaching are recognised and rewarded, including promoting initial and continuing professional development in teaching for all staff with teaching responsibilities; leading initiatives to identify, mentor and develop future leaders in teaching; and supporting and encouraging research into teaching and learning within Dv8

Work within the Senior Management Team to develop new areas of teaching and learning provision as business needs require

Work within the Senior Management Team to support organisational aims to be an Ofsted Outstanding provider of teaching and learning programmes.

Act as the organisational nominated lead representative during Ofsted Inspections Work within the Senior Management team to develop and deliver key TLA policies

and procedures relating to TLA and learner achievement. Represent Dv8 at educational and creative sector events as required and promote

the service positively at all times.

Ensure quality of delivery, support and tracking of learner progress

Ensure robust and effective teaching, learning and assessment processes are in place to support learners of all levels and abilities to achieve, with demonstrable impact on student progress, achievement and tracking of achievement.

Ensure effective Initial Assessment processes are in place to identify students need and used to design individual programmes of learning mapped into the student Individual Learning Plan (ILP)

Ensure all processes for recording and tracking the full learner journey, including the ILP and OneFile e-portfolio system, are effective, support students in their learning and are in line with funding audit requirements.

Work with Centre Teams to ensure that learner data is effectively recorded on PICS and register systems and that audit checks on learner eligibility and data accuracy are regular and robust

Work with the Student Support teams to ensure provision is both targeting and fully supporting ‘at risk’, EBSD and SEN students to progress and achieve all programme aims.

Work with Student Support and CAL teams to embed Personal and Social Development within the curriculum and positively develop strategies to manage Behaviour and Welfare of all students

Work with the recruitment teams at Dv8 to ensure that the admissions processes effectively support both curriculum design and initial assessment to ensure personalised learning can be designed and supported for each student.

Work with the Apprenticeships Manager to develop work-based learning processes which support and embed effective teaching, learning & assessment

Lead on curriculum development

Oversee the development of all course curricula that will stretch, challenge and inspire students and provide skills relevant to the local job market as well as meet the requirements of funders and awarding bodies

Ensure Dv8’s ethos of practical, experiential and industry lead learning is maintained throughout all programmes.

Work with the Apprenticeship and Marketing teams to ensure effective employer engagement allows all courses embed opportunities for both real and simulated work experience with the aim for all students to have a work placement at some point within their year.

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Work with CAL and Student Support teams to develop schemes of work which embed employer project briefs, opportunities to develop enterprise skills and feature regular employer, artist or culturally enriching visits and trips.

Work with the CAL team to develop and disseminate shared best practice in teaching, learning and assessment and develop TLA resources for use across all areas of provision

Lead on the development of e-learning strategies across provision, including development of a college-wide VLE

Learner Voice and Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG)

Ensure that the learner’s voice is both heard and used to directly influence provision through ongoing student feedback and forums.

Ensure information relating to the content of Dv8 programmes and TLA support is accurate and clear and made accessible to all students from first contact and application through to progression and achievement.

Lead on developing clear advice and guidance on a range of valid progression routes, including developing links with UCAS, local HE and FE providers, as well as other local careers advisors, training providers and employers

Safeguarding

Ensure safeguarding is a paramount priority at all times and that all TLA teams ensure the highest level of safety and care for students. Be prepared to take on lead safeguard responsibilities, in conjunction with the Head of Student Support.

Essential Criteria:

1. Excellent leadership, management and communication skills2. Strong interpersonal skills including, motivational, negotiating, influencing and networking3. Proven ability to use initiative, to think strategically and to adopt an active approach to

problem solving4. An active interest in current developments in teaching, learning, assessment and the

student experience 5. At least 5 years’ experience of curriculum and/or course management within post-16

education and of leading teams to achieve excellent retention and success rates6. A demonstrable history of driving forward improvements in the quality of teaching, learning

and assessment mapped to Ofsted’s Common Inspection Framework7. Experience of taking part in an Ofsted inspection, and/or other quality visits as nominee (eg.

Matrix, BTEC)8. A level 5 UK teaching qualification, in 11-18 or post-compulsory education9. Good understanding of the creative industries and relevant routes into work10. Demonstrable experience and understanding of working with client groups who face

barriers to achievement in education; and/or experience of delivering personal & social development and management of behaviour and welfare at a senior level

11. An understanding of best practice in safeguarding young people 12. An understanding of best practice in embedding equality

& diversity in the classroom

Desirable Criteria:

1. IQA / Internal Verifier qualification2. Vocational Assessor qualification3. Experience of contributing to a grade 1 or 2 Ofsted

inspection

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4. Senior leadership experience within a post-16 Further Education or Work Based Learning environment

5. An understanding of national policy around Study Programmes, KS4 provision and Apprenticeships

6. An understanding of local support and referral networks 7. Good links with local creative employers

Dv8 training is an equal opportunities employer and positively welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to safeguarding all learners enrolled on our programmes and appointment of successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory references being obtained, and an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

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