Job Description:
Job Role: Vocational Training Assistant Manager
Location: HMP The Mount
Salary: From £35,000
Contract: Permanent, full time
Working Environment: Prison-based role with full on-site leadership and delivery
Role Overview
We are recruiting an experienced and motivated Assistant Manager: Vocational to support the effective leadership and delivery of high-quality vocational education at HMP The Mount.
In this senior role, you will support the Education Manager with curriculum management, quality assurance and continuous improvement, ensuring provision meets the needs of learners, employers and regulatory requirements. You will lead on quality improvement activity, support the development of teaching staff and help embed an innovative, learner-focused culture that raises standards and achieves strong outcomes.
As part of the site leadership team, you will also deputise for the Education Manager when required and contribute to the day-to-day operational management of the education department.
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum & Quality Leadership
- Take the establishment lead for quality assurance and improvement within the vocational curriculum. - Drive the Quality Cycle across the department to ensure consistently high standards of teaching, learning and assessment. - Lead and coordinate lesson observations, blended learning reviews, learning walks and curriculum deep dives. - Produce observation reports, action plans and provide clear, developmental feedback to teaching staff. - Monitor and coordinate IQA and EQA activity, carrying out the IQA role where required. - Support the preparation of the annual Self-Assessment Report (SAR), Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) and budget.
Operational Management & Learner Experience
- Support day-to-day education department operations, including learner induction, class allocation and conduct. - Ensure curriculum delivery meets Ofsted, awarding-body and Ministry of Justice requirements. - Develop and promote a standardised, employer-focused curriculum aligned to learner and labour-market needs. - Maintain and develop effective internal and external partnerships to support learner progression.
Staff Leadership, Coaching & Development
- Provide strong, supportive leadership to teaching and support staff. - Manage staff performance through probation, appraisal and professional development processes. - Induct and mentor new teaching staff, providing ongoing coaching and guidance. - Encourage innovative, problem-solving approaches to teaching to raise standards. - Coordinate and deliver local CPD based on quality findings and performance trends.
Inclusion, Compliance & Contribution
- Promote inclusion, diversity and equal opportunities across all learning activity. - Undertake quality assurance on teaching, neurodiversity and reading processes. - Maintain professional standards through continuous professional development. - Deliver teaching sessions where required to support delivery and quality. - Deputise for the Education Manager when required and support wider leadership responsibilities. - Ensure compliance with prison security procedures at all times. - Contribute flexibly to additional duties aligned with the role and organisational needs.
Essential Criteria
- Relevant first degree and/or professional qualification. - Level 5 or above Teaching Qualification. - Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) or willingness to work towards. - Level 3 English and Maths. - Significant teaching experience. - Proven experience managing curriculum development, quality systems and staff performance. - Clear understanding of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF). - Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams. - Evidence of continuous professional development. - Commitment to reducing re-offending through education and skills. - Full driving licence and access to own transport.
Desirable Criteria
- Level 5 Operations or Departmental Manager qualification. - Experience working within prison education or secure learning environments. - Experience supporting inspection preparation and quality improvement planning.