October 2013
Your route to success
Dagenham Road
Romford
Essex RM7 0XU
Telephone: 020 8090 3020
Fax: 01708 770007
Principal & Chief Executive: Cathy Walsh
Dear Applicant
Curriculum Director – Creative & Technology Industries
Thank you for your interest in this new and exciting strategic leadership post within
Barking & Dagenham College. The college has been on a steep learning curve in
recent years, and all strategic leadership roles have been re-aligned to better
position the College, within a challenging and changing set of external contexts.
We are on a journey from Good to Great and central to this journey, is the ability of
all our leaders to be agile, responsive and innovative in their leadership roles, to be
focussed on placing learners and customers at the heart of all we do. We are
looking for someone with excellent people skills as well as a sound competence in
leading teaching, learning and assessment strategies and motivating high performing
teams.
The Curriculum Director for Creative & Technology Industries is an important
strategic leadership role for us and is the final position to be filled, within the
Strategic Leadership Team.
2012-2013 was another challenging year for the College, like many other FE
colleges nationally. The planned major campus re-development strategy has
completed its latest phase of new build and within the fifteen year Estates Strategy is
being implemented.
In April 2013 Ofsted praised BDC’s “outstanding leadership and management of the
student experience”, its “outstanding support for all students” and its “excellence in
innovation and entrepreneurship”.
In September 2013 Investors in People (IIP) recognised the college and its priority to
empower, motivate and develop entrepreneurial people, by awarding us the
prestigious IIP Gold Award.
The College is now well placed and operates as a business within a challenging
fiscal climate. In addition, the further development of our business innovation and
enterprise team has positively impacted upon our ability to compete, win multi
agency contracts and have a very good reputation amongst employers, funding
agencies and government departments. We are a Gazelle College and
entrepreneurialism is one of our values and integral to our business plans.
Our current strengths are our people and their commitment to learners and our
product and its specialisms. The cultural transformation that is taking place within the
college, promoting innovation, enterprise and business focus, in tandem with the
introduction of modern and integrated business systems, is stretching our people to
perform at their best. Nevertheless, I am mindful that it is only with and through our
people that we will achieve our vision, to be A Truly Great College – Passionate
About Success. Therefore all college leaders are participating in a leadership
development programme to enable them to motivate their teams to give personal
best performances. Our product – the curriculum – is second to none across London.
The degree of specialisms and niche markets, the industry standard training facilities
and the technical expertise of our staff, well places the college as a renowned
provider of vocational education and training.
Consequently, within Corporate Services and Enterprise and across the college how we plan and manage our finance and resources within the current and future
climate to take the college from Good to Great; how we foster and embed enterprise
within our culture to secure maximum financial impact on our bottom line; and, how
we motivate our people to deliver these results – is dependent upon you.
If you think Barking & Dagenham College and this new, exciting role is for you, then
we want to hear from you.
With very best wishes
Yours sincerely
Cathy Walsh
Principal & Chief Executive
Barking & Dagenham College
Tel: 020 80-90 3020 ext 7075/7069
E-mail: recruitment@barkingdagenhamcollege.ac.uk
Dear Sir or Madam
Thank you for your interest in the post of Curriculum Director – Creative and Technology
Industries.
Further information about this position can be found below. Please submit your application
on line via the college website by Thursday 7 November 2013.
It would be appreciated if you would also complete the equal opportunities monitoring
information to assist us in the evaluation and development of our recruitment practices. In
accordance with the College’s two ticks award, we offer an interview to disabled applicants
who meet all the essential criteria.
The College is committed to the principles of the Safeguarding Agenda. All College staff are
required to undertake an enhanced DBS check. Please note that having a criminal record
will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position at the College, (further information is
available in the College’s DBS policy).
Interviews will be held on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd December 2013.
May I wish you every success in your application for this post.
Yours faithfully
Mary Ruse
Human Resources Assistant
Conditions of Service
The duties for the post of Curriculum Director Skills are outlined in the enclosed job
description. The conditions of employment for this post are summarised below. There will be
a further opportunity to discuss these if you are invited for interview.
Hours of Work
The hours of work for this post will not normally exceed 36 hours per week.
Salary
This post has been evaluated on Management Scale, Point P52. This currently equates to
£65,958 per annum inclusive of London Weighting.
Salaries are paid monthly on the 25th of every month or the last working day prior to the 25th
if the 25th falls on a weekend or bank holiday. The only exception to this is for the
December payment, which will be on an earlier date that will be notified to you on an annual
basis. Payment will be made direct into a bank/building society account. You will need to
provide details of your branch, account number and sort code before payment can be made
to you.
Annual Leave
35 Days per annum and all Bank and Public Holidays normally observed in England and
Wales. The College also shuts for an additional 5 efficiency closure days plus 3 statutory
days which the Principal will set at the beginning of the academic year. Although every effort
will be made to meet requests for Annual Leave, service demands will take preference. All
leave is subject to an efficient service being maintained and specific restrictions may apply.
Pension Scheme – Teachers’ Pension Scheme
Contributions are based on a percentage of annual salary for Employees before tax is
deducted and the College also makes a contribution to the scheme. Additional voluntary
contributions can be arranged via AVCs or Added Years. Applicants must make a decision
whether to contribute or not. Deductions will be made automatically if you do not elect
otherwise. Please visit http://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/ for full scheme information.
Probationary Period
Appointment will be subject to a probationary period of nine months in the first instance.
Staff Development
As part of the Contract of Employment, all appointees will be required to attend staff
development events and take part in the College’s appraisal scheme.
Pre-Employment Checks
Eligibility to Work in the United Kingdom
You will be required to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the United Kingdom if
you are shortlisted for interview, or you will need to declare that you require Sponsorship to
work in the United Kingdom.
References
All appointments are made subject to references which are satisfactory to the College.
Health Screening
Successful candidates are required to complete a pre-placement medical form.
Disclosure & Barring Checks
The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young
people and vulnerable adults and expects its staff to abide by the same policy. Enhanced
DBS checks and right to work in the UK will be undertaken as part of its employment
procedures.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
DESIGNATION:
Curriculum Director
REPORTING TO:
Vice Principal, Curriculum and the Learner
Experience
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Leadership, management and development of an
identified curriculum area, ensuring that the quality
of teaching, learning and assessment is
outstanding, and that learners succeed and
progress
GRADE:
Grade P52 – Spot Point Salary
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
To be responsible for the leadership, management and development of the
College’s provision for identified curriculum areas, ensuring that the quality of
the delivery is of the highest standard.
2.
To lead and manager learner recruitment, the total, holistic learner
experience, successful achievement of qualifications and ‘soft skills’ plus the
positive progression of learners.
3.
To lead and manage the development of the curriculum and its resources to
ensure it keeps abreast of the latest occupational changes at both local and a
national levels.
4.
To be a member of the College’s Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the
strategic leadership management and development of College provision on its
journey to excellence
5.
To work with the Senior Leadership Team in achieving the College vision of
excellence through the development and implementation of the College’s
Strategic Development Plans and Quality Improvement Plans.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
To ensure that the delivery of teaching, learning and assessment is of the
highest standard and responsive to the needs of the learners, including, in
particular:

Leading, managing and being accountable for, improvements in the
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quality of teaching, learning and assessment delivered by the
Directorate
Establishing and maintaining high levels of professional conduct in the
area of responsibility.
Ensuring that the targets for the improvement in quality of teaching,
learning assessment and learner outcomes for the Directorate are
achieved.
Leading and managing and being accountable for sustained
improvements in learners’ achievements and progression within the
Directorate.
Ensuring that the targets for learners’ retention and achievement are
challenging and are achieved.
Leading and managing the learner support and disciplinary processes
and and learner behaviour and conduct within the Directorate.
2.
To lead, manage and develop an outstanding curriculum offer that helps
learners develop their entrepreneurial capabilities in agreed specific areas
and prepares them for the workplace.
3.
To develop, in conjunction with other Directors, systems that enable the
learners to access the full range of rich learning opportunities available at the
college.
4.
To ensure the effective delivery of a personal coaching support system that is
relevant to the needs of learners, helps them to progress successfully on to
their chosen career path, and is built upon Motivational Dialogue skills of
trained personal coaches (tutors).
5.
To capitalise and further develop links with employers and engage their
expertise in developing the college technical and vocational curriculum as a
core part of the area’s activities.
6.
To liaise, as necessary, with organisations that work in partnership with the
College for the delivery of the College’s programmes and other activities.
Quality and Planning
7
To develop and ensure the delivery of an outstanding learning experience to
all learners and to promote and help develop outstanding standards of
teaching, learning and assessment.
8
To lead and manage the aspects of the College’s quality and self-assessment
processes to ensure robust procedures are in place.
9
To set and monitor targets for learner participation, retention, attendance,
achievement, success and progression.
10
To lead and manage the aspects of the College strategic and annual business
planning and budgeting processes that are the responsibility of the role
11
To represent the College with external agencies as required in the
performance of duties or as directed by the Vice Principal Curriculum and
Learner Experience
12
To achieve agreed targets and performance indicators across all areas of
responsibility
Resources
13
To plan, lead and manage and ensure the effective deployment of the
resource requirements for the services within the area of responsibly,
including financial human and physical resources.
General
14
To promote and put in to practice College policies, particularly those relating
to equality and diversity.
15
To promote and put in to practice Health and Safety and security measures in
accordance with statutory and College requirements.
16
To actively take responsibility for your own (formal and informal) learning and
development and to review your own performance and the performance of
those who are within your area of responsibility.
17
To develop effective working relationships internally and with external
partners.
18
To behave at all times as an ambassador for the college, role modelling the
values and agreed leadership behaviours (see attached) .
19
To undertake any other duties consistent with the key responsibilities and/or
duties of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
NB: You will need to demonstrate in your supporting statement how you can
meet the criteria listed below
Post Title:
Curriculum Director
KEY: (E) – Essential (D) - Desirable
We will assess your match to the
criteria from:
Appl.
Form
1. Education / Training
 Be educated to degree level or equivalent
(E)
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Hold a teaching qualification
(E)

Tests
Interviews
Hold a management qualification
(D)
2. Experience
 Significant, experience of direct
management of curriculum delivery within
the Further or Higher Education sector,
with a proven track record of measurable
success
(E)
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Significant leadership/management
experience at senior level in the education
sector with knowledge of the complex FE
environment within which the College
works
(E)

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
Commitment to raising the quality of
learners experience (E)

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
A clear understanding of a learner focused
approach to the delivery of the curriculum
(E)

Have a successful record of leading
innovation within curriculum design,
development, delivery, assessment and
relevance for the 21st century (E)

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Have a successful record of managing
budgets relating to staffing and teaching
resources
(E)

References
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Post Title:
Curriculum Director
KEY: (E) – Essential (D) - Desirable
We will assess your match to the
criteria from:
Appl.
Form

Tests
Interviews


Have a successful record of people
management and performance
management
(E)

Have a successful record of developing
and implementing curriculum strategy of
relevant curriculum area
(E)

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
Have successful experience in leading and
manage cross-college curriculum or
learner-support initiatives (E)

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
Have a passionate and proven commitment
to the achievement of excellent learning
outcomes
(E)


3. Communication


Possess high level communication,
interpersonal skills, and negotiating skills,
including presentation and report-writing
skills, and the ability to communicate
effectively with people at all levels (E)
4. Disposition/Personal Qualities
 Be able to work flexibly and meet deadlines
under pressure.
(E)
 Be able to demonstrate qualities of
initiative, innovation, responsibility,
accountability and leadership
commensurate with the post
(E)
5. Professional Knowledge / Understanding
 Be able to demonstrate an understanding
of equality of opportunity and have practical
ideas on how to implement it (E)
 Management role in curriculum
development and review (E)
6. Professional Judgement / Decision
Making
 Be able to identify drivers of developments
in further education
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References
Post Title:
Curriculum Director
KEY: (E) – Essential (D) - Desirable
We will assess your match to the
criteria from:
Appl.
Form
Tests
Interviews
(E)




Have an awareness of how to develop
learning opportunities suited to the needs
of local communities and local/regional
employers (E)
Have an understanding of the latest
developments in the curriculum area
(E)

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
Be alert to the most appropriate way of
arriving at a decision – when to involve
others and when to use personal authority
(E)
Be able to manage outcomes – organising
self and others to ensure goals are defined
and the work is clarified, organized and
delivered effectively
(E)
7. Leadership / Managerial Attitude /
Approach
 Be able to demonstrate the ability to
motivate a team of staff as well as to work
as a team member (E)
 Have experience of and ability to
successfully represent the college at
external events and networks (D)
 Have an awareness of and commitment to
the application of IT to learning
(E)
 Be able to demonstrate commitment to
Equality of Opportunity
(E)
 Be able to demonstrate commitment to the
continuing professional development of self
and others
(E)
 Have an entrepreneurial approach to the
achievement of corporate success in a
competitive environment
(E)
 Have a commitment to social inclusion
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References
Post Title:
Curriculum Director
KEY: (E) – Essential (D) - Desirable

combined with exemplary curriculum
standards (E)
Strong Leadership & Management Skills
(E)
8. Circumstances
 Be able, from time to time to work outside
the usual hours and at off site locations as
required within the terms of the contract of
employment
(E)
We will assess your match to the
criteria from:
Appl.
Form

Tests
Interviews


References