Assistant Manager – Vocational
Location: HMP The Mount (Bovingdon, Hertfordshire)
Salary: From £35,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
The Opportunity
We have an exciting leadership opportunity for an Assistant Manager – Vocational to join the senior management team on-site at HMP The Mount. Working alongside the Education Manager, you will oversee and elevate the vocational curriculum-spanning Motor Mechanics, Painting & Decorating, Art, Music, Media, and Personal & Social Development (PSD)-fostering a high-performing teaching environment that delivers outstanding educational outcomes.
What You Will Be Doing
- Operational Leadership & Deputising: Support the Education Manager with day-to-day operations across the education department, managing learner inductions, allocations, and conduct, while stepping in to lead the department when required.
- Vocational Curriculum Management: Oversee delivery and continuous improvement across diverse trade and creative departments (e.g., Motor Mechanics, P&D, Art, Music, Media, PSD), ensuring qualifications align with employer expectations and awarding body standards.
- Quality Assurance & Performance: Lead internal quality assurance (IQA/EQA) processes, developmental observations, learning walks, and deep dives. Use MoJ management information systems to analyse performance and drive targets for recruitment, retention, and achievement.
- Staff Development & Coaching: Manage and mentor teaching and support staff through formal appraisals, probation reviews, and tailored CPD plans, fostering a supportive, high-performing culture.
- Inspection Readiness & Delivery: Contribute directly to the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) in line with Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework (EIF), while delivering cover teaching sessions when necessary.
What We Are Looking For
- Teaching Credentials: Essential Level 5+ Teaching Qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS, or equivalent) alongside Level 3 qualifications in both Maths and English.
- Quality Assurance: Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) qualification (or willingness to achieve upon appointment).
- Leadership Experience: Significant teaching experience with proven success in staff management, vocational curriculum oversight, and quality improvement within FE, adult learning, or prison education settings.
- Inspection Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and quality assurance mechanisms.
- Desirable Criteria: Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager qualification and prior experience within secure custodial environments.
Our Benefits Include:
- 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
- Paid volunteering day each year
- Generous pension scheme & Life Assurance
- Cycle to Work scheme & Holiday purchase scheme
- Enhanced Wedding Leave & Enhanced Maternity Scheme
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme & online wellbeing portal
- Access to hundreds of retail discounts via the Additions portal
Important Notice
We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
We are an equal opportunities employer.
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