Job Description

Vacancy Name

Head of Schools

Vacancy No

VN5219

Location City

Stoke-on-Trent

Location Postal Code

ST1

Contract Type

Permanent

Hours per week

37.50

Working Days & Times

Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Salary Minimum Pounds

38000

Salary Maximum Pounds

53045

Description

Learning Curve Group is a growing company with a range of provision across England and Wales. This allows us to offer unique training in both vocational qualifications, employability skills, and, most importantly, helping learners prepare for their next steps in education or employment.





As a nationally recognised, award-winning training provider, we aim to deliver high-impact, sustainable education solutions that make a difference in schools across the country. Our Schools Provision specialises in supporting 14-16-year-old learners through innovative, flexible, and outcomes-driven vocational programmes.




We work in partnership with schools to enhance their existing curriculum, offering tailored vocational pathways that align with national education priorities and respond to the diverse aspirations of young people. Our provision is designed to enrich learner development, raise school performance, and provide clear, measurable outcomes.




Our offer includes both in-school and off-site delivery, including access to our vocational academies. We specialise in engaging Pre-16 learners through practical, career-focused education that is embedded into the school timetable, ensuring accountability, transparency, and impact.

Role Information

As Head of Schools, you will lead the strategic development and operational delivery of our Schools Provision across England and Wales. You will oversee performance and staff support, ensuring excellence in educational standards, learner outcomes, and compliance with all statutory requirements. Your responsibilities will also include safeguarding, health and safety, staff and pupil wellbeing, and ensuring measurable progress and attainment for all learners. You will also play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of Learning Curve's Schools Provision, identifying new business growth opportunities, and embedding effective project and performance management practices.



We are looking for someone based in the West of England or Wales with good transport links. The role is to cover our school provision which has a large geographical spread concentrated in this area. We are however keen to expand this provision and as such the individual must be comfortable with travel across the UK.

You will need these important qualities:

A genuine desire to transform lives through learning. The ability to inspire and mentor young people to achieve, and the team that works with them. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Good administration and management skills. An understanding of how to drive growth and diversification of provision.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management

Collaborate with the Director of Miliatry Academies to shape the strategic vision and growth for Learning Curve Schools, its values, principles, and objectives with both internal and external stakeholders. Lead by example, fostering a culture of collaboration, integrity, fairness, and mutual respect across teams and the wider organisation. Support the development and implementation of policies, systems, and procedures that translate strategic goals into clear, measurable actions, reviewed regularly for impact and relevance. Oversee financial planning and reporting within designated centres, ensuring effective budget management and alignment with agreed EBITDA targets. Ensure full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements across all aspects of programme delivery. Take lead responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, ensuring strict adherence to all safeguarding and child protection policies. Work collaboratively with Heads of Department across the organisation to drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency within the Schools Provision. Perform any other duties, which are reasonably required by the organisation.

Performance Monitoring

Establish and implement a performance framework with clear KPIs and benchmarks across all operational areas. Lead regular performance reviews to evaluate progress, provide feedback, and drive continuous improvement. Strengthen partnerships with mainstream schools, FE colleges, local authorities, and AP providers to diversify and expand provision. Oversee financial monitoring and reporting to ensure effective budget control.

Teaching and Learning Quality Assurance

Lead robust quality assurance processes, including lesson observations, planning reviews, and learner feedback. Ensure assessment practices are fair, consistent, and compliant with regulatory standards. Monitor initial learner assessments to ensure tailored delivery that maximises achievement. Develop a responsive curriculum and income growth strategy to enhance the educational offer. Support the recruitment, retention, and strategic deployment of teaching staff to meet educational priorities. Engage with regional and national stakeholders, including DfE and Ofsted, through meetings, training, and conferences.

Professional Development

Promote a culture of continuous professional development aligned with individual roles and organisational goals. Facilitate access to relevant training, workshops, and conferences to enhance staff capability. Actively engage in CPD to support school development and strengthen personal leadership.

Safety and Welfare

Promote online safety and raise awareness of the risks associated with mobile technology and social media. Support staff in confidently addressing radicalisation and extremism, in line with Prevent training. Champion British Values, equality of opportunity, and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Promote inclusive practices in all interactions with learners, partners, and stakeholders. Monitor and address achievement gaps across learner demographics. Challenge behaviours and structures that perpetuate inequality, including bullying and harassment.

Stakeholder Management

Manage partner school contracts through effective liaison and relationship management. Expand the strategic partner and local authority network to increase reach and impact. Identify and pursue new income opportunities to grow the school's provision.

Resource Management

Ensure optimal deployment of human and material resources to meet operational needs. Monitor resource use and address inefficiencies or shortages promptly.

Generic Responsibilities

Uphold company values and model always expected behaviours. Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of work. Adhere to Safeguarding, Prevent, and Health & Safety policies, always maintaining vigilance. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions. Provide support, advice, and guidance to learners, customers, and colleagues as part of daily responsibilities.




If you would like to discuss this role in more detail or need support in applying for this role, please contact our recruitment team on 01388 777129 or Workforus@Learningcurvegroup.co.uk

Working Flexibly

If the working hours, days or times don't quite meet your needs please contact us to see if we can accommodate working flexibly.

Essentia Criteria

Essential Criteria

We're committed to developing our people, so even if you don't meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.
Proven experience in leading and developing Pre-16 vocational and/or alternative education provision. Strong track record of engaging stakeholders to expand, grow, and diversify educational programmes. Hold a recognised teaching qualification (or equivalent) Demonstrated leadership experience at a middle or senior level within an educational setting. Competent in managing budgets and resource planning. Experience in designing and delivering relevant curriculum content. Clear commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Ability to work independently, drive innovation, and introduce new ways of working.

Why work for Learning Curve group?

There are many reasons that make Learning Curve Group a fantastic place to work!



Although we have some great benefits, we know that one of our biggest perks is the incredible People & Culture we have been lucky enough to create. Don't just take our word for it though, you can hear from some of our Purple People here:



In addition to working for a company that has been listed as the top 100 companies to work for, for the last fives years you'll have access to below benefits:
26 days annual leave + Bank Holidays Buy & Sell an additional 5 days each year Length of service annual leave increments starting at 2 years Healthcare Scheme Home & Tech schemes Enhanced Family Leave Paid Volunteer day each year Early Finish Fridays on the last Friday of every month Student / Teacher Discount Uniform

HEAD OFFICE PERKS

We wish we could provide these to all, but as a national company its not always possible. However these perks are available to all staff when they attend our incredible Head Office space.
Electric Car charging points Free fruit, Coffee and Tea Onsite Shower Prayer room on request or list of nearest available places of worship

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

You're unique - and we love that about you. As an equal opportunity employer, we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.



Don't just take our word for it though! Our commitment to a number of covenants and pledges will show you just how serious we are about equal opportunities for all.

Halo Code

Learning Curve Group stand against hair discrimination in the workplace and champion the right for our Purple People to embrace Afro-Hairstyles including including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps.

Disability Confident Leader

Disability Confident Leader status is the highest level of the scheme. It is awarded to organisations that act as champions for the rights of disabled people within their networks and who lead the way to help other businesses to become disability confident. At LCG we understand the need to remove barriers to create a level playing field. That's why if you require any reasonable adjustments to the interview and/or workplace, we welcome a discussion.

Armed Forces Covenant Gold

12% of our entire workforce are veterans of the armed forces and as such as its only right we show our support by pledging to the Armed Forces Covenant. It is a promise to those who serve or who have served, and their families, which says we will do all we can to ensure they are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives. As part of this promise, Reservists will receive an additional 10 days paid leave to attend training.
Domestic Abuse Covenant Care Leaver Covenant Working Chance Ban the box

Recruitment Checks

Learners are at the centre of everything we do so we are committed to safeguarding and promoting their welfare. The successful applicant will be required to provide satisfactory references and prove their eligibility to work in the UK. For this role, we will also carry out adverse media checks and also need to carry out a DBS check and will ask information related to previous convictions if you are shortlisted for interview.




Please be assured that a previous conviction does not automatically rule you out of a role, unless you are barred from working with children or adults. We will follow our risk assessment process to understand age of, context and relevance to the conviction(s).




Please be assured that a previous conviction does not automatically rule you out of a role, unless you are barred from working with children or adults. We will follow our risk assessment process to understand age of, context and relevance to the conviction(s).

Education Level

Professional

Level of Vocational Experience

6 years

Applications Close Date

30 Sep 2025