ROLE PURPOSE

To play a strategic leadership role in building capacity across Bradford Birth to 19 Education and Training, driving the continued growth, commercial sustainability, and development of the Apprenticeship Academy and SCITT programmes. The role will oversee the delivery of high-quality training, strategic employer engagement, learner support systems, recruitment, and robust quality assurance across a range of education and training pathways.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership, Training Delivery & Curriculum

• Lead the design and quality assurance of training delivery across the SCITT and Apprenticeship Academy programmes, contributing directly where necessary to model excellent practice.
• Oversee and strategically develop Functional Skills provision, ensuring compliance and high-quality outcomes across the team.
• Lead the development and delivery of additional employment and workforce development programmes.
• Strategically direct the ongoing development of curriculum content and training materials to ensure programmes remain engaging, ambitious, responsive to sector needs, and aligned with inspection frameworks.

Mentoring & Learner Support

• Oversee the strategic planning, coordination, and delivery of mentor training and support frameworks for school-based and employer-based mentors.
• Establish and quality assure effective pastoral support systems for trainees and apprentices to promote wellbeing, resilience, and successful programme completion.
• Account for and manage attendance monitoring systems and early intervention strategies to maximise learner engagement, progress, and retention.
• Develop institutional strategies to support trainees and apprentices to overcome barriers to participation and achievement.

Assessment, Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Oversee and quality assure assessment processes for trainee teachers and apprentices in line with programme requirements, funding rules, and awarding body expectations.
• Maintain accountability for accurate learner progress records, monitoring systems, and reporting processes.
• Lead the implementation and delivery of robust quality assurance frameworks across the Apprenticeship Academy.
• Direct and drive programme evaluation, self-assessment reporting (SAR), and continuous school/provider improvement activities.

Recruitment, Growth & Employer Partnerships

• Drive and manage recruitment strategies for trainee teachers and apprentices, significantly increasing learner intake and numbers.
• Cultivate, secure, and maintain high-value strategic partnerships with schools, employers, and wider stakeholders to expand the organisation’s footprint.
• Lead on income generation by identifying new funding streams, commercial opportunities, and growing employer-led partnership income.
• Direct the design and implementation of a meaningful careers education and progression offer within the Apprenticeship Academy and SCITT.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (MEASURABLE SUCCESS INDICATORS)

• Growth in Recruitment: Demonstrable increase in recruitment numbers and cohort sizes for both the Apprenticeship Academy and SCITT programmes.
• Partnership Expansion: Measurable growth in active employer partnerships, school networks, and external stakeholder contracts.
• Learner Outcomes: High retention, completion, and positive destination rates across all cohorts.
• Quality Outcomes: Highly positive Ofsted inspection findings, internal quality assurance outcomes, and awarding body reviews.
• Financial Sustainability: Successful generation of new income streams and maximisation of apprenticeship funding allocations.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience within Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) or apprenticeship provision sector.
• Experience of leading, developing, and quality assuring high-quality teaching and training programmes within education or skills settings.
• Experience of senior leadership and strategic decision-making roles within the education sector.
• Strong understanding of curriculum design, sequencing, and adapting provision to meet learner and employer needs.
• Experience of learner assessment, tracking progress, and using data strategically to inform interventions and improve institutional outcomes.
• Deep understanding of quality assurance processes, self-evaluation, and compliance with external standards (e.g. awarding bodies, Ofsted inspection frameworks).
• Ability to design and manage effective pastoral support, safeguarding, and attendance monitoring systems.
• Proven track record of implementing strategies that successfully improve engagement, attendance, and learner retention.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build, sustain, and leverage professional relationships across a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, including delivering high-stakes presentations and training sessions.
• Good understanding of safeguarding principles and a clear commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• Ability to manage competing priorities effectively in a hybrid, leadership-driven working environment.

Desirable

• Direct experience working with Ofsted inspection frameworks and Apprenticeship Frameworks/Standards.
• Expertise in apprenticeship funding rules, compliance, and awarding organisation requirements.
• Experience designing or delivering multi-provider mentor training programmes.
• Understanding of the Early Career Framework (ECF) or teacher development pathways.
• Formal Apprenticeship Assessor Qualification or formal Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) qualifications.