Assistant Education Manager

At AE Talent Solutions, our mission is to connect exceptional talent with exceptional opportunities. We specialise in recruiting across the Employability, Skills, Further Education and Justice sectors, partnering with leading organisations to attract exceptional professionals.

We are delighted to be representing our client in the recruitment of an Assistant Education Manager based at HMP Onley.

About the Role

Are you an experienced education professional looking to progress into a leadership role?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading prison education provider where you'll play a key role in delivering high-quality education that changes lives. Working alongside the Education Manager and Senior Leadership Team, you will help shape the education provision, support teaching staff and ensure learners receive an engaging learning experience that prepares them for employment, further education and successful rehabilitation.

You'll oversee curriculum delivery across a range of vocational and academic subjects, promote continuous improvement and ensure education provision consistently meets Ofsted, Ministry of Justice and awarding body standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Education Manager with the day-to-day operational management of the education department.
• Deputise for the Education Manager in their absence.
• Lead curriculum delivery across Functional Skills, Vocational Training, Motor Mechanics, Art, Music, Media, Personal Development (P&D) and Personal & Social Development (PSD).
• Ensure outstanding standards of teaching, learning and assessment.
• Manage learner induction, enrolment and allocation across curriculum areas.
• Monitor learner attendance, engagement, behaviour and progression.
• Drive improvements in learner recruitment, retention, achievement and success rates.
• Monitor departmental KPIs and implement improvement plans.
• Analyse performance data and produce action plans to improve outcomes.
• Lead Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) and support External Quality Assurance (EQA) activity.
• Carry out lesson observations, learning walks and curriculum deep dives.
• Support the completion of the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
• Coach, mentor and develop teaching staff through CPD and performance management.
• Conduct appraisals, probation reviews and one-to-one meetings.
• Support recruitment, induction and onboarding of new education staff.
• Build effective relationships with prison staff, senior leaders, stakeholders and awarding organisations.
• Ensure compliance with Ofsted, Ministry of Justice, safeguarding, equality, diversity and prison security requirements.
• Deliver teaching sessions and provide classroom cover where required.
• Promote a positive, inclusive and learner-centred culture across the education department.
• Contribute to the continuous development of curriculum quality and learner experience.

About You

• Hold a recognised Level 5 Teaching Qualification (or above).
• Hold Maths and English at Level 3 (or equivalent).
• Hold an Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) qualification or be willing to achieve one.
• Have significant teaching experience within Further Education, Adult Learning or Vocational Education.
• Demonstrate experience managing staff and leading curriculum delivery.
• Possess a strong understanding of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF).
• Have excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Previous experience within prison education, secure environments or Ministry of Justice contracts would be advantageous.
• A Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager qualification and knowledge of adult education funding are desirable.
• In return, our client offers a competitive salary, generous annual leave, pension scheme, ongoing CPD, career progression opportunities, enhanced family-friendly benefits, life insurance, wellbeing support, free on-site parking and the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day.

If you're passionate about education, developing people and transforming lives through learning, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today through AE Talent Solutions for a confidential discussion about this exciting opportunity at HMP Onley.