Background

Our client are responsible primarily for the delivery of A Level, AS, GCSE and BTEC Science courses. They have a track record of achieving strong results which places the company in the top 5% nationally for A level progress. Historically, Sociology is one of the best performing subjects within the company. Its results place it within the top 10% nationally and they are looking for a dedicated and capable individual to continue this trend.

The post of Lecturer involves considerable subject-based and pedagogic knowledge and understanding, and it is therefore essential that the post holder has a motivation for keeping themselves up-to-date with developments in their professional area and also in the practices of teaching and learning. Lecturing is more than just teaching; it includes all aspects of the learning process, including preparation and planning, and the assessment and evaluation of students.  All post holders are expected to consistently review and assess their performance alongside colleagues and engage in positive and critical debate on pedagogic issues. All lecturers must be committed to inclusive learning and ensuring that they take on the very best practice to meet individual learner needs including the promotion of equal opportunities.  All staff are required to implement policies. Further Education is an ever-changing service and all staff are expected to participate constructively in activities and to adopt a flexible approach to their work.  This job description will be reviewed annually during the appraisal process and will be varied in the light of the business needs of the company.

Main Purpose Of The Post

The main purpose of the job is to ensure the retention and achievement of students through the delivery of good practice in teaching and learning.  The Lecturer will teach, develop and improve programmes of study in subjects and courses relevant to the post-holder’s knowledge, qualifications and experience.

Duties Specific To The Post

All Lecturers have a generic list of duties (see below).  Duties specific to the Lecturer in Sociology:

• Teaching Sociology across a range of programmes including GCSE and A Level.

Generic Duties

Recruitment of Students

• Participate in open evenings and recruitment activities to ensure that potential applicants and students receive accurate information and guidance.
• Interview potential applicants and contribute to the interviewing schedules.
• Contribute to the development, promotion and delivery of the marketing and recruitment strategies.
• Carry out student inductions and contribute to the design of induction programmes.
• Carry out academic progress reviews, including the completion of necessary documents.
• Where appropriate act as a named tutor and liaise with the Attendance Co-ordinators to ensure the attendance, retention and achievement of students.
• Keep up-to-date with student support and learning support arrangements, ensuring students have full information and making appropriate referrals.
• Where appropriate ensure that basic skills initial and diagnostic assessments, are undertaken and that students receive effective learning support.
• Ensure that resources within your subject area are kept up-to-date and accessible to students and other staff in liaison with the curriculum managers and the Learning and Resource Centres.
• Prepare students for employability, career progression and/or further education and training.
• Produce reports and attend events to provide information to parents, employers and potential students.
• Contribute, where appropriate, to the enrichment programme for students including work experience and volunteering.
  • Prepare schemes of work, lesson plans and resource materials for teaching programmes.
  • Teach across a range of programmes (see above).
  • Utilise IT and e-learning effectively to deliver elements of the curriculum.
  • Where appropriate integrate the delivery and assessment of English and maths into the curriculum and deliver Functional Skills if required.
  • To ensure that students attend and achieve on all areas of their study programmes including maths and English and work experience.
  • Prepare assessment plans and schedules and ensure students are aware of your expectations.
  • Implement the assessment and homework policies.
  • Attend team meetings, staff meetings and events as directed by managers.
  • Keep records up-to-date, including the completion of registers & other required documentation, such as assessment tracking, predicted grade & case conferencing information currently recorded.
  • Liaise with colleagues to ensure that new members of staff are fully apprised of requirements.
  • Carry out student questionnaires and elicit student feedback on the quality of teaching and learning.
  • Contribute to programme reviews including reviews of your subject area and the setting, implementation and monitoring of action plans.
  • Set targets for success/retention/attendance & join in the performance management programme.
  •       Participate in activities, such as projects on the improvement of teaching and learning, as required.
  • Keep knowledge and skills up-to-date through self-study and undertake staff development and secondments relevant to professional needs.
  • Participate in the staff development programme.
  • Take an active part in the appraisal and mentoring processes.
  • Promote Equality and Diversity and implement the Equal Opportunities Policy.
  • Provide a secure/safe/friendly learning setting including implementation of Health & Safety Policy.
  • Complete all documents necessary to comply with Personnel policies, e.g. agency lecturer booking forms, sickness forms, appraisal forms, etc. and ensure all staffing records are kept up-to-date.
  • Carry out any other duties commensurate with the scale and grade of the post.

Induction and Support for Students

Design and Delivery of Programmes

Curriculum

Quality

Other

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant subject area
• Teaching qualification at minimum Level 5 recognised by the FE sector (e.g. PGCE, DET)** or willingness and ability to work towards one

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience of teaching Sociology up to Level 3, including delivery of A-Level
• Ability to teach another subject (for example, Psychology)
• Up to date knowledge of the relevant subject area
• Good communication skills, written and verbal
• Understanding of the importance of Equality and Diversity and Safeguarding in education
• The ability to engage and inspire students aged 16-19.

Paul Feldman is the National Skills Agency Data Protection Officer. Your data will be stored until notice is given by you for it to be removed. Our Data Protection Policy will be forwarded to you on request. As we get a high number of applications we may be unable to give feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We will retain your details to  keep you informed of other opportunities. National Skills Agency Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy and is an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.