The Head of Post-16 Teaching & Learning provides strategic leadership and quality assurance for all aspects of curriculum, pedagogy and qualification pathways across Dare2Dream's Post-16 Alternative Provision. This role ensures that every young person with SEND, including those receiving outreach, online education, or in-hub support, receives a high-quality, personalised and meaningful learning experience that supports progression and independence. You will champion inclusive teaching, neurodiversity-affirming practice, and trauma-informed approaches, ensuring that Dare2Dream consistently delivers outstanding learning outcomes.,

Provide strategic oversight of all Post-16 teaching, learning and curriculum planning across hubs, outreach and online learning environments.
Lead the design and continued refinement of a flexible, blended curriculum model that meets the needs of young people with Autism, ADHD, SEMH, OCD, EBSA and other complex SEND profiles.
Ensure the curriculum reflects Dare2Dream values: relational, personalised, aspirational and wellbeing-centred.
Align curriculum pathways with Functional Skills, GCSE, vocational options, and independence pathways, ensuring clear routes for learner progression. 2. Curriculum Quality and Standards
Oversee curriculum content, schemes of work and programme structures to ensure they meet awarding body requirements and the needs of learners receiving: o Outreach education (community-based 1:1) o Online learning via virtual classrooms o In-hub small-group sessions
Ensure curriculum pathways remain responsive, inclusive and trauma-informed.
Quality assure all teaching resources and materials so they are accessible for learners with sensory differences, anxiety, communication needs and literacy gaps.
Maintain and standardise curriculum expectations across all delivery modalities.,
Lead the strategic development of pedagogy across the Post-16 service, ensuring staff deliver high-impact, relationship-centred learning.
Coach and mentor Lead Tutors and teaching staff
Deliver CPD in areas such as: o Autism-inclusive teaching o Trauma-informed practice o Scaffolding and differentiation o Communication-supportive environments o Use of assistive technology in online and blended learning
Promote consistent, high-quality delivery across outreach, online and hub-based learning. 4. Assessment, Tracking & Progress
Lead on curriculum-aligned assessment processes, including diagnostics, baselines and ongoing progress measures.
Ensure online systems, hub delivery and outreach provision record progress consistently and accurately.
Use data to identify trends, inform curriculum adjustments, and highlight areas for improvement.
Contribute to EHCP reviews, providing curriculum-focused reports on learner development. 5. Exams & Access Arrangements
Oversee the strategic planning and coordination of all Post-16 exam activity across hubs, online provision and outreach learners.
Ensure compliance with JCQ regulations and awarding-body requirements.
Provide leadership and oversight on: o identifying learners requiring access arrangements o developing evidence for applications (e.g., anxiety profiles, cognitive assessments, SEND documentation) o ensuring appropriate arrangements are applied (rest breaks, extra time, smaller room, reader/scribe, supervised rest)
Liaise with examinations officers, delivery teams and external centres to ensure safe and suitable exam environments for learners with high anxiety, sensory needs or medical vulnerabilities.
Ensure learners receive preparation, desensitisation and supportive revision strategies appropriate to their SEND profile.
Oversee post-exam processes including result analysis and next-steps planning. 6. Partnership & Multi-Agency Collaboration
Work with the Head of Post 16 Manager to ensure curriculum pathways complement wellbeing, safeguarding and therapeutic support.
Liaise with Local Authorities, commissioning bodies, colleges, apprenticeship providers and community partners to widen Post-16 opportunities.
Represent teaching and learning at professional meetings and external quality assurance engagements.,
Lead on the ongoing development of Dare2Dream's blended curriculum model, ensuring relevance to modern learning environments.
Embed life-skills, employability, personal development and independence skills into pathways.
Champion digital learning innovation to strengthen engagement for learners with anxiety-based school avoidance.

Qualifications and
Teaching qualification (QTS/QTLS/DET or equivalent).
Strong experience teaching Post-16 learners with SEND in AP, FE or specialist Skills settings.
Proven expertise in curriculum development and quality assurance.
Deep understanding of ASD, SEMH, trauma-informed practice and inclusive pedagogy.
Experience developing Functional Skills / GCSE curriculum.
Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
Ability to coach and influence Desirable
Experience working across outreach, online and in-hub learning models.
Leadership or middle-management training (NPQLT, NPQML, coaching qualification).
Experience contributing to commissioning discussions or quality reviews with LAs.
Knowledge of EHCP processes, statutory duties and multi-agency working.

A strategic position shaping provision for young people with significant barriers to education.
The opportunity to innovate across blended learning models.
A highly supportive leadership environment where teaching excellence is valued. Benefits What's in it for you?
Access to over 9,000 perks & benefits through Perkbox (including freebies!
Highly competitive salary
Annual salary review
Annual holiday allocation of 23 days plus 8 bank holidays (based on full time hours)
Fully funded training and personal development
Provision of mobile phones and any other IT hardware you require
The support of experienced and highly qualified colleagues
Competitive pension scheme
The knowledge that you are contributing to the mental well-being of the local community
On the job training and an investment in your talent
A chance to climb the ladder within the company

The Dare2dream Foundation

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Head of Post-16 Teaching & Learning