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
