Curriculum Manager – Sport - Dorset
Rockley Education
Location: Poole, Dorset
Salary: £41,909–£47,217
Closes: 11/6/25
Curriculum Manager – Sport at Rockley Education
Start Date: 21st August 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter (subject to notice period)
Salary: M2 (£41,909–£47,217) depending on experience
Working Pattern:
35 hours per week - 08:30 to 16:30 Monday to Friday, with flexibility for occasional evening or weekend work to support the curriculum area.
Annual Leave: 12 Weeks (Not in term time) holidays align with college closures and academic calendar.
Closing Date: 11th June 2025
Interviews Date: 17th June 2025
Rockley reserves the right to hold interviews sooner for the right candidate
The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references in line with Rockley safeguarding procedures.
Background
Rockley Education is seeking to appoint a well-qualified, enthusiastic and motivational leader to join our sixth form team as Curriculum Manager – Sport. This is a key leadership role, responsible for driving the development and delivery of our Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity (Outdoors), delivered in partnership with LeAF Studio School / Authentic Education.
This post would be ideal for:
- An experienced FE lecturer ready to take their next step into leadership
- Or a current Head of Department with a strong track record in vocational sport education at Level 3
At Rockley, our study programmes offer learners a truly vocational experience. We combine academic qualifications with National Governing Body (NGB) instructor awards, work experience, and industry-led training. We’re passionate about preparing students for successful futures — whether progressing to university or entering the sport and outdoor industry.
Rockley Education is part of the wider Rockley Group, established in 1976 and nationally recognised as UK’s premier provider of watersports training and school and group residential holidays. With education centres across Dorset, we deliver high-quality sixth form programmes that combine academic rigour with hands-on experience. For teachers and curriculum leaders, this offers a unique opportunity to lead in a setting where practical learning and academic ambition go hand in hand.
Purpose of the role
To lead, manage and develop Rockley’s sport education provision, with responsibility for the planning, delivery and quality assurance of the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity. The post-holder will:
- Drive curriculum improvement and innovation
- Oversee staffing, delivery models and learner outcomes
- Ensure provision remains responsive to both local needs and national sector developments
The role blends strategic leadership with operational management and a reduced teaching timetable. While the current delivery follows the Outdoors pathway, outdoor expertise is desirable but not essential — the priority is strong curriculum leadership across the broader vocational sport offer.
Looking ahead, Rockley is committed to evolving its curriculum in line with national developments, including the introduction of new Level 3 Sport qualifications. The Curriculum Manager will play a key role in shaping and leading this future curriculum offer, ensuring our programmes remain high-quality, industry-relevant, and responsive to learner needs.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Provide line management, mentoring, and support to the education team (Programme Leaders, teachers, tutors, instructors and support staff)
- Plan, deliver, monitor, and evaluate curriculum activity in line with business improvement plans.
- Lead curriculum development to ensure future-proofing of the provision as we evolve from the Outdoor Adventure pathway into broader vocational sport pathways.
- Maintain high standards of teaching and student achievement through consistent quality monitoring.
- Set and monitor staff and student performance targets against key KPIs: attendance, progress, retention, and destinations.
- Ensure efficient deployment of staff and resources.
- Ensure effective induction, CPD, appraisal and performance management of staff.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
- Teach consistently high-quality lessons.
- Lead lesson observations, standardisation meetings, learning walks and CPD.
- Promote innovative teaching methods, digital learning, and employer engagement where relevant.
- Ensure assessment and verification processes are valid, rigorous, and timely.
- Work with Programme Leaders to coordinate assignment schedules and assessment mapping.
- Use student data to monitor progress and drive timely intervention.
Curriculum Planning and Compliance
- Ensure the curriculum offer meets the requirements of awarding bodies, funding rules and Ofsted.
- Align curriculum content with business needs, the labour market and higher education progression routes.
- Manage timetabling, staff deployment and curriculum documentation.
- Oversee internal verification processes, including standardisation, sampling, and feedback.
Student Experience, Inclusion and Safeguarding
- Lead and oversee the delivery of an inclusive, high-quality student experience that supports learners to thrive personally, socially, and academically
- Oversee the planning and coordination of enrichment, tutorials, employer visits, and educational trips, working collaboratively with programme leaders and delivery staff
- Take an active role in student recruitment, including attendance at open events, enrolment, parent evenings, and transition activities
- Ensure pastoral support, attendance monitoring, and communication systems are effective and responsive to learner needs
- Promote a positive, inclusive culture that values diversity, supports wellbeing, and enables all students to succeed
- Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Rockley Education, with responsibility for managing safeguarding referrals and liaising with external agencies including our education partners’ SENDCO and safeguarding teams
- Time will be allocated to ensure the DSL can fulfil responsibilities alongside curriculum leadership duties
External Relationships
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with our education partners, to ensure seamless delivery, student support, and quality assurance across the programme
- Represent Rockley Education in all partnership communications, curriculum planning discussions, and joint student-facing activities with our education partners
- Maintain professional relationships with awarding bodies (e.g. NCFE), employers, feeder schools, and education networks
- Contribute to Rockley’s student recruitment strategy, supporting marketing campaigns, outreach, open days, and community events
- Ensure students access meaningful employer encounters, progression planning, and high-quality careers education, aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks
Why Join Rockley?
- Young people who are keen, happy, and motivated to learn
- Collaborative and supportive team environment of staff who genuinely want the best for our young people
- Competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement (12 weeks)
- Extensive professional development opportunities
- Staff social events
- Free use of all equipment and facilities
- Substantial discounts for family / children attending any Rockley course, activity or holiday
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free onsite parking
- Access to onsite Café and complimentary tea and coffee
Person Specification
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