Principal Lecturer and Head of Department of Primary Education

Location: St John’s Campus

Closing Date: Sunday 23 April 2023

Interview Date: Friday 12 May 2023 

The University of Worcester (UW) has long been noted for its high quality and innovative provision in Education. As a good provider of ITE across all our provision, we are nationally recognised for our overall quality and high sustained employment rates of our training teachers. We were also successful in being accredited by DfE to deliver ITT from 2024 and are looking to grow our provision. In this context, the Institute of Education is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual to support our vision within the University in relation to the Primary phase of education. In particular, the post holder is expected to contribute to the quality of the Institute’s academic provision and influence the delivery of excellent, evidence-based, relevant education. 

An enthusiastic and excellent leader and manager with relevant experience is sought to take on the role of Head of the Centre for Primary Education within the Institute of Education. The successful applicant will be a member of the Institute of Education Senior Leadership Team, contributing actively and positively to the strategic development and the provision of excellence in learning and teaching within the Institute. They will have responsibility for leading our committed and highly successful Primary ITE team, across a range of Initial Teacher Education programmes to include PGCE Primary, Undergraduate Primary ITE and academic awards in tutoring. In addition, they will contribute to the strategy for diversification including developments in consultancy, partnership and income generation, research and international activity within the Department. Sustaining and developing our high-quality provision is a central feature, including ensuring achievement of high-quality outcomes for Ofsted inspections of ITT. Similarly engaging with national developments in Primary Education and leading the team in new areas and initiatives will be important. The successful appointee will have excellent interpersonal skills, be creative and forward looking, as well as being able to lead and manage a large team effectively. They will have the ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with other senior colleagues and the Head of the School, as part of the leadership team, and to participate in the strategic developments within UW. Being able to take significant responsibility and eager to have an active part in the development of the School of Education, as a whole, will be key. The ability to form and sustain positive and effective working relationships with staff, students, teachers, schools, MATs and partner institution colleagues, other professionals, and outside agencies is a key part of the role. Evidence of commitment to research and publication will be an asset.

Background Information 

The School of Education is a large and vibrant School which comprises of four Departments; the Department for Children and Families, Department for Primary Education, Department for Secondary & Post-compulsory Education and the Department for Education & Inclusion. Our overarching mission is to engage in high quality, relevant and informed learning and teaching, underpinned by excellent research. We aim to produce inspirational leaders in education in its broadest sense and produce highly skilled and excellent graduates who will make a positive contribution to society. Our work supports and upholds the overall aims of the University Strategic Plan and we are committed to providing outstanding education and continuing professional development. We are at an exciting time in our development and aspire to continue to build on the excellent progress we have already achieved.

We also provide support for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education for colleagues in the University, across the broad range of our provision in all our academic Schools. In addition, we provide opportunities to develop leadership and management and mentoring and coaching provision for a broad range of colleagues in diverse roles in schools and other educational settings across all phases of education.

Our wide range of programmes already contribute significantly to the education, training and development of professionals working with children from early childhood, the wider school-work force, initial teacher training and postgraduate development for a wide variety of professionals in this field. We are, and continue to be at the forefront in developing programmes, which address the needs of professionals working in services for children, young people and adults.

As a large Institute, there are over 650 students training to be teachers at undergraduate and postgraduate level; significant numbers of students undertaking undergraduate programmes such as early childhood, education studies and special educational needs courses; and those undertaking full and part-time Foundation Degrees in early childhood, learning support and learning and teaching; and around 200 students undertaking Masters or other postgraduate level work. We also have a growing number of full and part-time PhD students in Education. 

Working together, with over 500 schools, MATs and colleges, we aim to motivate and empower our students to reach their full potential through excellent, innovative teaching and high-quality placements in order to make a transformational contribution to local communities and wider society. All our provision is based on the strong principles of exceptional partnership and developing reflective professional practice. We have developed strong partnerships locally, regionally, and nationally and we embrace new and exciting developments in a range of provision from Early Years through to Further and Higher Education.

The IoE already has an increasingly diverse academic portfolio including Foundation Degrees for the wider educational and early years workforce; undergraduate provision in Teacher Training, Early Childhood and Education Studies; Primary, Secondary and Post-Compulsory PGCE programmes and a range of other school based teacher training through SCITT and School Direct routes, an extensive postgraduate education programme which consists of school-based Masters programmes as well as other taught provision; and research degrees provision including MPhil/PhD and PhD by portfolio. The IoE has a very strong profile in gaining, and successfully delivering, externally funded work which also include a number of contracts in the field of school improvement as well as working with middle and senior leaders. 

Following a successful submission to the REF (2021) there continues to be a strong and growing research culture in the IoE with a focus on research that informs practice and in particular, but not exclusively, the teaching and learning that we offer. All academics are expected to contribute actively to this important agenda, and we are committed to working towards a sustainable research environment, which supports staff at all stages of their careers to develop as researchers and also to enhance a research culture which is vital and motivating.  

The quality of our programmes and our reputation is rated very highly regionally, nationally and internationally. Initial Teacher Education has regularly achieved exceptional grades in its Ofsted Inspections with Primary ITE, Secondary ITE & FE all being graded as good with outstanding provision.

From 1 August 2023, the salary range for this role will increase to £56,021 - £64,914, with the opportunity to progress to £68,857.

Informal queries are welcome and should be directed to Sarah Holland at s.holland@worc.ac.uk.