Vocational Curriculum Lead

Penketh High School is an oversubscribed community facing school that is determined to support the academic and holistic development of pupils in order that they leave the school with a strong skillset and positive life chances.  The culture of the school is underpinned by an academically rigorous curriculum, high expectations and standards, as well as a multitude of enrichment opportunities. All of these aspects of school life are aligned with the capabilities of our outstanding young people. 

The school is focused on providing the very best provision for pupils by supporting the professional development of staff, offering a comprehensive and focused CPD programme and encouraging staff to engage with external, nationally recognised professional qualifications. 

We are seeking to appoint an excellent classroom practitioner who is enthusiastic and highly organised to take on the overall leadership, internal verification and external assessment of the school's vocational courses. In recent years our vocational offer has increased significantly with a range of courses that support our ambitious academic core curriculum. Courses currently include Sport, Child Development, Design in the Built Environment, Food and Nutrition and Health and Social Care, but we are keen to explore further possibilities. A background in teaching vocational courses, and experience of the associated administrative processes, would be essential, but applications are welcome from candidates from all subject areas. The role will encompass the management of all aspects of the various vocational curricula and resources, as well as monitoring the quality and consistency of provision across the subject cluster. Working with the Vice Principals responsible for curriculum, teaching and learning and professional development, the successful candidate will take a lead role in supporting subject practitioners to develop their pedagogy and curriculum planning, supporting them to make the best use of curriculum subject mastery time.

The successful candidate would be responsible directly for the leadership and teaching of the Health and Social Care and Child Development courses.

A commitment to raising standards and forming positive relationships with pupils is essential, along with an attention to detail and an ability to communicate suitably with colleagues at all levels.

A successful candidate taking on this position would join a creative and supportive Curriculum Leadership Group, which plays a key role in driving improvement at the school. We are therefore seeking resourceful, motivated applicants, with a track record of outstanding classroom practice and evidence of effective leadership.           

We are keen to hear from candidates who:

• Have the ability to organise, inspire and motivate pupils through their teaching, supporting pupils to make progress and build a strong academic foundation to support improving outcomes.
• Are committed to continuously improving the quality of teaching and learning across all vocational subjects.
• Have a good understanding of the vocational curriculum.

At The Challenge Academy Trust, we are building a culture that champions better work and working lives across the Trust; a framework to support and develop our workforce from ‘hire to retire’. We are committed to providing a workload that is fair and reasonable, work environment where employee health and wellbeing are actively supported and promoted and structured personal and professional development. 

Our staff offer also includes: 

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme / Teachers’ Pension Scheme. 
• An Occupational Sick Pay Scheme (entitlements based on service). 
• Access to TCAT+ our Reward & Wellbeing platform, including access to retailer discounts, a car lease scheme, discounted healthcare cash plan, cycle to work scheme and online resources to support physical, emotional, professional, financial and social wellbeing. 
• Access to a comprehensive CPD framework though ‘Education Connect’, our professional development arm, and online resources from the National College’. 

The Challenge Academy Trust is committed to promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are made subject to an Enhanced DBS check. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer, and our employment policies, procedures and practices are regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with legislation. We are committed to creating a workplace culture that is inclusive, positive, and fair with opportunity for all.

All details and an application form can be found at www.penkethhigh.org For any further details please email hr@penkethhigh.org

Closing date: Thursday 27 November 2025