Head of Health and Social Care

University Collegiate School, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL3 5AG

9 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  8 May 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  29 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full-time equivalent salary: Leadership 1 - 5
• Additional allowances:

  Leadership 1 - 5

Head of Health and Social Care job summary

If you are an experienced, forward‑thinking teacher who can lead high‑quality classroom practice, design coherent curricula across KS3 to KS5, and inspire pupils and colleagues to achieve excellence, we want to hear from you. Join University Collegiate Bolton and help us deliver outstanding outcomes and real world opportunities for our pupils.

About University Collegiate Bolton

University Collegiate Bolton is a mixed secondary school with a thriving sixth form, part of QUEST (A Church of England Schools Trust). We are a values driven academy committed to inclusion, high expectations and developing the whole pupil. Our culture is built on collaboration across the Trust, a focus on pupil wellbeing and a determination to close gaps so every pupil reaches their potential.

We follow the inspection framework that guides our continuous improvement work, and our current school priorities focus on strengthening curriculum provision, raising achievement across key stages, and ensuring excellent teaching and assessment practice throughout the school.

About the role

As Head of Health and Social Care you will be the school based lead and subject specialist for Health and Social Care across KS3, KS4 and KS5 (A Level, BTEC and Foundation programmes). This is a high impact role where you will:

• Lead the vision, planning and development of a coherent, sequenced curriculum that prepares pupils for further study, employment and real life application.
• Teach high quality lessons and model excellent classroom practice across Key Stages 3 to 5.
• Design and oversee rigorous assessment, tracking and internal moderation processes to ensure accurate reporting and to drive pupil progress.
• Recruit, mentor, and line manage department staff, providing targeted professional development and quality assurance through observations, work sampling and learning walks.
• Manage course delivery and administration for vocational and academic qualifications, liaising with awarding bodies and external partners.
• Build and maintain strong links with local employers, health providers, FE/HE partners and the community to develop enrichment, work experience and progression routes.

This role balances classroom leadership with strategic responsibility and offers the chance to make a measurable difference to pupil outcomes and departmental practice across the school and the Trust.

About you — the ideal candidate

We are seeking a committed leader who can combine excellent classroom practice with strong strategic thinking. You will bring:

• Deep subject knowledge in Health and Social Care and a clear understanding of requirements for GCSE, BTEC, A Level and Foundation courses.
• A proven track record of outstanding teaching, curriculum design and the use of assessment to drive improvement.
• Experience of coaching, mentoring, and managing colleagues to raise standards and share best practice.
• Strong data literacy and the ability to translate assessment information into effective interventions and curriculum decisions.
• A commitment to inclusive practice with experience adapting learning for pupils with SEND, disadvantaged pupils, and those with English as an additional language.
• High emotional intelligence, excellent communication skills and the ability to build productive relationships with pupils, parents, colleagues, and external partners.
• A positive, resilient approach to change and a desire to contribute to whole school and Trust improvement priorities.

If you hold Qualified Teacher Status and an honours degree, and are excited to develop as both a classroom practitioner and a department leader, you’ll thrive in this role.

What We Offer

At QUEST Academy Trust, we invest in our staff as much as in our pupils. Benefits include:

• Wellness Day: An additional day of leave to focus on your wellbeing and return refreshed
• Collaborative Working: Support from a dedicated Trust team across all our schools
• Comprehensive CPD: Excellent opportunities for professional growth and career advancement
• A welcoming, supportive environment where your contribution truly matters

See our benefits brochure for further details

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About University Collegiate School

• School type: Free School, ages 11 to 19
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 604 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: University Collegiate School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/university-collegiate-school

Join the University Collegiate School – Shape the Future of Education!

Are you a passionate and visionary curriculum leader ready to make a lasting impact? UCS invites you to become a key part of our vibrant family, leading curriculum development and embedding the unique UTC ethos across all key stages at University Collegiate School (UCS), Bolton. This is a rare opportunity to inspire young people from ages 11 to 19 within a Trust that values character, community, and academic excellence.

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