Progression Lead: Higher Education
Durham Sixth Form Centre, Durham, County Durham, DH1 1SG14 days remaining to apply
Job start date
2 June 2026
Closing date
3 March 2026 at 9am
Date listed
17 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time, part time: 37 hrs/week, Whole Time OR Term-time plus 5 days (Part time considered)
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Grade 7 SCP 15-22, £30,024 - £33,699 whole time (£26,559 - £29,810 pro rata equivalent)
What skills and experience we're looking for
Thank you for your interest in the role of Progression Lead: Higher Education at Durham Sixth Form Centre. This is a pivotal position within our award-winning Progression Team, where we ensure that every student is empowered to navigate their journey toward an ambitious and fulfilling future.
At Durham Sixth Form Centre, our students are motivated, curious, and highly ambitious. As the largest post-16 school in the North East, we support approximately 1,800 students in transitioning to some of the most competitive destinations in the UK and beyond. We are looking for an exceptional professional to lead on these critical pathways, ensuring our students are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and edge required to succeed in a global landscape.
What Makes This Role Exciting?
Champion Elite Progression: Lead on high-level progression strategies, including applications to our most ambitious pathways.
Innovative Engagement: Coordinate and facilitate high-level enrichment, masterclasses, and external partnerships that bring the worlds of higher education and professional industries directly to our students.
Dedicated Student Advocacy: Act as a specialist advocate for students, providing expert 1:1 guidance and tailored interventions that bridge the gap between academic potential and successful transition.
Outstanding National Reputation: Join an ‘Outstanding’ school with a national reputation for excellence, holding the Quality in Careers Standard for over a decade and the Investors in People: Platinum award.
We are looking for someone who:
Inspires High Aspirations: Has the vision to inspire both students and colleagues, fostering a culture where ‘reaching high’ is the standard.
Navigates Complex Pathways: Possesses a deep understanding of the UCAS process, competitive admissions tests and the evolving landscape of higher-level apprenticeships.
Delivers with Precision: Displays exceptional organisational skills in managing complex application cycles, large-scale events and detailed student data.
Builds Strategic Partnerships: Develops professional relationships with elite universities, corporate partners, families and staff to create a seamless network of support.
Communicates with Impact: Can present with clarity and confidence to large groups while maintaining the empathy and listening skills required for sensitive 1:1 guidance.
Promotes Inclusive Success: Shares our unwavering belief that every young person, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to access the very best progression routes.
What the school offers its staff
Why choose us?
Be a part of an Investors in People: Platinum [Employer of the Year 2025] organisation.
We are a flourishing high-performing sixth form where students achieve and exceed their potential.
Be part of a team that’s ambitious, supportive, and driven by purpose.
Benefit from personalised CPD, leadership coaching, and genuine career progression.
Flexible working opportunities
At our Trust, we deeply value the health and wellbeing of our staff, recognising that a happy, supported team is essential to delivering the best outcomes for our students. We are committed to fostering a positive working environment where staff feel cared for, empowered, and equipped to thrive both personally and professionally.
Pension scheme
All contracted members of staff will be automatically enrolled into either the Teachers' Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme (whichever is appropriate).
National terms and conditions
We offer national terms and conditions in line with the School Teacher’s Pay and Conditions document (STPCD) and Burgundy Book for teachers or the NJC Green Book for support staff.
Training and development
Professional development opportunities aimed at the continuous process of enhancing your skills, knowledge and competencies discussed with your appraiser on an individual basis.
City centre parking
Durham City Centre barriered private parking for staff whilst at work which extends to free all year round parking, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Staff wellbeing working group
For the staff, by the staff, our wellbeing working group meet at least 3 times a year and is open to all members of staff. To date the group has raised money for charity, built a Staff Wellbeing portal, organised socials, sporting events and family days out.
Healthcare services
All staff benefit from a range of comprehensive health and wellbeing services including: GP service which gives staff the access to a General Practitioner around the clock, 24/7, access to nurse support services and physiotherapy provided face-to-face at times, dates and locations convenient to our staff.
Live webinars
Online webinars for Mental Health First Aid and Stress Coaching are available to staff which run frequently throughout the year with a choice of dates and times.
Health and Wellbeing
Free Flu vaccines, menopause counselling and access to financial wellbeing coaches through our staff absence insurance policy.
Daily breakfast
We provide a selection of hot drinks, cereals, croissants, toast and jams complimentary each morning in the refectory for staff and students.
Lifestyle
Our lifestyle benefits include shopping discounts with hundreds of online and high street retailers and discounted gym membership.
Free Will Writing Service
Organised through the Financial Guys, all staff are provided with a free single basic Will which also includes a 50% discount for partners.
Blue Light
Blue Light Card have now added Teaching and Support staff to the list of careers that are able to apply for their card. When applying please upload your staff ID badge as evidence.
Working From Home
We are currently trialling working from home. This arrangement supports flexible working and recognises that some tasks, such as planning, marking and resource development, can be carried out more effectively in a quiet, uninterrupted environment.
Further information about the job
The position of Progression Lead arises as part of our development planning to ensure continuity of our excellent provision. We firmly believe that a student's progression journey, in addition to their academic achievements, is fundamental to securing their aspirational career goals. In support of this, we believe that it is essential to ensure that our students are equipped with the skills and experiences they need in order to be successful in the workplace in the 21st Century.
We are approaching our 11th year as an award-winning team and have recently been re-accredited with the Quality in Careers Standard Award (QiCS). Our comprehensive Progression offer is underpinned by the Careers Development Industry Framework and the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, which we are working towards fully achieving. Our most recent Quality in Careers Standard report highlighted:
“Durham Sixth Form Centre has robust systems and processes in place to support its career programme, underpinned by strong strategic leadership and governance. Data analysis and insights are used effectively to ensure support for students is targeted and timely, including arranging for support with stakeholders and external agencies. Stakeholder engagement in the careers programme is strong, and parents and students speak very positively about the support they receive. The organisation of the Progression Team allows for specialist support for specific sector areas, and this knowledge and expertise is shared across the team.”
Meet the Team
We are a dynamic, forward thinking and experienced team of experts who actively pursue innovative practices and opportunities through collaborative and partnership work with DWP, HMRC and local SMEs. In collaboration with the North East Combined Authority, and as part of our College and Cornerstone Hubs, we continue to develop our network of over 100 businesses, apprenticeship providers, universities and other organisations, to ensure that all of our students have access to opportunities to make competitive applications.
Our student-centred approach to careers education integrates the specialist knowledge of our Pastoral team, our Student Support team and our curriculum colleagues. We also work closely with our students offering impartial information, advice and guidance to ensure that they are fully informed of their progression pathways and have a good understanding of relevant labour market intelligence and opportunities. We support students in carrying out relevant work-related learning to develop essential employability skills.
Thank you for considering this role at Durham Sixth Form Centre. We look forward to learning more about you and hopefully welcoming you to our team. We would strongly encourage candidates interested in this role to visit us in advance and apply early. Should you wish to discuss this role further, or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Best regards,
Lee Bone
Vice Principal
lee.bone@durhamsixthformcentre.org.uk
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Durham Sixth Form Centre
- School type
- Academy, ages 16 to 19
- Education phase
- Sixth form or college
- School size
- 1708 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 16 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Durham Sixth Form Centre website
- Email address
- emma.tallentire@providencelearningpartnership.org.uk
Welcome to Durham Sixth Form Centre and thank you for your interest in the advertised post. I hope the following information gives you an insight into our school.
Durham Sixth Form Centre is a large post-16 provider based in the North East of England, with approximately 1,700 students on roll. We are situated in the middle of Durham City centre, a couple of minutes walk from both the bus and railway stations. Students generally enrol at Durham Sixth Form Centre from over 60 different secondary schools from
across County Durham, Sunderland and into Northumberland.
In 2017 we were graded an ‘outstanding’ post-16 academy, this is reflected in our recent Ofsted monitoring visit
report. Our students have an excellent record of success, which they work hard to achieve. Trends over time demonstrate the following headlines:
In academic qualifications:
● Progress (VA) has been consistently above the National Average (NA) and was graded above average in the
2025 performance tables.
● A level average point score (APS) is significantly above the NA and places us in the top 6% of schools and
colleges nationally.
● 71% of students achieved A*- B A level grades in the summer 2024.
In applied general qualifications:
● Progress (VA) has been consistently above the NA and was graded above average in the 2025 performance
tables.
● Overall attainment (APS) is consistently above the NA and is ranked in the top 2% of schools and Academies
nationally.
We recently celebrated 110 years in education. We are housed in various buildings, often referred to as a mini university setting. Our site comprises a 1913 former girls’ grammar school, which was converted to sixth form
accommodation in 1983. In addition to the original building, there is now a science specific wing; a 200 seated theatre; our Hunter resource centre; visual arts centre and Freeman’s Quay leisure centre. In 2019, we expanded further to include our digital media centre, which houses a grab-and-go café, conference facility, TV studio, small cinema room
and additional classroom space. We also have a dedicated Art Gallery on site, the Dead Dog Gallery, with an ever changing exhibition and community programme in place.
Through sustained effort, and a clear focus and direction, Durham Sixth Form Centre is a truly embracing and dynamic organisation. We are committed to promoting the principles of equal opportunities and we aspire to an environment where all our students and employees can develop their potential. We have a strong professional development
programme and have achieved CPD Mark accreditation, Investors in People Gold and Governor Mark among others. Our most recent Ofsted inspection report said ‘The Headteacher and the highly skilled leadership team have established a culture in which students flourish and grow. Consequently, there is a healthy appetite for learning and achievement in an environment that demands high expectations for academic, vocational and personal excellence’.
Our academy operates according to the Values of our Trust which we feel help to determine the culture, ethos and atmosphere of Durham Sixth Form Centre.
If you are energetic and passionate about post-16 education and have the skills and aptitude required for the role then
we would welcome your application and look forward to hearing from you.
Arranging a visit to Durham Sixth Form Centre
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email emma.tallentire@providencelearningpartnership.org.uk.
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