SDP - Curriculum Manager

SDP Curriculum Manager

Recruiting on behalf of a leading creative education and training provider

Location: Northeast London
Salary: £43,000 FTE (£34,400 actual salary)
Hours: 28 hours per week, over 4 days
Contract: Permanent, part-time
Start date: 1 November 2026

We are recruiting on behalf of an established and highly regarded creative education and training provider with more than 25 years' experience of delivering education, training and employment opportunities to young people and adults.

The organisation is committed to developing talent, transforming lives and creating careers, with a strong focus on vocational education, apprenticeships, traineeships and personal development.

The opportunity

We are looking for an ambitious and inspirational SDP Curriculum Manager to lead the development and delivery of an established personal development curriculum for learners aged 16–19.

The Self Development Programme (SDP) is a core part of the organisation's 16–19 Study Programme. It sits alongside vocational education and is designed to help young people develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to build positive relationships, navigate the world around them and lead purposeful lives.

The existing programme covers a broad range of subjects including relationships, identity, sexual health, mental health, politics, citizenship, equality, media, religion and ethics, finance, climate and sustainability, as well as emerging social and cultural issues.

The programme has a strong track record of success, including an Outstanding judgement for personal development from Ofsted.

This is therefore not simply a role focused on delivering an existing scheme of work. We are looking for a curriculum leader who can protect what works, identify opportunities for improvement and take the programme forward.

About the role

You will lead the design, development and delivery of SDP across the 16–19 Study Programme.

You will:

• Teach approximately 12–14 hours per week.
• Lead and develop the SDP tutor.
• Keep the curriculum current, relevant, inclusive and appropriately challenging.
• Use learner voice, research, current affairs and external expertise to inform curriculum development.
• Ensure learning is thoughtfully sequenced and adapted for different learners.
• Facilitate difficult and sensitive conversations confidently and appropriately.
• Create an environment where young people can question, disagree, reflect and develop their thinking safely and respectfully.
• Oversee SDP resources and delivery for subcontracted Study Programme provision.
• Support the development and delivery of an appropriate PSHE curriculum within the organisation's independent school.
• Contribute to the continued development and quality of personal development provision across the organisation.

About you

We are looking for an excellent educator and ambitious curriculum thinker who believes strongly in the potential of personal development education to make a meaningful difference to young people's lives.

You will have substantial successful experience of designing and/or delivering education, personal development, PSHE or related learning for young people, with evidence of engaging learners effectively with complex and sensitive subject matter.

You will understand the pressures and opportunities facing young people today and be curious about the changing world they are growing into.

You may already be an experienced curriculum leader, or you may have developed and delivered elements of this kind of education and be ready to take on greater responsibility.

Above all, we are looking for someone who wants to lead, question, create and improve — not simply maintain.

You will ideally have:

• A relevant degree or professional qualification.
• Level 2 qualifications in English and maths.
• A recognised teaching qualification is highly desirable.
• Experience of working with young people, ideally aged 16–19.
• Experience designing, developing or delivering PSHE, personal development, citizenship, pastoral or related education.
• Confidence across a range of topics including careers education, politics, gender identity, inclusion, citizenship, community, society and sexual health.
• Strong curriculum development and planning skills.
• The ability to facilitate challenging conversations while maintaining appropriate structure, boundaries and safeguarding.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Why join?

This is an opportunity to join a creative and values-led organisation where staff are encouraged to share ideas, innovate and use their professional expertise.

The organisation offers a supportive and collaborative working environment, with a strong emphasis on developing both learners and staff.

Benefits include:

• Company pension scheme
• Healthcare cashback
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Professional development opportunities
• Staff social events
• Interest-free emergency or career development loans
• Free on-site lunches during term time
• Employee assistance programme

The organisation also welcomes industry professionals looking to move into teaching through a funded teacher-training route, including a period of reduced teaching time and full pay while undertaking training.

Safeguarding and safer recruitment

The organisation is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for learners, staff and visitors.

All appointments are subject to appropriate safer-recruitment checks, which may include satisfactory references, enhanced DBS clearance, identity and qualification verification, right-to-work checks and other pre-employment vetting.

Shortlisted candidates may be subject to an online search in line with current safeguarding requirements.

Apply

If you are an ambitious educator, curriculum leader or personal development specialist who wants to shape an innovative programme for young people, we would be keen to hear from you.

Apply now to be considered for this exciting opportunity.

Please note that candidates must be eligible to work in the UK. This is a London-based role and cannot be undertaken remotely

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