Head of Agriculture

Competitive Salary

Closing date: 9am on Thursday 30 January 2025

Interview date: week commencing Monday 10 or Monday 17 February 2025

As a newly united organisation, we’re bringing together the best of both colleges to create an even stronger learning experience, with enhanced resources, a broader range of courses and industry-standard facilities spread across two beautiful campuses. With our combined expertise and resources, Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College is now one of the most dynamic and versatile further education providers in the region. We are a strong, responsive and ambitious organisation with the goal of equipping our learners with the skills, knowledge and confidence to excel in their chosen fields and navigate the ever-evolving world of work.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Agriculture to lead our agricultural programmes. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategic vision for the department, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning and assessment. This role is pivotal in enhancing our agricultural education offer and building strong industry partnerships to support student success and employability.

We have appointed FE Associates to support us with this important appointment. Prior to submitting an application, interested parties are advised to arrange an initial conversation with our recruitment partner, by emailing Claire.Gehlig@fea.co.uk, to discuss the role before the closing date.

Dear colleague,

Head of Agriculture

Thank you for expressing an interest in the role of Head of Agriculture at Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College.

Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College was formed following a merger between Weymouth College and Kingston Maurward College which took effect on 1 August 2024, following an extensive process initiated by the Department for Education and the Further Education Commissioner. I am delighted to have recently been appointed the permanent Principal and CEO of the newly merged College with effect from 1 December 2024.

Located on the stunning Jurassic Coast and in the beautiful Dorset countryside, together the College’s two campuses can now offer a broader range of courses, from land-based studies to A Levels, vocational courses and apprenticeships, with exceptional levels of support to ensure students are ready for life and the world of work.

The merger has undoubtedly created a stronger and far more resilient College which will be able to build on existing partnerships with local businesses and community organisations to ensure the curriculum is cohesive and contemporary and that students leave the College with not only the skills employers need but also the attitudes and ambition to be truly exceptional employees. The College has an extensive commercial offer, across a very diverse range of areas, which complement the College’s curriculum offer and give students opportunities to gain vital skills in a real world environment.

The two existing sites are very different and distinctive and there is much to be done on the alignment of systems and process, and the development of a one College culture over the next year or so. We are just in the process of defining a new mission, vision and set of values for the College and developing a new brand to propel the College into the future. These are exciting times and the perfect opportunity to join the College as it realises the wealth of opportunities provided by the merger.

A dynamic and experienced Head of Agriculture is required to lead our agricultural and land-based engineering programmes. You will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategic vision for the department, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning and assessment. This role is pivotal in enhancing our agricultural education offer and building strong industry partnerships to support student success and employability.

I’m looking for enthusiastic, open-minded, team-focused individuals that align with the College’s dynamic and innovative culture. Is that you?

This is an important appointment and to help us to find the right person, we have retained the support of FE Associates. Prior to submitting an application, interested parties are encouraged to arrange an initial conversation with our lead consultant, by emailing Claire.Gehlig@fea.co.uk, to discuss the role before the closing date.

I look forward to reviewing your application and exploring the possibility of having you join Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College in this important role. We are excited about the opportunities the merger presents for our College and the role we play in our students' success and our local and regional communities.

Kate Wills
Principal and CEO

If you have the very special qualities and the passion to make a real a difference to the future of our students and business, then we would like to hear from you.

Please complete the registration form below to access the candidate information pack, application form and the equality and diversity form.

NB:  Please ensure you complete all fields and click on both the Terms and Conditions check box as well as the Consent check box to enable access to the documents.

We have appointed FE Associates to help us find the right person.  Prior to submitting an application, interested parties are advised to arrange an initial conversation with our FE Associates lead consultant, by emailing Claire.Gehlig@fea.co.uk to discuss the role before the closing date.

Closing date: 9am on Thursday 30 January 2025

Interview date: week commencing Monday 10 or Monday 17 February 2025

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