About this role
With significant change across the horticulture industry and ambitious plans for continued development at the College — including our prestigious RHS programmes and higher-level FdSc courses — we are excited about the future. Over the last four years, our horticulture curriculum has more than doubled in size, and we are now looking to expand our diverse teaching team to meet growing student demand and support the sector in developing the next generation of skilled horticultural professionals.
This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated and knowledgeable Lecturer in Horticulture to join a thriving and forward-thinking department. The successful candidate will deliver highly effective teaching, learning and assessment, supporting students to maximise their potential and make positive progress towards timely achievement, further study and employment.
The role could include delivery across a range of provision, including study programmes, apprenticeships and adult learning, with some teaching at our satellite centres in Brighton and Hastings.
Our award-winning destination garden, One Garden Brighton, provides an inspiring showcase for our students. Combined with the diverse range of gardens across the Plumpton College campus, this helps cement our position as a centre of excellence for horticulture and creates an exciting opportunity for both experienced teachers and industry professionals considering a move into education.
“Becoming a lecturer at Plumpton College offered me the chance to give something back, advise young entrants coming into the industry and allowed me to pass on my passion... which I hope has had a real impact on the students I teach... to play a part in their journey is a unique opportunity for anyone.”
(Lecturer & PGCE Trainee)
What you’ll be doing
You will:
Deliver high-quality teaching, learning and assessment in horticulturePlan and assess lessons to a consistently high standardUse digital tools and resources to enhance the learner experienceSupport student attendance, engagement, progress and achievementProvide constructive feedback to help students improve continuouslyContribute to programme review, quality improvement planning and standardisation meetingsMonitor programme KPIs and contribute to student progress reviewsSupport internal verification and awarding organisation processesAct as a personal tutor, tracking progress and supporting learner developmentContribute to parents’ evenings and stakeholder updates where requiredWork collaboratively with employers and external stakeholders to ensure curriculum relevanceSupport student recruitment campaigns, college events and promotional activitiesPromote equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding in all aspects of the roleMaintain accurate destination data to support self-assessment and quality improvementEngage fully in CPD, appraisals and the College’s Industry Insights programmeWhat we’re looking for
We are looking for someone who can bring both subject expertise and a strong commitment to student success. You should have:
A degree, professional qualification, or equivalent extensive professional experienceA relevant teaching qualification for the level of programme, or a willingness to work towards oneExperience of teaching and assessing, with the ability to deliver consistently good or outstanding lessonsExtensive sector or industry experience and strong specialist horticulture knowledgeExcellent communication and interpersonal skillsLevel 2 or higher qualifications in English and maths, or equivalent competencyStrong IT skillsA flexible, adaptable and solution-focused approachA clear understanding of student needs and how to support them effectivelyA strong commitment to safeguarding and student welfareThe ability to develop curriculum content and teaching resources within your specialismEvidence of raising standards and achieving strong outcomesA collaborative approach and a desire to work as part of a high-performing teamA genuine passion for supporting students to succeedDesirable:
Supervisory or team leader qualification and/or experience