Closing date: 21 October 2025
Welcome to Ada!
At Ada National College for Digital Skills, our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent. Through the quality of education we deliver, the depth of our industry partnerships and focus on diversity, we are changing the face of the tech sector, expanding the talent pipeline and transforming lives.
We are a specialist Further Education college, where every 16-19 student takes Computer Science and all of our diverse Higher Level and Degree Apprentices work in skills shortage disciplines in innovative, blue-chip companies. The digital skills gap is costing the UK economy an estimated £63 billion a year in lost GDP. Ada seeks to fill this skills gap by equipping young with the skills industry actually needs.
Ada was announced by the Prime Minister in December 2014; England’s first new FE College since 1993 and since then we’ve gone from strength to strength including a Good with Outstanding features in our first Ofsted Inspection. You will work with the Assistant Principal Learner Services to define, articulate and
implement our shared vision and values of the college to support learners with additional needs in achieving their expected outcomes. You will also work with the Dean of the Apprenticeship programme to ensure adult learners with additional needs are supported by teaching staff and in their work placements.
You will hold a key role in the college and are expected to demonstrate outstanding skills in working with the leadership team, parents and carers, external agencies and learners to implement the strategic vision of the college, working with these individuals and groups to ensure we provide a high quality of education to our learners with additional needs. You will be accountable for ensuring that exam access arrangements are organised to meet the needs of learners, annual reviews are completed for learners with EHCPs, ALS with the Apprenticeship team and work alongside the pastoral team and teaching staff to implement and make them aware of training and teaching strategies that support learners with additional needs, and that reasonable adjustments for these learners are in place. In addition to help administer the high needs funding claims with the Assistant Principal and Finance department and MIS.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive ALS strategy aligned with the college’s vision and values.
- Oversee the effective allocation and utilisation of resources, including High Needs and EHCP Funding.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of ALS interventions and initiatives, driving continuous improvement.
- Foster a culture of inclusivity and support for learners with additional needs.
- Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to advocate for SEND provision and secure necessary resources.
- Operational Management
- Line supervise the work of a team of 4 Learning Support Assistants, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the ALS team, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery.
- Co-ordinate the allocation of caseloads and workload distribution within the team and creating support plans.
- Develop and implement robust systems and processes for identifying, assessing, and supporting learners with additional needs.
- Ensure compliance with relevant SEND legislation, Policies and regulations.
- Collaboration and Partnership
- Work closely with the Assistant Principal Learner Services, the Dean of the Apprenticeship programme, and other key stakeholders to ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach to SEND provision.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external agencies, including local authorities, health professionals, and specialist support services.
- Engage with parents/carers, providing regular communication and opportunities for involvement.
- Staff Development
- Lead and facilitate professional development opportunities for the ALS team, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to support learners effectively.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and development within the team.
Essential:
- Proven experience in a leadership or co-ordination role within a SEND or ALS context.
- Be educated to Level 3 standard.
- In-depth knowledge of SEND legislation and best practices.
- Strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing learners with additional needs in a further education setting.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills.
- Ability to lead, motivate, and inspire a team.
Desirable:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching qualification.
- Experience working in a further education college.
- Knowledge of the digital skills sector.
Leadership and Coordination – the ability to demonstrate:
- Genuine passion and belief in the potential of every learner
- An educational vision aligned with the college’s high aspirations
- Clear strategies for establishing consistently high standards of results and behaviour in complex inner-city schools and a commitment to relentlessly instilling these
- Versatility to adapt your style in circumstances where an alternative approach is needed
- Effective line management of a range of people – coaching and motivating them to achieve excellent results in their roles
- A desire to innovate and try new approaches, being reflective and learning from mistakes
- An ability to give feedback in a constructive and, where needed, challenging way
- An ambassadorial approach in all dealings with the community and subsequently to be positive in successfully marketing the college in the community
- Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
- Strong organisational skills which includes the ability to delegate, prioritise and use effective time management
- Resilience and motivation to stay positive and focus on key priorities during times of challenge
- Confidence and effective presentation skills during assemblies, parents and carers events and other public speaking opportunities
- A willingness to work flexibly and where necessary outside of normal working hours
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment. Any job offer will be conditional on various, appropriate, pre-employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and Barred List Check, having the legal right to work in the UK and having satisfactory overseas criminal records checks, if deemed necessary, and supportive references.
Equal opportunities
Ada. National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the College’s commitment to equality and diversity:
- To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity
- To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community
- To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the College are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction
- To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation
- To promote good relations between individuals from different groups
Applicants with disabilities
Ada. National College for Digital Skills is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We therefore encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please email the HR Team.
Sponsorship
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role so can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom.
How to apply for the role
Please submit your CV and a supporting cover letter outlining your interest in the role and the relevant experience you may have.
Closing date: Tuesday 21st October 2025
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as they are received, and we may decide to stop accepting applications before this date, so early applications are recommended.
Good luck with your application.