Teacher of Psychology

Job Overview:

As a College, our strategy is Career Focused Learning and ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do.

As a USP teacher, you will be responsible for inspiring and challenging students towards their aspirations.  If you have a passion for Psychology and want the opportunity to use that subject knowledge and expertise to help young people achieve their future career aspirations, then we want to invest in you.

We pride ourselves on maintaining a high quality workforce to help our students reach their full potential. We are looking for innovative curriculum staff who want to work in an environment where staff and students are given the opportunity to inspire and grow. 

As a prospective member of the Humanities team, you should be a subject specialist who will inspire and motivate your students to exceed their aspirations. You will be able to build positive relationships with young people and support them to achieve their long term career goals.  You will be able to use your expertise and emotional intelligence to unlock barriers to your students’ progress and provide the tools, support and challenge they need to go forwards. As a college who promote innovation we are keen to develop virtual learning for our learners and would therefore welcome candidates who demonstrate an interest and desire to develop this method of teaching and learning.

We welcome and encourage applications from all levels of experience.  We have the ability to support applicants with a degree in Psychology to achieve a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training.   We are keen to invest in and support the development and wellbeing of our staff no matter what stage of their career. USP staff have access to a broad range of opportunities to further develop their practice.   At USP we can boast that we give our teachers weekly opportunities to engage in professional development, in order to stimulate progressive approaches to inspire and challenge our students.

Duties & Responsibilities

• To promote our college strategy of Career-Focused Learning, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers are at the heart of everything we do.
• Be prepared to travel cross campus to carry out teaching duties on occasion when required.
• Contribute to the development of the work of the curriculum area and to the discussion of policy and practice, through initiative and via the instructions of the Curriculum Leader to carry out reasonably assigned responsibilities and duties and comply with College Policies.
• Planning lessons in line with the needs of the students and curriculum area schemes of work
• Regularly set and mark work according to college policies
• Monitor and report on the progress of students especially through the review and reporting procedures
• Record and issue the collection of resources from students
• Communicate with staff concerning the organisation of students in shared groups
• Attend parents’ consultation evenings, interview evenings and other similar College events
• Prepare materials and attend Preview/Open evenings
• Interview prospective students
• Contribute to the preparation and delivery of the induction process
• Set work to cover absence
• Cover classes for absent colleagues according to contractual requirements as directed by the relevant post-holder.
• Participate positively in the professional appraisal process.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of recent developments in the subject/curriculum area and report on courses attended.
• Attend curriculum area meetings within contractual requirements.
• Participate in recording of student achievement according to College Policy.
• Exercise effective supervision of learners and ensure that they know of the general emergency procedures in respect of fire and first aid and the special safety measures of the area.
• Give clear instructions and warnings as often as necessary (notices, posters, handouts are not enough).
• Ensure that learners are ready to learn.
• Make recommendations on safety matters to the Curriculum Leader.
• Flexibility to meet deadlines in a challenging, multi-functional and multi-disciplined role.
• Chasing for information and maintaining accurate and up to date information.
• Dealing with difficult people or circumstances in a professional and logical structure, aligned to policy, procedures, and legislation.
• Managing and prioritising actions in relation to learner issues and concerns.
• Providing guidance and advice within procedures, policy and legislation.
• Put into practice effective organisational and time management skills.

Job Requirements:

• Degree in the relevant subject or similar
• Expertise in the chosen subject area with knowledge of additional enrichment activities.

The right candidate will have:

• Capability of taking responsibility for multi functions involving students, resourcing, and college events
• Be able to relate well to staff and students and judge the balance of support and pressure required to maximise achievement through appropriate support, guidance, and policy usage.
• An ability to keep up with developments in the curriculum areas and advise on the future direction of curriculum and its methods of delivery
• Be a creative and lateral thinker to promote Campus growth and enhance current business features
• Have the ability to resolve student conflict and deal with criticism. 

Why choose us:

As a college, our strategy is to create a Career Focused, Digital Learning environment, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do. Providing a high achieving, focused learning environment allowing our students to achieve the grades they need for higher educations or the skills and aptitude required to secure a suitable role in their chosen career. Our college is set in the leafy suburbs of Essex, with easy access to surrounding areas and amenities, we are based in a well-connected  location both by road and rail.

What we offer:

• A college environment fully dedicated to developing every student to reach their full potential, irrespective of their ability.
• A dedicated and friendly team of professionals keen to develop and learn.
• A two year funded teaching course , providing the opportunity to complete a recognised post 16 teaching qualification*
• A successful NQT support program.
• Excellent CPD opportunities.
• Well-being days & activities
• Generous pension (Teachers pension scheme)
• Free onsite parking.
• Onsite canteen & coffee shop.
• Cycle to work scheme*
• Discounted gym membership.
• Electric Vehicle Scheme*
• Eye Care Vouchers scheme.
• Hybrid Working available.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7, 365 days offering legal & financial advice, as well as general support & guidance.

*subject to terms & conditions

This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.  It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Self-declaration is subject to Ministry of Justice guidance on the disclosure of criminal records, further information can be found on GOV UK

USP College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, we therefore expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service, and any other checks that the role requires to ascertain suitability for working with children and/or vulnerable adults, which may include online searches.

We will hold and process any personal data, including sensitive (special category) personal data, relating to you in accordance with our legal obligations, in the manner set out in the Privacy Notice for staff and in accordance with our Data Protection Policy, which is set out on the College’s website, found here.  You should familiarise yourself with our Data Protection Policy (and all other subsidiary policies to it) and comply with them at all times. Neither the Privacy Notice for Staff nor those policies form a part of your contract of employment.