Do you have a passion for Horticulture and want to inspire the next generation? Whether you’re already working in education and looking for your next role, or if you’re working in industry and looking to change your career path, we have an exciting opportunity for a Lecturer to join our Horticulture curriculum team in readiness for the start of the 2025/26 academic year.
Sharing your knowledge to unlock potential whilst guiding our learners through their studies, you’ll work as part of the curriculum team to create and deliver lessons across a range of qualification levels, inspiring achievement and the best possible outcomes. The successful candidate will be a team player, an excellent communicator, and able to maintain a proactive approach to managing deadlines, whilst retaining a high standard of delivery.
At Hadlow College, our Horticulture department is proud to offer life-changing opportunities for students, with courses ranging from Level 1 to Level 6, including additional RHS qualifications. Our graduates are highly sought after in the industry, known for their strong theoretical knowledge and advanced practical skills.
We’re now looking for a passionate and knowledgeable individual(s) to join our team and deliver high-quality, hands-on teaching in our exceptional learning environment.
Why Hadlow?
You'll be teaching in one of the most dynamic horticultural training environments in the UK, including:
- 10 acres of public gardens – where students apply their skills alongside our experienced Head Gardener
- A working orchard and vineyard – producing apples, plums, apricots, cherries, and grapes, with students helping to create and sell our own Hadlow College apple juice
- A thriving plant production unit – students grow over 10,000 plants each year, learning propagation and commercial growing techniques in glasshouses, polytunnels, and outdoor areas
- A weekly student-led pop-up plant shop – giving learners real-world experience in retail and customer interaction
- The UK’s only Centre of Excellence for Glasshouse Growing – housed in a state-of-the-art Venlo Glasshouse, featuring:
- Two hydroponic systems
- Propagation misting benches
- Vertical farming units
- PRIVA environmental control
- Supported by industry leaders including Thanet Earth
This role offers the unique opportunity to:
- Deliver practical and theoretical horticulture teaching to a wide range of learners
- Work closely with industry specialists and leading employers
- Inspire and mentor students as they prepare to enter or progress in the horticulture industry
- Be part of an expert team committed to quality, innovation, and student success
If you're ready to share your passion for horticulture and want to work in a truly inspiring setting, Hadlow College is the place for you!
The Role:
Where you’ll work: This role is based at our Hadlow campus.
Your hours: Various hours, 52 weeks per annum (1.6 FTE).
Your pay: £35,862 to £44,121 per annum (full time equivalent), dependent on qualifications and experience.
The College:
North Kent College (including Hadlow College) is proudly rated as an Ofsted ‘Good’ provider, with ‘Outstanding’ learner behaviours and attitudes (April 2024). With four campuses across Kent and 4,000 students, we strive to equip the young people who study here with an inclusive and innovative education experience to enhance their future career prospects, which, as noted by Ofsted, is supported through our high-quality, industry standard facilities. Each and every staff member plays a key part in delivering the success of our learners’ experience, and we want those who join our curriculum and support teams to share our passion in achieving this.
The Benefits:
In addition to a competitive salary, you can expect the following as a Lecturer at NKC:
- 42 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time contracts).
- Enrolment onto the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), one of the most generous in the country.
- Access to free parking and a number of onsite facilities, including gyms, restaurants and coffee shops.
- CPD and support from our in-house Teaching & Learning team, who coach, train, and guide our Lecturers through their teaching journey, from unqualified and new to teaching to qualified and experienced.
How to Apply:
If this sounds like the next role for you, please visit the North Kent College staff vacancies page to see the full job description and apply.
Please note that the closing date for applications is 20 August 2025, with interviews scheduled to take place on 02 September 2025.
North Kent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all staff have a responsibility to share and maintain this commitment. In line with the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, appropriate safeguarding checks (including an enhanced DBS check) will be undertaken on all individuals selected for appointment. Posts at the College, a specified establishment where the work gives opportunity for contact with children, are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to complete and submit prior to their interview a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Further guidance / information from the Ministry of Justice can be found on GOV.UK.