Working at USP College

Join us on our mission to provide an excellent education, with innovation and creativity

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Our mission is to provide an excellent educational experience, delivering creative, innovative and interesting learning for our young learners and adults.


USP College was created following the exciting merger of Seevic College and Palmer's College in August 2017. The colleges were rebranded as USP College (Unified Seevic Palmer's).

As a college, our strategy is 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. Our goal is to transform the lives of our learners and support them on their educational journey either to higher education or into the work place.

The range of roles we offer are broad-ranging including teachers, technicians, learning support staff, business support and specialists. The one defining feature for all is the learner based experience. Everything we do is designed to support the teaching and learning experience. We pride ourselves on maintaining a high-quality workforce of committed, dedicated professionals to help our students reach their full potential; therefore, we are looking for passionate, creative and innovative staff to help us achieve our pledge to the community.

We value our staff and are committed to investing in them and their futures – offering competitive salaries, benefits and training packages.

If you feel you have the right attributes, commitment and want to join our team, we're interested in hearing from you.

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Recruitment FAQs

How can I confirm the receipt of my application?

You will receive an email notification acknowledging the receipt of all applications. This email will also outline the subsequent stages of the process.

How soon can I expect to hear the outcome of my application?

An email will be sent after the application deadline, informing you of the outcome and whether you have progressed to the next stage. In the event of an unsuccessful outcome, you will also receive an email notification.

When will you contact my references?

Typically, we contact references once an offer is extended. However, there is a possibility that references might be contacted before the interview phase. If you prefer not to have your referees contacted before an interview, please specify this in your application.

How can I obtain feedback if my application is unsuccessful?

For those who haven't been shortlisted for an interview, we regrettably cannot offer feedback. Nevertheless, if you reach the interview stage and do not succeed. We will call to inform you of our decision and will provide feedback, if you require additional feedback after this, Kindly email recruitment@uspcollege.ac.uk

I’m having problems with my application. Who can I contact?

Feel free to contact either the Recruitment Business Partner, or a member of the Recruitment team. You can reach them at 01268 756 111 or through the email address recruitment@upscollege.ac.uk

I'm interested in multiple advertised positions. Can I use one application?

Unfortunately, it's necessary to submit a separate application for each position. Each job has distinct requirements outlined in its job description and person specification. Customising your application to the specific post is crucial.

What's the purpose of monitoring equality and diversity information? How is this information utilised?

The equality and diversity information collected in your application aids us in evaluating the effectiveness of our recruitment efforts. This data does not influence the decision-making process, and the selection panel remains unaware of this information. As a public organisation, we're obligated to provide regular statistics regarding our employees and potential candidates.

Do I need to disclose my criminal record?

Yes, due to our status as a Further Education College, we're exempt from The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All criminal records must be disclosed. However, having a criminal record doesn't necessarily disqualify you from employment. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the role, circumstances, and offense. Any prior record must be disclosed once an employment offer is extended and will be treated confidentially. A DBS check is mandatory for all our staff.

Do you keep a list of people interested in employment with USP College?

Yes, we encourage potential candidates to register their information for future opportunities. Kindly send your CV torecruitment@uspcollege.ac.uk for this purpose.

Where can I access your equal opportunity policy?

Please click here to view our Equality & Diversity Policy.

Will my travel expenses for interview attendance be reimbursed?

Unfortunately, we're unable to reimburse any travel expenses incurred during interviews.

Why work for USP College?

We asked our staff why they choose to work for USP College. Here are some of their comments.


I have a major passion for ensuring funding and opportunity for learners. I was very lucky that I was able to go back to college as an adult and receive government funding to do so. I enjoy doing everything I can to ensure learners have the best opportunities, while simultaneously working to assure the use of the college funding allocations. It’s like giving back and giving others the opportunity that I was lucky enough to have. Without that opportunity I wouldn’t be where I am today and likely I wouldn’t have been able to support my son with his education, he’s now working towards his PhD.

Why I chose to work at USP College

I enjoy offering a diverse array of possibilities, catering to learners spanning from level 1 to level 4, including those who may have underperformed in traditional schooling or seek a fresh learning atmosphere. Witnessing these students embark on positive paths serves as the primary motivation for working in Further Education (FE), setting it apart from Sixth Forms and other educational providers.

Having built my career in this sector, I have been fortunate to receive a multitude of job offers and enriching experiences.

Additionally, the inclusion of broader experiences, such as educational trips and continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities, holds significant importance.

Why I stay in FE

The ability to make a positive impact on students' lives is truly rewarding.

Witnessing their progress as they move towards bigger and better opportunities, whether it be through industry apprenticeships or university, fills me with immense satisfaction.

Inspiring and observing their growth in confidence, as they evolve into independent learners, and seeing them realise that they can indeed achieve their dreams is a truly fulfilling experience.

Why do we work in FE

Safer Recruitment and Keeping Children Safe in Education

Given that USP College works with children and vulnerable adults, all employees are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. As a result, every staff member will undergo an 'Enhanced' DBS check, including a check of the Children’s Barred List for those involved in regulated activities.

USP College reserves the right to withdraw any job offer if these checks are not satisfactory. Candidates will be required to self-disclose relevant information as part of the recruitment process. Failure to fully disclose or present your DBS certificate may lead to the withdrawal of your employment offer.

As per statutory guidance on Keeping Children Safe in Education, USP College is encouraged to conduct an online search as part of their due diligence on shortlisted candidates. These searches help identify any actions or statements that could damage the institution’s reputation or render the candidate unsuitable for working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults. If the online search raises concerns, a risk assessment will determine whether the candidate should be excluded from the process or if further clarification, either before or during the interview, is necessary.