Job descriptionAn exciting opportunity has arisen at Oaklands College for an Enrichment & Student Engagement Officer to create vibrant, inclusive, and meaningful experiences that enrich student life beyond the classroom. We are looking for a creative and student-centred Enrichment & Student Engagement Officer to join our team and play a crucial role in bringing the enrichment programme at Oaklands to life. In this position, you will plan, coordinate, and deliver a diverse calendar of enrichment activities, wellbeing initiatives, student-led events, and extracurricular opportunities across our three campuses in St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, and Borehamwood. You will take the lead on flagship events including the Freshers’ Fair and Student Conference, support the Oaklands Students’ Union (OSU) to deliver meaningful campaigns, and work alongside curriculum teams and personal tutors to ensure every student — including those with SEND and EHCPs — can access and benefit from a rich student experience. You will also be responsible for developing external partnerships with community organisations and referral agencies, maintaining accurate participation records, and contributing to the department’s quality improvement and self-assessment work. Key Responsibilities 1. Enrichment Programme Planning & Delivery · Plan, coordinate, and deliver a comprehensive and inclusive programme of enrichment activities across all campuses, responsive to student need, curriculum context, and college priorities. · Work proactively with curriculum teams, personal tutors, and course teams to embed enrichment within the wider student experience, including sport, enterprise, wellbeing, cultural, diversity, and arts activities. · Lead on the planning and delivery of flagship enrichment events including the Freshers’ Fair, Student Conference, themed awareness campaigns, and end-of-year enrichment celebrations. · Develop and maintain a varied, high-quality annual enrichment calendar that is accessible to all students regardless of campus, programme, or learning need. · Ensure all activities are properly planned, risk-assessed, and delivered in line with College health and safety and safeguarding requirements. 2. Student Voice & OSU Support · Liaise with student representatives and the Oaklands Students’ Union (OSU) to develop and implement student-led activities, campaigns, and events that reflect current student priorities. · Support the OSU to deliver meaningful campaigns and student-led initiatives, acting as a key point of contact between the student body and the College. · Facilitate student feedback mechanisms — including surveys, focus groups, and suggestion processes — that give students a genuine voice in shaping their enrichment experience. · Promote student leadership opportunities through enrichment, encouraging students to take active roles in planning and running activities. 3. Student Engagement & Wellbeing · Create and maintain stimulating, welcoming, and inclusive student lounge environments across campuses, ensuring spaces are safe, accessible, and actively used. · Foster positive relationships with students, building confidence and a sense of community across the student body. · Act as an initial point of contact for students presenting with general welfare concerns, providing a supportive first response and making appropriate referrals to personal tutors, Careers Advisers, Learning Support, or external agencies as required. · Work collaboratively with the Safeguarding Team, tutors, and course teams to design enrichment opportunities that raise student aspirations and support positive outcomes, particularly for students at risk of disengagement. · Support students with SEND, EHCPs, and other additional needs to access and participate in enrichment activities, adapting provision where necessary. 4. External Partnerships & Community Engagement · Create, develop, and maintain a portfolio of external partnerships with community organisations, charities, health services, and other agencies to broaden the range of enrichment and support available to students. · Attend open events, careers fairs, and progression events to advise students and their parents/guardians on the enrichment offer and extracurricular opportunities available at the College. · Promote and represent the enrichment programme positively to prospective students, employers, and external stakeholders. · Identify and pursue funding or partnership opportunities that support the enrichment programme and extend student access to activities and experiences. 5. Data, Quality & Improvement · Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all enrichment activities, student participation, and outcomes using College systems. · Collect and analyse evaluation data from students, staff, and partners to assess the impact of the enrichment programme and drive continuous improvement. · Contribute to the department’s Self-Assessment Review and Quality Improvement Plan, providing evidence of engagement, reach, and student outcomes. · Produce reports and updates on enrichment activity for internal audiences including the Head of Department and senior leaders. · Maintain enrichment, equality and diversity, and student voice displays in public areas across campuses, ensuring they are current and engaging. Additional information · Operate across all three college campuses (St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, and Borehamwood) as required; a driving licence and access to a vehicle is advantageous. · Participate in the College’s main enrolment periods, contributing to triage and assessment activities. · Promote and actively support equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the role. · Comply at all times with College policies including safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, and the Staff Code of Conduct. · Undertake relevant training and CPD as required, including safeguarding updates and any role-specific qualifications. · Carry out any other reasonably comparable duties as directed by the Head of Department. · All relevant safeguarding training will be provided. The postholder must adhere to the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and the College’s safeguarding policy at all times. Is This You? Qualifications · A minimum GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent Level 2 qualification. · Level 3 qualification or above in a relevant field (e.g. youth work, community development, sport, education, health and wellbeing, events management) · Degree or professional qualification in a relevant discipline is desirable. · Current First Aid at Work or Paediatric First Aid certificate, or willingness to obtain. · Completion of, or willingness to complete, safeguarding / child protection training at Level 1 or above. Experience · Substantial experience of working with young people aged 16–19 in an educational, youth work, community, or enrichment setting. · Demonstrable experience of planning, organising, and delivering a programme of enrichment, extracurricular, or community activities. · Experience of successfully managing and delivering large-scale student-facing events (e.g. freshers fairs, conferences, enrichment days). · Experience of engaging a diverse student population, including those at risk of disengagement, in structured activities. · Experience of delivering workshops, briefings, or presentations to groups of young people on a range of topics. · Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with external organisations, community agencies, or referral services. · Experience of working within a further education college or similar post-16 educational setting. · Experience of supporting student representative structures, student unions, or student-led campaigns. Skills & Knowledge · Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage a busy and varied programme across multiple sites simultaneously. · Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with students, staff, external partners, and senior leaders. · Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams); able to use digital systems for recording, reporting, and promotion. · Ability to collect, analyse, and present participation and impact data to support quality improvement and self-assessment. · Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities in an educational context, in line with KCSIE. · Understanding of how to adapt activities and provision for students with SEND, EHCPs, or other additional needs. · Sound knowledge of external agencies and services that support young people, and an understanding of when and how to make referrals. · Ability to use social media, digital displays, and other channels to promote enrichment activities to students. Personal Attributes · Genuine enthusiasm for improving the student experience and a commitment to ensuring all students can access and benefit from enrichment. · Proactive and creative in developing new activity ideas, identifying opportunities, and solving problems without waiting to be directed. · Able to remain calm and effective under pressure, managing multiple competing priorities and adapting when plans change. · A team player who builds effective relationships with colleagues across curriculum, student services, and the wider college. · Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with an awareness of cultural diversity and a non-judgemental approach to all students. · Willing to work across all three campuses and to adapt working hours to meet the seasonal demands of the enrichment calendar, including some evenings and open events. · Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Your Future Starts at Oaklands At Oaklands College, we value our staff and are committed to your wellbeing and development. When you join us, you become part of a vibrant and forward-thinking team that supports innovation, creativity, and learner-centred teaching. Here’s what you can look forward to: Generous holiday allowance – 30 days plus bank holidays. Local Government Pension Scheme with excellent employer contributions. Ongoing CPD and free access to Adult Community Learning courses. Free onsite permit parking. Onsite gym at St Albans Campus and wellness treatments at discounted rates. Cycle to Work Scheme and discounted travel through UNO Bus Scheme. Eye care vouchers and employee assistance programme. Mental health and wellbeing support, including peer supporters. Staff development days and annual awards celebrating your achievements. Oaklands College is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and we actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and stakeholders to share this commitment. We review applications on a rolling basis and may close this advert early if we receive high interest. Don’t miss your opportunity to join a college that’s shaping futures and transforming lives. Want to know more about Oaklands College? Click here
