Helen studied Health and Social Care with us and now works as a Senior Science Technician at John Ruskin School, Coniston. Alongside her studies, Helen volunteered as a fantastic Class Rep and Student Ambassador.

Kendal College had a lot to do with where I am now. I did a Health and Social course which opened up a world of possibilities for me, including everything I do related to mental health.

What were some of your best memories during your time as a student at College?

The best memories I had were during my time as a Student Ambassador. It was definitely a way of supporting the college while still having so much fun with other students. It very rarely felt like work, and it was always so varied. Being a Student Ambassador probably had the biggest impact on me. It helped me to grow my confidence massively, especially when talking with new people. That has been a big part of why I can comfortably do all my volunteering roles. Based on my experiences, I would recommend becoming a Student Ambassador at Kendal College.

Did you learn any skills at college that support you in your current role?

I used the skills that I gained at college in my current role. The main skills I use are to communicate confidently and effectively with the adults and children I work with.

What have you been up to since finishing your studies with us?

Since leaving Kendal College, I have found myself doing many different things at work and outside of it. Immediately after college, I started working as a hotel receptionist because I wasn't completely sure what I wanted to be yet. Now, I am the Senior Science Technician at a secondary school. This means I prepare all the experiments for the science lessons and look after all the chemicals we have. Alongside my role in the school, I am also trained as a Youth Mental Health First Aider.

Outside of work, I have taken on many volunteering roles. I am the lead coach and club coordinator of my local children's running club. We have 33 kids in our Teens and Minis sections. It is an incredibly rewarding experience, and the kids are lovely (when they want to be). I volunteer with Rainbows and Brownies in my village, which is amazing as I watch these girls develop into impressive young women.

I am also a Shout volunteer. Shout is a crisis text line, which means I receive texts from people all over the country (and New Zealand) and help them find safety when in crisis. In addition to work and volunteering, I have also completed my first course towards becoming a counsellor.

What advice would you give potential students thinking of studying at Kendal College?

Career-wise, I'd say just find something you love. If it ends up not being right for you, find something else. You have to work for a long time, so there's no point doing something you hate. In all honesty, I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career, but my course at Kendal College helped me realise how many options there were out there for me to pursue.

Would you recommend Kendal College to others?

I would recommend Kendal College, but when picking your course, I'd recommend just choosing something you'll enjoy. It doesn't matter if you don't know what you want to do yet because so many skills you'll learn will be transferrable, so no doors are closing for you if you pick the "wrong" course. Kendal College had a lot to do with where I am now. I did a Health and Social course, which opened up a world of possibilities for me, including everything I do related to mental health.

Health & Social Care

Life at Kendal College

Courses

Dynamic Bank Tutors

Join Our Casual Bank of Teachers – Inspire Learners, Shape Futures!

Are you passionate about teaching and eager to make a difference across a variety of settings? We’re building a dynamic Casual Bank of Teachers and we want you to be part of it! We’re looking for talented educators with experience ranging from primary through to higher education. We’re looking for talented educators with who can adapt to, or have experience of, the broad range of teaching in an FE college. Whether your expertise lies in sparking curiosity in young children, guiding teenagers through key milestones, or supporting adults in advanced study, your skills are valued here. Why join our bank?

Flexibility: Choose assignments that fit your schedule and lifestyle.
Variety: Teach across different levels and subjects, keeping your work fresh and rewarding.
Impact: Support learners at crucial stages of their journey and help them achieve their goals.
Community: Be part of a supportive network of professionals who share your passion for education.

We believe great teaching changes lives, and we’re looking for educators who are ready to bring energy, creativity, and commitment to every classroom as and when required.

Apply today and take the opportunity to inspire learners, broaden your experience, and enjoy the freedom of casual teaching work.

Supported Internship (Project SEARCH)

Catering Technician

Join Our Team as a Catering Technician!

Are you passionate about food, teamwork and creating a welcoming café experience? Kendal College is seeking an enthusiastic Catering Technician to join our canteen team at the Milnthorpe Road Campus. This is a hands-on role at the heart of our College café, where you’ll play a key part in preparing, cooking and serving quality food for students and staff in a busy, customer-focused environment. Working closely with the Catering Manager and team, you’ll help ensure high standards of food production, hygiene and service, contributing to a safe, friendly and vibrant space for our College community.

Supported Internship Evening

Head of Sixth Form

Head of Sixth Form – Lead. Inspire. Transform

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for student success? We’re looking for an exceptional Head of Sixth Form in the Professional and Academic Faculty, responsible for A Levels, Access, and Business, to take our sixth form to the next level.

This is your chance to shape a vibrant, high-achieving learning environment where students thrive and make real progress. You’ll lead the design and delivery of a forward-thinking, sustainable curriculum that meets national and local priorities, supports the college’s financial health, and champions our environmental goals.

Working alongside the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll drive innovation, implement policies and curriculum frameworks, and inspire your team to reach new heights. Above all, you’ll foster a safe, inclusive, and aspirational culture where safeguarding and student welfare are always at the heart of what we do.

Head of MIS & Reporting

The Head of MIS will lead all aspects of MIS and data, funding and ILR returns, reporting and exams, admissions and enrolment, learner support, bursaries and student services. As the college’s expert on FE, HE, Apprenticeship and other funding streams, they will provide high-quality data and insight to support decision-making, planning and performance, and contribute robust evidence to curriculum planning. They will enhance MIS systems to improve the learner journey, streamline processes and maximise user experience, while managing high-performing teams across key service areas. Working closely with finance, they will ensure accurate forecasting, reporting and oversight of learner support and bursary funds, championing a culture of data-driven decision-making, innovation, compliance and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate experience working in a highly complex environment, experience working with similarly challenging funding regimes or the ability to quickly learn and adapt.

If you believe that you have the drive, vision, skills, expertise, and enthusiasm to make a difference, this could be the perfect role for you, and we invite you to take the next step.

Chief Operating Officer

Kendal College is Cumbria’s gateway to the lakes, a beautiful place to learn, live, work, and explore. The college provides an educational offer to students of all ages, including full-time courses, part-time courses, higher education and apprenticeships. The local area's economic well-being is supported by providing courses for adults to help them re-enter the job market and improve their employment prospects. Our courses include a range of vocational, academic and higher education courses, as well as apprenticeships across our three sites in Kendal. We are committed to providing outstanding education and training opportunities that are responsive to the needs of our students and our community.

As our Chief Operating Officer, you will provide strategic leadership for finance, estates, ICT, procurement and risk to support the college’s mission and strategic plan. Reporting to the Principal and Chief Executive and as a member of the Executive and Senior Leadership Team, you will act as the college’s Chief Operating Officer, ensuring compliance with the College Financial Handbook and regulatory frameworks, delivering robust financial management, budgeting and reporting to ensure long‑term viability and value for money. We are looking for someone who will foster a culture of professional excellence, collaboration, equality and diversity across all functional areas, and provide outstanding support to students, staff, and the community.

While FE experience is not essential, the successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate experience working in a highly complex environment, experience working with similarly challenging funding regimes or the ability to quickly learn and adapt.

If you believe that you have the drive, vision, skills, expertise, and enthusiasm to make a difference, this could be the perfect role for you, and we invite you to take the next step.

Nail Technology

Psychology Tutor

Bring Psychology to Life at Kendal College!

Are you driven by the desire to inspire the next generation of learners?

Kendal College is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Psychology Lecturer to join our dedicated team, delivering exceptional A-Level teaching. We are looking for an educator who can bring Psychology to life, who communicates with clarity, energy, and passion to ignite curiosity and deepen understanding in our students.

With state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive, forward-thinking environment, Kendal College provides an exceptional setting for talented educators to flourish and make a meaningful impact.

Joinery Tutor

Make an Impact in Joinery!

Do you have a genuine passion for Carpentry and Joinery?

Are you motivated by the opportunity to inspire the next generation of skilled tradespeople?

Kendal College is looking for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Joinery Tutor to help deliver outstanding teaching and learning across our Carpentry & Joinery programmes. We’re seeking someone qualified to at least Level 3 who can share their expertise with learners in a dynamic, supportive, and engaging way.

While previous teaching experience is an advantage, it’s not essential. If you bring the skills, confidence, and enthusiasm to guide our students, we will provide full support for you to achieve a formal teaching qualification alongside your role.