Assistant Principal: Braintree & Advanced Technologies

Colchester Institute; Colchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Colchester is seeking a passionate Assistant Principal to provide strategic leadership for the Braintree Campus and oversee the Advanced Technology curriculum. This role demands extensive experience in curriculum leadership, a collaborative approach, and a commitment to inclusion and quality education. The ideal candidate will drive high-quality, employer-responsive education that meets the needs of learners and regional economies. This position provides a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on students and the community while contributing to the College's strategic direction.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience of curriculum leadership in an FE environment.
• Proven ability to plan and deliver responsive curricula to meet needs.
• Strong understanding of post-16 education and quality requirements.
• Experience in line managing and developing educational teams.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders.
• A clear commitment to inclusion, safety, and quality learning.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Braintree Campus.
• Ensure curriculum is responsive to local skills needs and employer demands.
• Lead the College's Advanced Technology provision and curriculum.
• Work collaboratively with teams to ensure sustainable programs.
• Ensure targets for adult participation and skills development are met.
• Promote continuous improvement and strong external representation.

Skills

Curriculum leadership in an FE environment

Planning and delivering responsive curricula

Understanding of post-16 education

Effective line management

Collaborative work with stakeholders

Commitment to inclusion and safeguarding

Job description

This is a pivotal senior leadership role with the opportunity to shape the future of the Braintree Campus and lead the College's Advanced Technology provision. The Assistant Principal will drive high quality, employer responsive education that delivers strong learner outcomes, supports progression, and meets the skills needs of local and regional economies. As a visible and values led leader, you will build an ambitious, inclusive campus culture and develop a future focused technical curriculum aligned to employer demand, apprenticeships and major growth priorities. Working closely with employers, partners and internal teams, you will strengthen industry engagement, grow provision and ensure learners are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce. This role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on learners, staff and communities, while contributing at a senior level to the strategic direction and success of the College.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Braintree Campus, delivering targets for growth, quality, achievement and progression through visible, inclusive and aspirational leadership.
• Ensure the curriculum across all provision types (including 16-19, Adult, Apprenticeships, Bootcamps and Full Cost) is responsive to local skills needs, employer demand and community priorities, underpinned by strong employer and stakeholder partnerships.
• Lead the College's Advanced Technology provision, shaping a future-focused technical curriculum aligned to employer demand, skills priorities and growth infrastructure.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure high-quality, sustainable programmes with appropriate specialist resources and industry engagement.
• In conjunction with the Assistant Principal for Adults and Community Projects ensure targets for adult participation, skills development and lifelong learning outcomes are met or exceeded.
• Act as an effective member of the Senior Leadership Team, promoting continuous improvement, inclusion, compliance and strong external representation.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience of curriculum leadership in an FE environment, with a strong record of delivering high performance and improvement.
• Proven ability to plan and deliver responsive curricula aligned to learner, employer and stakeholder needs, informed by LMI and performance data.
• Strong understanding of post-16 education, including Study Programmes, apprenticeships, funding and quality requirements, with the ability to lead effective change.
• Experience of line managing and developing teams, including the effective use of HR policies to address performance and conduct.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and partners.
• Clear commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and creating a safe, high quality learning environment.

About the College

At Colchester Institute, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities. As one of the region's leading providers of education and training, we are proud to offer a dynamic, supportive and forward-thinking working environment where staff can thrive and make meaningful change. Our values: Inclusive, Collaborative, Respectful, Ambitious, Honest, and Safe are more than words; they define who we are and guide every decision we make. As we continue to grow in scale, reach, and reputation, we are proud to be expanding our Senior Leadership Team.