Vice Principal

Staffordshire University Academy; Hednesford; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Staffordshire University Academy seeks an experienced senior leader to join as Vice Principal: Behaviour and Inclusion to work with the Vice Principal: Quality of Education. You will oversee a strong pastoral team, set the culture and high expectations for students aged 11-19, and drive improvements in attendance, behaviour and progress.

The role requires strategic leadership across the academy, safeguarding oversight, and effective line management with coaching and performance review of staff,

Qualifications

• Experience leading pastoral teams with impact in education settings.
• Track record of setting high expectations and culture.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and oversight.
• Ability to develop and mentor staff across multiple levels.
• Experience with safeguarding partnerships and DSL collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership with the Principal and SLT to shape the academy’s vision and culture.
• Oversee behaviour, attendance and pastoral strategy for ages 11-19.
• Lead safeguarding, inclusion and student welfare in partnership with DSL and external agencies.
• Drive improvements in attendance, behaviour and progress across the academy.
• Lead and develop the Behaviour for Learning and reward systems.

Skills

Pastoral leadership

Behaviour management

Strategic leadership

Safeguarding

Team development

Job description

Why here, why now?

Staffordshire University Academy are looking to recruit an experienced senior leader to the post of Vice Principal: Behaviour and Inclusion to work alongside our Vice Principal: Quality of Education. With increasing student numbers, we are looking for the right candidate to join our expanding staff team and help continue our drive to be a truly great academy. You will oversee a strong pastoral team which is arranged in key stages, and set the culture, vision and high expectations for all. We would welcome applications from colleagues who have a track record of impact in leading high-performing pastoral teams in a range of contexts.

About the role:

• Provide strategic leadership across the academy, working alongside the Principal, Vice Principal and Senior Leadership Team to shape and embed the academy’s vision, values and culture.
• Lead the academy’s behaviour, attendance and pastoral strategy, maintaining high expectations and a culture of support, respect, belonging and achievement for all students aged 11-19.
• Provide strategic oversight of safeguarding, inclusion and student welfare, working closely with the DSL, Inclusion and Pastoral Teams and relevant external agencies.
• Drive improvements in student attendance, behaviour, attainment and progress, including oversight of alternative provision, suspensions, exclusions, admissions, managed moves and appropriate interventions.
• Lead and develop the academy’s Behaviour for Learning, rewards and student motivation strategies, ensuring consistent routines, expectations and positive recognition across the academy.
• Provide strategic leadership of the wider pastoral and personal development agenda, including student leadership, CHARACTER Education, SMSC/RSE/PSHE, CEIAG, aspirations and destinations.
• Lead, develop and hold colleagues to account through effective line management, appraisal, coaching and supportive challenge, while building leadership capacity at all levels.
• Support the strategic leadership of Quality of Education, modelling highly effective classroom practice and contributing to robust quality assurance, coaching and the continuous improvement of teaching and learning.
• Strengthen parental, community and stakeholder engagement, developing effective partnerships and supporting high-profile academy events, transition activities and links with further and higher education.
• Play a highly visible and active role in Team SUA, contributing to teaching, assemblies, duties, staff and student wellbeing, professional development and the wider life of the academy.

What we’re looking for:

• A highly professional and positive role model who consistently demonstrates the values, standards and expectations of the academy.
• A commitment to continuous professional development, with a willingness to engage fully in training and the academy’s CPD programme.
• The ability to work to high professional and ethical standards, maintaining confidentiality, integrity and appropriate professional boundaries.
• A strong commitment to academy policies, procedures and safeguarding responsibilities, with the confidence to raise concerns appropriately.
• A reliable and professional approach, demonstrating excellent standards of attendance, punctuality, presentation and conduct.
• A flexible and adaptable attitude, with a willingness to contribute to the wider life of the academy both within and beyond the normal academy day.