Vice Principal - Curriculum

Teaching Vacancies; Pontefract; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A community college in Pontefract seeks a dedicated strategic leader with a strong track record in educational improvement. The role focuses on leading a thriving environment committed to raising standards and supporting staff development. Candidates should possess Qualified Teacher Status and have experience in senior leadership, alongside a passion for nurturing student success. The college promotes a culture of openness and collaboration, and values diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Free on-site gym membership

Cycle to Work Scheme

Teachers’ Pension

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Experience in senior leadership roles within an educational setting.
• Proven track record of leading school improvement.
• Evidence of professional development.
• Understanding of safeguarding issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction of the college.
• Build on recent successes and improve educational outcomes.
• Support staff development and manage performance.
• Engage with the community and promote student success.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Empathy

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status.
• Senior Leadership Experience.
• Have a proven track record of leading on a range of aspects of school improvement (particularly in the areas of curriculum, assessment and outcomes, pedagogy and professional development).
• Ability to develop specialist knowledge and keep up to date with local and national policy developments.
• Demonstrable success in raising standards and meeting challenging targets.
• Ability to interpret and implement new legislation, policies and directives.
• Ability to analyse information from a wide variety of sources and solve complex problems.
• Ability to demonstrate sound organisational skills, work under pressure and determine priorities to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to provide clear educational vision and direction.
• Ability to work in partnership with senior leaders and governors.
• Ability to analyse and use student data on attainment and progress to raise standards.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Ofsted statutory inspection framework.
• Experience of leading, coaching and motivating staff within a performance management framework, supporting their development and effectively challenging and managing any underperformance.
• Ability to recognise and be sensitive to the needs of all stakeholders, demonstrating empathy and emotional intelligence.
• Evidence of successfully operating at both strategic and operational levels.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with other senior leaders, teachers, associate staff, students and parents.
• An excellent classroom practitioner and leader of pedagogy.
• Experience of presenting high quality, strategic information to governors and supporting their role as a ‘critical friend’.
• Understanding of what excellence looks like within educational leadership, management, teaching and learning.
• Knowledge of equality of opportunity issues and how they can be addressed in schools.
• Evidence of relevant continuing and recent professional development.
• A proven track record of delivering change and sustained improvement.
• Experience of impactful leadership as part of a school leadership team.
• Understand the role of parents and the community in school improvement and how this can be promoted and developed.
• Knowledge and understanding of statutory requirements, relevant legislation and government strategies.
• Up to date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the protection of, children and young people and demonstrate an understanding of safeguarding issues and the ability to follow procedures.
• Leadership qualities, including energy, resilience and the ability to enthuse and motivate others.

Personal Attributes

• Deep alignment with the vision and ethos of Minsthorpe Community College.
• A strong belief in the importance of clear systems and consistency.
• A visible, energetic and principled leader.
• Relentless ambition for all staff and students.
• The ability to lead confidently and with conviction, to put students first and to accept no excuses.
• A good sense of humour.
• An appetite for hard work.
• The ability to work to tight deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Sound judgment.

Other Requirements

• Ability to maintain discretion when privy to confidential information.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Willingness to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
• Commitment to equality, diversity & inclusion.

What the school offers its staff

• Additional PPA time
• Free on‑site gym membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Teachers’ Pension
• Free on‑site parking

Further details about the role

Governors are seeking to appoint a dedicated and highly motivated strategic leader who will be able to lead this thriving Community College and build on our recent successes. Our most recent Ofsted report (2023) described us as a “Good college” who “invests in staff’s development. This means that staff feel valued and are proud to work at the school … Leaders support staff well and consider their workload and well‑being”. There is a focused, purposeful atmosphere around the school, which is underpinned by the school’s vision of motivation, commitment and care. Pupils are confident, well‑mannered and eager to share their opinions. They work hard in lessons and are keen to succeed.

Why work at Minsthorpe?

Minsthorpe Community College is a large, vibrant, and inclusive community college with a student body of over 1,600 students ranging from 11 to 19 years, including a Resource Provision and on‑site Alternative Provision. We are oversubscribed and welcome children from neighbouring areas. The college covers a large and very populated area and is much larger than most secondary schools. The college is situated to the South East of Wakefield and serves the villages of South Elmsall, South Kirkby and Upton. The catchment area covers three of the five most deprived wards in the Wakefield district (and they are among the 10% most deprived areas in the UK). Students come from below average levels of social deprivation; the percentage of disadvantaged students entitled to free school meals (34.7%) is higher than the national average (27.9%). Outcomes at the end of Key Stage 4 and 5 at Minsthorpe Community College are consistently in line with, or exceed, national benchmarks. In our Post‑16 provision, we support learners across all ability levels by offering a broad curriculum that includes Level 1, 2, and 3 qualifications. This inclusive approach enables students to progress confidently into further education, training, or employment. Notably, this year, 94% of students progressing to university are first‑generation entrants to higher education – an achievement that reflects our strong commitment to social mobility and student success.

Commitment to equality of opportunity

Minsthorpe Community College is committed to equality of opportunity and upholding the principles of the Equality Act 2010. We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Additional information

The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of our Person Specification and be subject to an enhanced DBS check. A prohibition from teaching check and an online search will also be completed for all applicants. Full‑time permanent employees are provided with free membership of our on‑site Sports & Fitness Centre, as well as the facility of an on‑site Children’s Centre.