Vice Principal - Inclusion

Teaching Vacancies; Pontefract; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A vibrant community college in Pontefract seeks a visionary Vice Principal committed to educational excellence and improvement. Responsible for staff leadership and school performance, you'll champion safeguarding and student welfare while engaging with the community. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organizational skills and a history of achieving higher educational outcomes. A commitment to social mobility and ongoing professional development is essential. Join us to make a difference at Minsthorpe Community College.

Benefits

Additional PPA time

Free on-site gym membership

Free on-site parking

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Teachers' Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven track record of leading on school improvement.
• Ability to interpret and implement new legislation.
• Experience of coaching and motivating staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school and build on recent successes.
• Support staff development and manage underperformance.
• Collaborate with parents and the community.

Skills

Qualified Teacher Status

Leadership experience

Solving complex problems

Organisational skills

Empathy and emotional intelligence

Ability to work under pressure

Commitment to equality

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Recent professional development

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

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 behaviour, attendance, SEND and safeguarding.).
• 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.
• Experience of multi-agency working.
• 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.
• Ability to work under pressure, to prioritise appropriately and to meet deadlines.
• 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 managing 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
• Free on-site parking
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Teachers' Pension Scheme

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 onsite Alternative Provision. We are oversubscribed taking children from six primary schools in our pyramid and are pleased to 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 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.

Role of Vice Principal

The role of Vice Principal at Minsthorpe Community College requires a visionary leader who is committed to our values and dedicated to turning our shared vision into reality. At Minsthorpe, we invest in the recruitment, development and retention of caring professionals who are committed to constantly reviewing and improving the quality of learning, teaching and support. We expect that staff are motivated to work collaboratively in setting high expectations for all students with a relentless focus on student learning and progress. In return, you will benefit from working with caring colleagues who will support you in your role and your personal and professional development. You will have a proven track record of leading sustained improvement, and a commitment to maintaining and strengthening parental and community links by working in partnership with parents, staff, governors and the wider community. You will share the ethos of the Principal and be a highly effective communicator who earns respect from students and staff alike.

Contact & Application

Further particulars for this post can be obtained by visiting our Web Site at www.minsthorpe.cc. If you would like to arrange a visit to the college, we would be more than happy to show you around so you can get a feel for who we are. Dates available for visits are Wednesday 17th December 2025, and Wednesday 7th January 2026 at 9.00am or 3.00pm. Please email [e-mail] with your preferred date and time.

Please send completed application forms to Cath Green, Director of HR & Associate Teams: [e-mail] by midday – Monday 12th January 2026. Shortlisting will take place on Tuesday 13th January 2026. Interviews will take place on Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd January 2026.

Minsthorpe Community College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.