Vice Principal – Petty Pool College, Cheshire

Natspec Association; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution is seeking a Vice Principal to lead operational management and strategic direction at Petty Pool College in Cheshire. The role emphasizes inclusive, high-quality learning experiences, operational oversight, and development of adult education. Candidates must have a degree-level qualification and be experienced in educational leadership, particularly in SEND sectors.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in educational leadership, ideally within the SEND or specialist FE sector.
• Proven ability to lead large and diverse teams across multiple areas of college life.
• Strong data literacy and ability to drive improvement through analysis and monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the college.
• Oversee the delivery of an inclusive, high-quality learning experience for all learners.
• Lead the operational management of the college and implement the college’s strategic direction.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Data Literacy

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent

Job description

Vice Principal - Petty Pool College, Cheshire

The Vice Principal will lead on the operational management of the college, while driving the strategic direction for key areas including curriculum, behaviour, safeguarding, inclusion, employer partnerships, careers, transitions, adult education.

Home » Vice Principal – Petty Pool College, Cheshire

Job title: Vice Principal – Petty Pool College, Cheshire
Salary: £51,204.00 – £58,757.77 per annum – Grade 8
Hours: Full Time/Term Time
Main geographical location of role: Petty Pool College CW8 2DR
Closing date: 30 July 2025
Where do applicants need to apply (preferred option): [e-mail]
Where do applicants need to apply (secondary option): [e-mail]

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Vice Principal

LOCATION: Petty Pool Vocational College, Pool Lane, Sandiway, Cheshire, CW8 2DR

REPORTS TO: Principal

SALARY: £51,204.00 – £58,757.77 per annum – Grade 8

HOURS: 35 hours per week – Monday–Friday – Term Time – 41 weeks Per Year

Closing date: Wednesday 30th July

Role Purpose

To provide strategic and operational leadership across the college, ensuring the delivery of an inclusive, high-quality learning experience for all learners. The Vice Principal will lead on the operational management of the college, while driving the strategic direction for key areas including curriculum, behaviour, safeguarding, inclusion, employer partnerships, careers, transitions, adult education, and alternative provision (including NEET learners). This is a pivotal leadership role supporting the continued growth, innovation and impact of the college.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the college’s strategic direction in collaboration with the principal and senior leadership team.
• Drive innovation and future-focused planning across all aspects of provision to meet the evolving needs of learners with SEND and the wider community.
• Lead and embed the college’s Inclusion Strategy across all departments.
• Act as Principal’s deputy, ensuring continuity of leadership, clear decision-making, and accountability in their absence.

2. Operational Oversight

• Provide senior leadership oversight of all operational aspects of the college, ensuring efficient, compliant, and learner-centred delivery.
• Lead the college’s calendar, scheduling, and delivery structures to ensure seamless day-to-day operations.
• Line manage:
• • Assistant Principal for Behaviour, Inclusion & Safeguarding
  • Assistant Principal for Curriculum
  • Employer Partnerships Manager
  • Alternative Provision Manager
• Ensure key functions such as safeguarding, quality assurance, timetabling, learner conduct, transitions, and provision mapping are effectively integrated.

3. Curriculum and Quality

• Provide strategic oversight of curriculum planning and review to ensure provision is ambitious, inclusive, and employment focused.
• Ensure curriculum intent, implementation, and impact are clearly defined and evidenced.
• Promote innovation in teaching, learning, and assessment to maximise learner engagement and outcomes.
• Lead curriculum development in response to labour market intelligence, SEND needs, and progression routes into employment or independence.

4. Inclusion, Behaviour and Safeguarding

• Champion inclusive practices and ensure robust systems are in place to support learner behaviour, wellbeing, and emotional regulation.
• Lead and embed the Behaviour and Inclusion Framework across the college.
• Provide executive-level oversight of safeguarding, ensuring compliance, vigilance, and a culture of safety.
• Work closely with the DSL and Safeguarding Team to monitor incidents, trends, and staff training needs.

5. Careers, Transitions and Employer Engagement

• Oversee the delivery and impact of the college’s CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance) offer.
• Strengthen links with employers, ensuring opportunities for supported internships, volunteering, mentoring, and paid work.
• Lead on strategic transition planning to ensure learners are fully prepared for adulthood—whether that’s employment, supported living, or further education.

6. Alternative Provision and NEET Prevention

• Oversee all alternative provision offers within the college and externally, including personalised packages for at-risk or NEET learners.
• Design and implement re-engagement programmes to support young people not currently in education or training.
• Ensure these learners are tracked, supported, and given meaningful opportunities for progression.

7. Adult Education and Pathways Development

• Lead on the development of adult provision and lifelong learning, ensuring it complements the core offer and responds to community need.
• Align adult education with employability and independence goals.

8. People Leadership and Culture

• Champion a positive and inclusive workplace culture, aligned with the college’s values.
• Mentor and develop senior and middle leaders, enabling a high-performing and motivated team.
• Support the professional growth of staff through CPD, coaching, and talent development initiatives.

9. Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Represent the college externally with professionalism and clarity of purpose.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, funders, employers, regulators and wider community networks.
• Promote the college’s reputation as an innovative and inclusive provider of SEND education and training.

10. Risk Management and Compliance

• Lead on risk identification, mitigation and reporting across operational and strategic areas.
• Ensure the college is fully compliant with statutory and regulatory expectations (Ofsted, safeguarding, GDPR, Health & Safety, etc.).
• Prepare and contribute to inspections, reviews and external audits.

Additional Duties

• Attend governing board meetings, case conferences, or funding panels as required.
• Contribute to the Principal’s wider vision and initiatives as a core member of the college’s Executive Leadership Team.
• Undertake other relevant duties as directed by the Principal.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent.
• Significant experience in educational leadership, ideally within the SEND or specialist FE sector.
• Leadership experience across curriculum, safeguarding, and operational management.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven ability to lead large and diverse teams across multiple areas of college life.
• Excellent understanding of the SEND landscape and preparation for adulthood pathways.
• Strong data literacy and ability to drive improvement through analysis and monitoring.
• Effective communicator and relationship-builder with learners, staff, parents and external stakeholders.
• High-level decision-making skills with the ability to act under pressure and remain learner-focused at all times.

Our college is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Petty Pool is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

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