Principal - Curriculum & Standards

We are seeking a College Principal to lead the strategic development and quality improvement of the curriculum in line with Kingston College and South Thames Colleges Group (STCG) objectives.

Kingston College is the largest college within STCG and has seen incredible 16-18 growth over the last three years. To help oversee and continue this expansion we are looking for another College Principal to join our team. You would be part of the Kingston College Management Team and the Group Leadership Team. Along with the other Kingston College Principal, you would work to the Executive College Principal for South Thames and Kingston Colleges.

Your exact areas of responsibility would be determined by your skills, expertise and knowledge but you will be accountable for a high quality and consistent experience for all students that lead to strong outcomes, achieved by relentless attention to detail around identifying strengths, areas for improvement and compliance. You will supervise, support, set targets and appraise designated Heads of School as a part of this work, and where necessary you will target support and intervention for under-performing areas.

As Principal, the main aim is to ensure all aspects of Kingston College and 16-18 provision across the group are ‘Outstanding’. With Ofsted placing curriculum and skills at its heart, this is a wide-ranging role covering student outcomes, quality improvement, student engagement and destinations. All Principals within the Group take on a group-wide responsibilities, and this appointment in collaboration with the other Kingston College Principal is to lead on 16-18 provision. Cross-group improvement is co-ordinated through ‘Matrix Groups’ which comprise staff from across the STCG group, with Principals chairing.

The Principal’s role is to ensure the FE, HE and Apprenticeship curriculum we offer at Kingston College leads to meaningful student destinations in employment or further study.

We are looking to appoint an individual who has significant and successful experience of learning and teaching in Further Education, in particular proven success in securing strong outcomes for students. With a thorough understanding of quality assurance and improvement processes, in particular how to improve learning and teaching to meet the needs of all learners, you will demonstrate significant knowledge of the curriculum offered within the college and have a firm grasp of current and impending changes to both FE and HE and employer delivery.

We would like you to hold a degree or appropriate professional qualifications and have the proven ability to work effectively as a senior team member College-wide, as well as lead a significant staff team. With a proven record in the management of change, including the rapid improvement of underperforming areas, you will have proven success in planning, implementing and monitoring professional development needs of both individuals and teams to improve the learner experience.

With substantial knowledge and experience of design and delivery of a responsive curriculum that meets the needs of a diverse client group, you will have evidence of successfully working with partners, including employers and HEIs, to develop the College Curriculum and meet income targets

Closing date for the return of completed applications is 27th June 2025. 

The benefits package includes generous annual leave of 37 days plus up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year as well as an additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees’ physical and mental health. This leave is all in addition to Bank Holiday entitlement. There is an excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme), subsidised sports facilities and professional development and training plus a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

South Thames Colleges Group is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, 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.

As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

The South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, which merged on 1 August 2017. South Thames Colleges Group is one of London’s largest providers of post-16 education and training and is an ongoing and significant contributor to its local communities. We aim to put students’ success at the heart of everything we do.