Assistant Principal

Shaftesbury Millie College

Job Title: Assistant Principal

Salary: Leadership scale L4-L10 subject to experience

Contract Type: Permanent

Exceptional People Deserve Exceptional Staff

About Shaftesbury Statement

Shaftesbury is a disability charity offering care, education, vocational and rehab services. The charity also provides residential care, nursing and supported living.

Within the education sector, Shaftesbury operates an all-through school, Shaftesbury Victoria School, and two further education colleges: Shaftesbury Millie College, near Poole, Dorset, and Shaftesbury Nash College in Bromley. All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), as well as physical and/or intellectual disabilities, and some have profound and complex learning needs.

About the role

Are you ready to shape the future of specialist education in one of the most unique learning environments in the UK?

We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Principal to lead on curriculum innovation, teaching and learning, and quality assurance across our vibrant and inclusive post-16 provision.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a thriving specialist FE college where you can have a real impact on students’ progress and wellbeing.

The successful candidate will be a creative, collaborative and dedicated leader, with a passion for inclusive education. You will need a calm and adaptable approach and be able to inspire and empower students and staff. You will be confident using data to drive improvement and innovation and will foster high expectations for learning.

Key responsibilities

In this strategic leadership role, you will:

• Drive excellence in teaching and learning, maintaining a high quality educational environment for students.
• Lead curriculum development and pedagogy with creativity and ambition.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership support for the management of curriculum development and delivery.
• Oversee quality assurance, assessment, and staff development.
• Collaborate with the Principal and senior leadership team to embed our ethos of inclusion, creativity, and enterprise.
• Ensure staff have high expectations for all students.
• Work closely with the Principal and senior leadership team on strategic improvement planning and self-evaluation.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with staff, parents and carers and external stakeholders, ensuring effective communication.
• Participate in staff meetings, appropriate continuing professional development and training to update or develop new skills.
• Uphold the values and ethos of the College at all times.

Essential skills & qualifications

• Qualified Teacher status with experience of curriculum development (Essential).
• Demonstrable experience in a leadership role, ideally in a SEND setting.
• Calm and adaptable approach, able to inspire and lead students and staff team.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team.

Why Millie College?

Set within a breathtaking 350-acre nature reserve, Millie College is a specialist FE college for young people aged 16-25+ with a range of learning and physical disabilities. We’re proud to deliver a transformative educational experience through our pioneering Enterprise Curriculum, which places real-world learning, creativity, and independence at the heart of everything we do.

• Enterprise at the core: Students engage in hands-on, meaningful learning that builds life skills and confidence.
• Nature-based learning: From horticulture and conservation to creative arts and wellbeing, our outdoor education supports holistic development.
• Inclusive and aspirational: We celebrate diversity and promote personalised pathways, self-advocacy, and achievement.

Apply now and be part of something extraordinary.

Safeguarding

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Shaftesbury Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and staff. It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check and will follow our rigorous safer recruitment processes.

Equality and Diversity

Shaftesbury is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Shaftesbury aims to create and sustain an inclusive work environment which provides equality of opportunity for everyone and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. The post holder is required to uphold the Equality and Diversity policy and comply with the code of conduct which sets out our standards of behaviour towards those who use our services or work within them.

Application process

Please provide a covering letter with your application.

Job description and application form available on request - please contact Cenan Chappell cchappell@shaftesburygroup.org

Closing date: Monday 24^th November

Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Early applications are strongly encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the advert should we feel able to appoint an appropriate candidate before the above dates.

Visits to the setting are welcomed, by arrangement.