Vice Principal – Curriculum and Quality

• Company: Plumpton College
• Closing Date: 01-05-2025
• Location: Plumpton, Lewes BN7 3AE
• Salary: up to £85k
• Hours: Full-time
• Contact Email: recruitment@plumpton.ac.uk
• Benefits: Contribution towards relocation (if required) & see advert text

Description

About Us

Plumpton College is a leading provider of land and environmental education in the UK, situated in the heart of the South Downs National Park. We offer a wide range of vocational and academic courses for students of all ages studying from Level 1 to Masters degree and across nineteen subject areas including agriculture, animal management, veterinary sciences, horticulture, equine studies, wine, and environmental studies.

Our approach is underpinned by our core values — Professional, Ambitious, Passionate, Supportive, Progressive, and Enterprising — which guide everything we do, from the classroom to the boardroom. We are proud to foster a culture that expects high standards, encourages innovation, and prioritises the learner experience.

The Role

The Vice Principal (Curriculum and Quality) will lead and manage all of the College’s curriculum delivery teams to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate a high-quality, industry-relevant curriculum across all areas of provision, including Further Education (FE), apprenticeships, Higher Education (HE), school partnerships, and part-time learning.

In this role, the Vice Principal will provide exceptional leadership and management to a team of Curriculum Managers and Directors, ensuring that policies, professional development opportunities, and aligned strategies enable staff to fulfil their potential and deliver the best possible experience for our students.  As a key member of the Senior Management Team, you will drive performance, ensure regulatory compliance, and champion innovation and inclusivity in teaching, learning, and assessment, whilst actively contributing to the overall management and strategic direction of the College.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic design, planning and delivery of a high-quality, industry-aligned curriculum across FE and HE.

• Ensure all programmes reflect labour market needs, with clear progression routes and excellent learner outcomes.

• Lead the college’s quality assurance processes, ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, and assessment.

• Prepare for, and respond to, external scrutiny including Ofsted and awarding body inspections.

• Promote the college’s core values through strong leadership, staff development, and learner-focused decision making.

• Respond dynamically to skills needs and opportunities, supporting curriculum agility and innovation.

• Build strong strategic partnerships with employers, awarding bodies, and sector stakeholders.

• Foster a culture of high performance, innovation, and continuous improvement across all curriculum teams.

About You

• Proven experience in a leadership role within a further education setting, be that specialist land-based, sixth form, or general FE.

• Strategic thinker and confident communicator, with the ability to lead organisational change and influence across all levels.

• Strong strategic planning, analytical, and communication skills.

• In-depth understanding of quality frameworks, curriculum development, the Ofsted inspection framework, and skills policy reform.

• Values-driven and learner-focused, with the ability to motivate teams and foster a positive, high-performing culture.

• Committed to inclusivity, progression, and the transformative power of education.

Why Join Us?

• A unique opportunity to shape a progressive, land-based curriculum offer in a college that is values-led and learner-centred.

• Work within an ambitious Senior Management Team that prioritises impact, innovation, and integrity.

• Access to state-of-the-art campus facilities, industry links, a passionate, dedicated workforce, and a supportive professional environment.

• Benefits including membership of the Teacher’s Pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance, free parking, Employee Assistance Programme, discounts on Plumpton wine, produce and short courses, ongoing professional development, and an inclusive working environment.

How to Apply

This is a critical role within the College, and we also welcome expressions of interest from internal candidates who are ready to step into a strategic, high-impact position. To apply, please send your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your skills, experience, and leadership approach aligns with the responsibilities of the role and our strategic priorities.

The closing date for applications is 1^st May 2025 at 12 noon. Interviews will take place on 12^th & 13^th May 2025 and shortlisted candidates should expect to attend both days.

If you would like an informal discussion with the Principal about the role or would like to visit the college prior to applying, please contact Tanya Mehmet, PA to the Principal at tanya.mehmet@plumpton.ac.uk  to make arrangements.

If you would like any information available in a more accessible format, please email recruitment@plumpton.ac.uk

We reserve the right to call candidates to interview/withdraw this vacancy at any time if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as soon as possible.

Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to pursuing non-discriminatory policies and practices and eliminating unfair discrimination on any basis.

Plumpton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.