Vice Principal (Staff)

Context of the Appointment

MPW London is a leading college which has an enviable track record for its GCSE and A level provision, revision courses and tuition provision. The college usually has around 600 students on roll with a large second intake in January each year. It is highly regarded within the market and its longstanding and well-established reputation enables it to compete not only with other leading colleges but also with leading independent schools.  

The Role

The Vice Principal (Staff) will support the Principal in the daily running of the college and work alongside the existing VPs. The ideal candidate will be pro-active, energetic and combine initiative with a ‘can-do’ attitude. Experience of a commercial education environment, possibly in a comparable college setting, would be ideal; as would experience of managing significant revision course programmes. 

 A member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Vice Principal (Staff) will report to and work closely with the Principal. S/he will also teach a part-time timetable, in common with the other VPs.  Key responsibilities will include:  

• Overseeing student recruitment, interviewing potential students and engaging with their parents during the annual recruitment cycle and ensuring that MPW attracts the best of them; 

• Teaching a part-time timetable; 

• Assisting the Principal during the recruitment period, promoting the college to prospective students and identifying target markets; 

• Ensuring the quality of communication with parents, including involvement in events such as prize giving, parents’ evenings, Open Days etc.; 

• Deputing for the Principal in his absence; 

• Share, with the Principal and other VPs, specific pastoral responsibility for a group of students; 

• Taking a lead on staff matters within the college, including overseeing training and CPD in liaison with other SLT members; 

• Maintaining links with external academic bodies including examination boards and universities and with professional associations.  

There will be opportunities to work on extra projects of an administrative or academic nature. This includes the opportunity to become an Easter Revision Course Director (which involves organising and managing seminars for external students on revision course programmes).    

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will bring a range of skills and experience to this critical leadership role, notably:  

• A strong academic record and pastoral background, including clear evidence of successful teaching experience within this age range; 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with students, parents, staff and the wider college community; 

• Management experience within a comparable educational context as Deputy or Assistant Head or Principal; 

• An experienced interviewer, able to identify strengths and areas for development at the relevant age-entry points; 

• A pro-active and flexible attitude combined with a strong work ethic; 

• Experience of – or an evident commitment to - working in a commercially driven environment; 

• Confident in his or her ability to be an effective manager and to match this with excellent pastoral care; 

• Inspection experience would be desirable, ideally as an ISI inspector; 

• Up to date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and guidance; 

• Knowledge of A level and GCSE specifications and curriculum initiatives; 

• An academic background in science or mathematics would be desirable.  

Terms and Conditions  

This is a full time and permanent position.  There will be a competitive salary based on previous experience. There will be significant opportunity for additional bonuses from additional responsibilities.  

How to Apply  

MPW London has retained Wild Search to advise on this appointment.   Anyone interested in discussing the requirements further by contacting Poppy Bryanton or Daniel Barry on 0207 233 2115 or apply by email mpw@wildsearch.org including:  

1. A full curriculum vitae; 

2. A covering note of c500 words, setting out relevant experience and interest and how you meet the criteria set out in the person specification above; 

3. Names and contact details of three referees (none of whom will be contacted without your consent and, if so, only after shortlisting).  

Shortlisting will take place during the week commencing Monday 20th March and interviews will take place during the week beginning Monday 27th March. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by Wild Search.   It is hoped that the successful candidate will be able to start as soon as his or her notice period is completed and no later than 14th August 2017.