Assistant Principal

Bridge College is the Together Trust's specialist education college for students aged 16 to 25 with disabilities, autism and complex needs. The college promotes a multidisciplinary approach to learning and has expertise in supporting students with a wide range of needs.

Location:

Bridge College, Openshaw, Manchester.

Hours:

37.5 hours, 41 weeks direct term + 150 undirected hours. Salary: £57,392.00 with biennial increments.

• Support the Principal in shaping, communicating and implementing the strategic vision, priorities and improvement agenda for the college and the wider Trust.
• Uphold and model the college and Trust’s principles, policies, aims and values.
• Sustain and develop Bridge College as an inclusive, student‑focused organisation and an effective learning environment where learner voice is heard, valued and acted upon.
• Contribute to annual business and improvement planning, ensuring that priorities are informed by learner need, quality assurance evidence, operational performance and available resources.
• Promote high expectations and ensure effective multidisciplinary working to enable students to overcome barriers to learning and make strong and sustained progress.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of teaching, learning, support and wider curriculum provision on learner outcomes, and use this analysis to inform improvement priorities and interventions.
• Work with the Principal and senior leaders to ensure the college remains accountable to students, families, governors, commissioners, local authorities, the Department for Education and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Governing Body and its committees, attending meetings and reporting on progress against agreed priorities, performance indicators and areas for development.
• Be a visible and positive role model, treat all colleagues and stakeholders fairly, equitably and with dignity and respect, and promote a positive and inclusive culture.
• Lead, motivate, support and develop staff through effective supervision, appraisal, mentoring and continuing professional development.
• Build leadership capacity across the college by coaching current and aspiring leaders and supporting succession planning and talent development.
• Take responsibility for personal professional development and remain up to date with policy, legislation, guidance and best practice relevant to the role.
• Lead and manage business, community engagement and college improvement functions across the college, including line management of staff and teams within these areas.
• Contribute to strategic service planning and lead on the development, implementation and review of related improvement priorities, ensuring that activity is evidence‑based, outcome‑focused and aligned to the college and Trust strategic plans.
• Establish, implement and monitor short, medium and long‑term plans to improve learner achievement, retention, progression, quality of provision and operational effectiveness, including the annual Quality Improvement Plan.

• A degree or relevant professional qualification in education or a related field.
• Qualified teacher/lecturer status QTS/QTLS.
• Management or leadership qualification appropriate to a post operating at this level.
• Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to SEND, leadership, safeguarding and quality improvement.
• Teaching experience within SEND.
• Senior leadership or management experience within an education setting with SEND responsibilities.
• Experience of strategic planning, service development and leading quality improvement in an education or specialist provision setting.
• Experience of safeguarding and safe learner concepts and leading in complex or high‑risk situations.
• Experience of preparing evidence and documentation for inspection, audit or formal review processes.
• Experience of line management, supervision, appraisal and staff development.
• Experience of health and safety management ranging from operational practice to strategic oversight.
• Experience of community projects, partnership working and initiatives that lead to whole‑college development.
• Experience of writing reports to support funding applications.