Deputy Head of School - Commercial Industries and Access School in Grove

Fixed Term Contract Maternity Cover from October 2026. Kingston College is seeking a Deputy Head of School - Commercial Industries and Access School to play a key leadership role, combining the management of their Section with active membership of the School Management Group (SMG) and a wider operational role for the College.

As part of the role, you will join the College Management Group (CMG), which comprises Deputy Heads of School from across the College alongside managers from support service areas. Working closely with the Principal for Curriculum, the CMG is responsible for driving the College’s strategic priorities and ensuring their effective delivery.

Working in partnership with the Head of School and other members of the School Management Group, you will support the implementation and communication of College policies, procedures and quality standards. This includes overseeing key processes such as target setting, progress review calendars, performance management and disciplinary procedures, while ensuring that all staff consistently meet the expectations and standards set by the College.

A central focus of the role will be improving student outcomes across the School. You will lead and support curriculum teams on securing relevant skills, high grades, improving teaching, learning and assessment, monitoring and supporting curriculum teams, ensuring all students have the opportunity to develop their employability skills through work experience and other work-related learning, and supporting progression to relevant Further and Higher Education courses and other training and employment destinations.

The role carries a professional responsibility to be a highly competent user of key College systems and to be thoroughly conversant with all College policies and procedures. We are seeking an experienced and inspiring educational leader who holds a degree or relevant professional qualification in a subject area aligned to the School’s provision.

You will have experience of working with awarding and regulatory bodies, such as Ofsted, QAA and External Verifiers (EVs), and a successful track record in teaching and/or pastoral leadership, with evidence of delivering strong student outcomes. You will possess a thorough understanding of curriculum design, planning and delivery, including current developments and emerging changes within your sector.

Alongside this, you will have experience of curriculum planning, budgeting, resource allocation and performance monitoring to ensure high-quality provision and sustainable growth. You will have a strong understanding of evidence-informed teaching, learning and assessment, together with the ability to evaluate and improve practice across teams. A comprehensive knowledge of national standards, quality frameworks and what constitutes outstanding curriculum provision and learner outcomes is essential.

With highly developed analytical and information management skills, you will be confident in using management information systems with a strong record in identifying interventions for needed improvements and executing them effectively. You will also have a proven track record of leading and managing change, building high-performing teams and working collaboratively with a range of external partners, including schools, universities, colleges, employers and other stakeholders, to enhance opportunities and outcomes for students.

The successful candidate will be eligible for any increase in salary as a consequence of the annual cost of living review that will be implemented in the new academic year. Closing date for the return of completed applications is 3rd July 2026. Interviews will be held on 6th July 2026.

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. 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.

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. We are looking for hard-working and collaborative people who can join our team and help challenge our students to progress and achieve.