At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage curriculum provision in Creative Industries, ensuring outstanding education and training.
- Company: Join Kingston College, a key player in post-16 education and community development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 37 days annual leave, excellent pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture focused on student success and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' futures while working in a dynamic educational environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in education and strong understanding of Ofsted and Government policies.
Fixed Term Contract Maternity Leave from August 2026. Please note that this post is funded for the 2026/27 academic year onwards so the successful candidate would not be expected to commence in post prior to August 2026.
Kingston College is seeking an Interim Deputy Head of School to support the Head of School in leading and managing curriculum provision within the School of Creative Industries. The role is focused on delivering outstanding education and training across study programmes, adult learning and higher education, ensuring students achieve excellent outcomes, develop employability skills and progress into further study or employment.
As a member of both the School Management Group (SMG) and College Management Group (CMG), the successful candidate will contribute to the strategic and operational leadership of the College. They will support the implementation of College policies and procedures, including quality assurance, target setting, compliance, and staff and student management.
The role has a strong focus on improving programme performance through high-quality teaching, learning and assessment, effective curriculum leadership, and the monitoring and support of curriculum teams. The Deputy Head will also promote employability and progression opportunities through work experience and industry-related learning.
We are looking for someone who holds relevant professional qualifications, with a proven track record of successfully leading and managing large teams including teachers, technicians and support staff at a senior level. The successful candidate will have an excellent understanding of the work of Ofsted, OfS, awarding bodies and other relevant regulators, alongside strong knowledge of Government policy and emerging developments influencing the curriculum, particularly in relation to local and regional economy.
You will have a strong record of identifying interventions for improvements and executing these effectively with a demonstrable record of working with subjects/courses that required improvement and achieving improvement. You will also possess excellent staff appraisal and training skills, together with significant experience of dealing effectively with issues through relevant HR processes.
In addition, you will have highly developed information management skills and a proven ability to use College systems effectively, while maintaining a thorough understanding of College policies and procedures.
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 5th June 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 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.
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.
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 achieve and progress.
When you click on ‘Apply’, you will be forwarded to the application page which sits on a platform hosted by an external partner called Blue Octopus who support STCG throughout the recruitment process.
Interim Deputy Head of School – Creative Industries in Grove employer: Kingston College
Kingston College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and a commitment to equality and diversity, the college fosters an environment where staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on students' lives in the vibrant community of London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Deputy Head of School – Creative Industries in Grove
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who have experience with creative industries. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the college's values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just a fit for the role but also align with our mission to enhance student success and employability.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you've improved programme performance in the past. We want to hear about your successes and how you can bring that magic to our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our fantastic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Deputy Head of School – Creative Industries in Grove
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Interim Deputy Head of School. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading teams and managing curriculum provision, be sure to include specific examples of your leadership experience. We want to see how you've successfully managed large teams and improved programme performance.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your professional qualifications and any relevant training. This is crucial for us to understand your background and how it fits with the requirements of the position.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kingston College
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the curriculum provision within the School of Creative Industries. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and developments in education, especially those that impact employability and progression opportunities. This will show your commitment to delivering outstanding education and training.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in leading and managing large teams. Have specific examples ready that highlight your ability to improve programme performance and support staff development. This is crucial for a role that involves strategic and operational leadership.
✨Understand Regulatory Frameworks
Brush up on your knowledge of Ofsted, OfS, and other relevant regulators. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks influence curriculum decisions and quality assurance processes. Showing that you understand the regulatory landscape will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Showcase Your Improvement Strategies
Think about past interventions you've implemented for improvement and be prepared to share these success stories. Highlight your ability to identify issues and execute effective solutions, particularly in subjects or courses that required improvement. This will demonstrate your proactive approach to enhancing educational outcomes.
