Vice Principal – Curriculum & Quality | West Thames College in Isleworth

Home / Roles / Vice Principal – Curriculum & Quality | West Thames College

Vice Principal – Curriculum & Quality West Thames College

Play a defining role in the future of West Thames College. Building on a reputation for educational excellence and an ambitious new strategy, you will drive curriculum innovation, inspire colleagues and make a lasting difference to learners and communities across West London.

• Location: Isleworth, London

West Thames College is a highly successful and inclusive further education college serving the diverse communities of West London. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in December 2024, we have a well‑established reputation for educational excellence, innovative teaching and learning, and a commitment to ensuring every learner achieves their full potential.

As we embark on our ambitious 2030 Strategy, we are seeking a Vice Principal – Curriculum & Quality to play a defining role in our future. Working closely with the Principal & CEO and executive team, you will provide strategic leadership for curriculum, quality and innovation, driving continuous improvement, digital transformation and responsiveness to evolving skills priorities across the region.

This is a compelling opportunity for an ambitious, collaborative and forward‑thinking educational leader who combines strategic vision with a genuine commitment to developing people.

You will build on our achievements, inspire colleagues and play a central role in shaping an exciting future for our students, employers and communities.

Who we are

West Thames College is a vibrant, inclusive and high‑performing further education college, delivering education and training to around 6,000 students and apprentices each year across our campuses in Isleworth and Feltham.

As the only general further education college in the London Borough of Hounslow, we play a pivotal role in supporting social mobility, widening participation and responding to the evolving skills needs of employers and communities across West London. Our broad curriculum spans academic, vocational and technical education, adult learning, apprenticeships and higher education, creating pathways to success for learners at every stage of life.

We are proud of our achievements, including our ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted outcome in December 2024 and consistently ranking among London’s top colleges for student achievement. Guided by our values of Integrity, Excellence, Equality and Respect, we are committed to delivering exceptional education, strengthening our partnerships and ensuring every learner has the opportunity to "Start Here, Go Far."

About the role

As Vice Principal – Curriculum & Quality, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of West Thames College, building on our considerable achievements while leading the next phase of curriculum innovation, quality improvement and educational excellence.

Working closely with the Principal & CEO and executive team, you will provide strategic leadership across our curriculum provision, ensuring it remains ambitious, inclusive and responsive to the evolving needs of learners, employers and the wider economy.

Your key priorities will include:

• Leading curriculum development and quality improvement, maintaining exceptional standards of teaching, learning and assessment.
• Driving digital innovation and transformation to enhance the learner experience and prepare students for the future world of work.
• Expanding apprenticeships, higher education and employer‑responsive provision to support growth and meet regional skills needs.
• Deepening employer and stakeholder partnerships, ensuring our curriculum remains aligned to local, regional and national priorities.
• Inspiring and developing high‑performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

You will be instrumental in translating our 2030 Strategy into meaningful and measurable progress, ensuring West Thames College continues to deliver outstanding opportunities, experiences and outcomes for every learner.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an ambitious, forward‑thinking and collaborative educational leader who shares our commitment to excellence, inclusion and student success.

You will bring the strategic vision, professional credibility and personal qualities needed to inspire colleagues, challenge thinking and build on our achievements, while recognising and valuing the strengths that have contributed to our success.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Substantial experience of senior educational leadership within further education, with a proven track record of driving curriculum development, quality improvement and positive learner outcomes.
• A comprehensive understanding of the evolving post‑16 education and skills landscape, with the ability to translate policy, funding developments and regional priorities into ambitious, responsive curriculum strategies.
• The ability to use data, research and evidence to inform strategic decision‑making, identify opportunities and drive sustainable improvements in performance.
• Experience of leading and developing high‑performing teams, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
• The confidence and credibility to build effective relationships with Governors, employers and external partners, influencing strategically and representing the College at a senior level.
• A genuine commitment to inclusive education, equality of opportunity and ensuring every learner can achieve their full potential.

Above all, you will be an approachable, authentic and values‑led leader who combines ambition with humility, listens to others and brings people with you.

We welcome applications from experienced Vice Principals, as well as accomplished Assistant Principals or Directors who are ready to take the next step into executive leadership.

Peridot Partners and West Thames College are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

About us

West Thames College is an ambitious and inclusive further education college serving West London, with campuses in Isleworth and Feltham.

The college provides a broad range of academic, vocational and technical education, apprenticeships and adult learning opportunities, supporting young people and adults to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve their ambitions.

Its diverse curriculum spans a wide range of subject areas, supported by specialist facilities and practical learning environments that prepare students for employment, higher education and further study.

The college has strong relationships with employers, schools, local authorities and community partners. These partnerships help ensure that provision responds to the skills needs of the local and regional economy, while creating opportunities for students to gain industry experience and develop the skills needed for their future careers.

West Thames College plays an important role in supporting social mobility, widening participation and developing the workforce of the future. With a commitment to inclusion, opportunity and continuous improvement, the college seeks to transform lives through education and make a lasting contribution to the communities it serves.

As the college continues to develop its provision, partnerships and strategic ambitions, it remains focused on providing an excellent educational experience and ensuring that students are equipped to progress and succeed in a changing world.

We want our students to “Start Here, Go Far.”

At West Thames College, we are committed to safeguarding our students. The safety of students continues to be a primary focus. We practice safe staff recruitment and check the suitability of staff and volunteers who work with young students or vulnerable adults. Please note that it is an offence to apply for a role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

We understand that different members of the community have different access needs and have made some modifications to the way we do business to accommodate people from diverse communities and abilities.

We offer the following amenities:

• Step free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation
• Accessibility dogs are welcome
• Interviews can be held in meeting rooms that support hearing loops
• Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
• A sign language interpreter can be accessed for interview
• Working patterns and locations can be adjusted

Further information

West Thames College has achieved Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) accreditation, the highest level of the Government scheme. The independently validated award recognises the college’s inclusive recruitment and employment practices, support for disabled employees and applicants, and leadership in sharing good practice with other organisations.

The accreditation builds on the college’s wider commitment to inclusion, including reasonable adjustments for staff and students, specialist Supported Learning provision, the Independence Hub partnership with the London Borough of Hounslow, and an Ofsted rating of Outstanding for learners with high needs in December 2024.

Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.

Timetable

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 14th December 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Thursday 7th January 2027
First stage interviews: Thursday 21st January 2027

We are in the process of confirming second stage interview dates. Once confirmed, we will update the site and contact applicants.

Peridot and West Thames College are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.

The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018.

Data Processing, Protection and Privacy Policy

By completing the form to view, or if you have access to this page from an email invitation, Peridot Partners will have processed your personal information. For more information about Peridot Partners’ data processing activities and your rights, please readour Privacy Policy .