At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality improvement initiatives and ensure high standards in curriculum delivery.
- Company: The Sheffield College, a vibrant community empowering 13,000 learners annually.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse and inclusive environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives and drive continuous improvement in education.
- Qualifications: Experience in educational leadership and a passion for quality assurance.
The predicted salary is between 61591 - 71401 £ per year.
About us
The Sheffield College is a thriving further and higher education community, empowering around 13,000 learners each year to achieve their goals. Driven by our mission to transform lives through learning, we foster an inclusive environment recognised through our 2026 Investors in Diversity Gold award and 3rd place ranking in the National Centre for Diversity's 2025 Top 100 Most Inclusive UK Employers.
About the role
This Assistant Principal role forms part of the Senior Leadership Team and reports to the Vice Principal Quality, Teaching, Learning, Assessment and Innovation. The postholder will line manage designated Heads of Quality Improvement and contribute to the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of quality across the college. This role ensures high-quality and consistent curriculum delivery across all provision types. The postholder will translate strategic expectations into effective practice, ensuring full implementation of quality initiatives, including strong compliance with awarding bodies and wider stakeholders.
Key Objectives:
- To lead with the implementation of the college's quality approaches, creating and maintaining a culture of continuous improvement, focused on high expectations and achievement.
- To ensure consistent and high-quality curriculum delivery that meets and exceeds expected standards to achieve exceptional outcomes for students.
- To lead the effective implementation of regulatory compliance initiatives, ensuring we meet and exceed the expectations of all our external stakeholders, including awarding bodies.
- To contribute to sustained performance improvement across all provision types.
Main Responsibilities:
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), this post will contribute to the SLT's common goals. To achieve these specific duties, include, but are not limited to:
- Ensuring a high-quality student experience that leads to outstanding achievement, progression and employability outcomes across all provision.
- Providing curriculum leadership that ensures provision is relevant, high-quality and responsive to learner and employer needs.
- Driving continuous improvement in teaching, learning and assessment across all provision types.
- Ensuring inclusive provision that raises aspirations and supports all learners to achieve their full potential.
- Using data and performance intelligence to monitor quality, identify risks and secure timely improvement.
- Contributing to the Senior Leadership Team's strategic planning, decision-making and common goals.
- Line managing designated leaders, providing direction, support, challenge and performance oversight.
- Building leadership capacity through coaching, mentoring and modelling effective leadership practice.
- Deputising for their line manager where appropriate, representing the College and ensuring continuity of leadership.
In addition to core AP responsibilities, this role will:
- Lead the development and implementation of a quality strategy to drive improvement for all provision types across the College.
- Working with Assistant Principals and their Leadership Teams, implement clear strategies for ongoing and impactful quality reviews to support the achievement of College and curriculum area targets and objectives.
- Lead and implement processes that rapidly identify and support any areas of curriculum where outcomes are below targets, ensuring improvement is achieved at pace.
- Create, develop and maintain a culture of continuous improvement and excellence, promoting high expectations and ambitions, together with high achievement.
- Develop, maintain, manage and monitor College quality assurance and self-assessment processes and procedures, including consulting on and preparing the College SAR.
- Lead quality reviews and audits of curriculum/programme areas, key processes etc., as required, making recommendations on action and improvement as appropriate.
- Provide commentary and analysis on performance related data, working closely with the Information Services team responsible for data and reporting; propose and follow-up necessary action; monitor and report on progress towards achieving curriculum improvement priorities and targets.
- Develop and implement plans and preparation for inspection and external reviews, ensuring a high level of compliance with external stakeholders.
- Oversee and take responsibility for a range of the College's quality-related policies, for example External and Internal Quality Assurance; ensure compliance with the requirements of awarding organisations and other regulatory bodies.
- Provide the best possible service to all customers (both internal and external) in line with College standards.
- To play a key role in the business planning process, ensuring strategic plans and initiatives are considered and planned in correspondence to the College's business planning procedures, including budgetary planning.
If you want to find out more about the role please contact Steven Spence, Vice Principal Quality Teaching Learning and Innovation.
What we can offer you
As the successful candidate, you will be offered a salary of between £61,591 - £71,401 per annum based upon a combination of the skills, knowledge and experience that you can bring to the role. Alongside your salary, your pension is one of the most valuable benefits of joining the College. The Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) provides financial security in retirement and support for your loved ones.
Our Full Benefits Package:
- Teachers Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution
- Annual leave - 30 Days (222 hours) + 8 Bank Holidays (59.2 hours) - this includes a discretionary Christmas closure period
- Health and wellbeing, we offer Employee assistance programme through Bupa Occupational Health through PAM
- Free eye tests for VDU users
- Free parking is available at the majority of our campuses
- Hybrid and flexible working opportunities
- Continuous professional development opportunities
- A people-focused working culture where you can grow and thrive
Disability Confident
We are a Disability Confident employer and are committed to removing barriers for applicants with a disability during our recruitment process, upon appointment and as an employee. Please review our Recruitment Guidelines for Disabled Candidates which provides further information on reasonable adjustments and how the Disability Confident scheme works in practice. If you require any reasonable adjustments or any support at any point throughout the process, please contact us.
Armed Forces Covenant
As part of our commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant, we're pledged to support the Armed Forces Community. Recognising the value Personnel, Veterans and military families contribute to our community and country.
Safeguarding
We are an employer who is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. Successful applicants will be required to have an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to safer recruiting procedures. Further details on our safer recruiting procedures, including the employment of ex-offenders can be found here.
Next Steps:
To apply: Click apply online and follow the links to complete the online application. For queries regarding the application process, please contact the Recruitment Team. As a Leader in Diversity employer, we encourage applications from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.
Closing date: 21st of June 2026. Please be aware if we have a high number of applications, we may decide to close the vacancy earlier.
Assistant Principal Quality, Standards and Compliance employer: The Sheffield College
The Sheffield College is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that empowers its staff and students alike. With a strong commitment to professional development, generous benefits including a competitive salary, extensive annual leave, and a focus on health and wellbeing, employees are encouraged to thrive in their roles while contributing to the college's mission of transforming lives through learning. Located in a vibrant community, the college offers unique opportunities for leadership and innovation within the education sector, making it an ideal place for those passionate about quality and compliance in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Principal Quality, Standards and Compliance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at The Sheffield College on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the college's values and recent achievements. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also in being part of our mission to transform lives through learning.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to quality assurance and compliance. We want to see how you can lead and implement strategies that drive improvement across all provision types.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the position. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Principal Quality, Standards and Compliance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Assistant Principal role. Highlight your experience in quality assurance and compliance, and how it aligns with our mission at The Sheffield College.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As this role is part of the Senior Leadership Team, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or initiatives in the past, focusing on continuous improvement and high standards.
Be Data-Driven:Since the role involves using data to monitor quality and performance, include any relevant experience you have with data analysis. Show us how you've used data to drive improvements in curriculum delivery or student outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, so don’t hesitate!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Sheffield College
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into The Sheffield College's mission and values. Understand their commitment to quality, standards, and compliance. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in fostering an inclusive environment and driving continuous improvement.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As this role is part of the Senior Leadership Team, be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or initiatives in the past. Highlight your ability to manage and mentor others, and discuss how you’ve driven improvements in teaching and learning.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role involves using data to monitor quality and identify risks, come equipped with examples of how you've used data analysis to inform decisions in previous roles. Discuss any tools or methodologies you’ve employed to ensure compliance and improve outcomes.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the college's strategic direction and quality initiatives. Inquire about their current challenges in curriculum delivery or how they measure success in compliance. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to their mission.
