Vice Principal - Curriculum
Minsthorpe Community College, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF9 2UJ31 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
12 January 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
12 December 2025
Job details
Job role
- Deputy headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time: Full-time, Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £86,669 - £93,423
What skills and experience we're looking for
Qualifications
Qualified Teacher Status.
Senior Leadership Experience
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Have a proven track record of leading on a range of aspects of school improvement (particularly in the areas of curriculum, assessment and outcomes, pedagogy and professional development.)
Ability to develop specialist knowledge and keep up to date with local and national policy developments.
Demonstrable success in raising standards and meeting challenging targets.
Ability to interpret and implement new legislation, policies and directives.
Ability to analyse information from a wide variety of sources and solve complex problems.
Ability to demonstrate sound organisational skills, work under pressure and determine priorities to meet tight deadlines.
Ability to provide clear educational vision and direction.
Ability to work in partnership with senior leaders and governors.
Ability to analyse and use student data on attainment and progress to raise standards.
Knowledge and understanding of the Ofsted statutory inspection framework.
Experience of leading, coaching and motivating staff within a performance management framework, supporting their development and effectively challenging and managing any underperformance.
Ability to recognise and be sensitive to the needs of all stakeholders, demonstrating empathy and emotional intelligence.
Evidence of successfully operating at both strategic and operational levels.
Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with other senior leaders, teachers, associate staff, students and parents.
An excellent classroom practitioner and leader of pedagogy.
Experience of presenting high quality, strategic information to governors and supporting their role as a ‘critical friend’.
Understanding of what excellence looks like within educational leadership, management, teaching and learning.
Knowledge of equality of opportunity issues and how they can be addressed in schools.
Evidence of relevant continuing and recent professional development.
A proven track record of delivering change and sustained improvement.
Experience of impactful leadership as part of a school leadership team.
Understand the role of parents and the community in school improvement and how this can be promoted and developed.
Ability to work under pressure, to prioritise appropriately and to meet deadlines.
Knowledge and understanding of statutory requirements, relevant legislation and government strategies.
Up to date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the protection of, children and young people and demonstrate an understanding of safeguarding issues and the ability to follow procedures.
Leadership qualities, including energy, resilience and the ability to enthuse and motivate others.
Personal Attributes
Deep alignment with the vision and ethos of Minsthorpe Community College.
A strong belief in the importance of clear systems and consistency.
A visible, energetic and principled leader.
Relentless ambition for all staff and students.
The ability to lead confidently and with conviction, to put students first and to accept no excuses.
A good sense of humour.
An appetite for hard work.
The ability to work to tight deadlines and managing competing priorities.
Strong organisational skills.
Excellent attention to detail.
Sound judgment.
Other Requirements
Ability to maintain discretion when privy to confidential information.
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Willingness to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
Commitment to equality, diversity & inclusion.
What the school offers its staff
Free on-site gym membership
Cycle to Work Scheme
Teachers' Pension
Free on-site parking
Further information about the job
Governors are seeking to appoint a dedicated and highly motivated strategic leader who will be able to lead this thriving Community College and build on our recent successes. Our most recent Ofsted report (2023) described us as a “Good college” who “invests in staff’s development. This means that staff feel valued and are proud to work at the school ... Leaders support staff well and consider their workload and well-being” ….. "There is a focused, purposeful atmosphere around the school, which is underpinned by the school’s vision of motivation, commitment and care.“ …. Pupils are confident, well-mannered and eager to share their opinions. They work hard in lessons and are keen to succeed.”
Why work at Minsthorpe?
Minsthorpe Community College is a large, vibrant, and inclusive community college with a student body of over 1600 students ranging from 11 to 19 years, including a Resource Provision and onsite Alternative Provision. We are oversubscribed taking children from six primary schools in our pyramid and are pleased to welcome children from neighbouring areas. The college covers a large and very populated area and is much larger than most secondary schools. The college is situated to the South East of Wakefield and serves the villages of South Elmsall, South Kirkby and Upton. The catchment area covers three of the five most deprived wards in the Wakefield district (and they are among 10% most deprived areas in the UK). Students come from below average levels of social deprivation; the percentage of disadvantaged students entitled to free school meals (34.7%) is higher than the national average (27.9%).
Outcomes at the end of Key Stage 4 and 5 at Minsthorpe Community College are consistently in line with, or exceed, national benchmarks. In our Post-16 provision, we support learners across all ability levels by offering a broad curriculum that includes Level 1, 2, and 3 qualifications. This inclusive approach enables students to progress confidently into further education, training, or employment. Notably, this year, 94% of students progressing to university are first-generation entrants to higher education—an achievement that reflects our strong commitment to social mobility and student success.
We have a highly skilled team of teachers and associate staff that always act in the best interest of the students. We offer excellent facilities for learning and teaching with dedicated blocks for each subject area, as well as community dimensions including a sports & fitness centre and a children’s centre. This year has seen the completion of the building and renovation work at the College, which was funded by the DfE School Rebuilding Programme, with a state-of-the-art PE block, including a Sports Hall, two studios and excellent changing facilities, as its centrepiece.
The role of Vice Principal at Minsthorpe Community College requires a visionary leader who is committed to our values and dedicated to turning our shared vision into reality. At Minsthorpe, we invest in the recruitment, development and retention of caring professionals who are committed to constantly reviewing and improving the quality of learning, teaching and support. We expect that staff are motivated to work collaboratively in setting high expectations for all students with a relentless focus on student learning and progress. In return, you will benefit from working with caring colleagues who will support you in your role and your personal and professional development.
You will have a proven track record of leading sustained improvement, and a commitment to maintaining and strengthening parental and community links by working in partnership with parents, staff, governors and the wider community. You will share the ethos of the Principal and be a highly effective communicator who earns respect from students and staff alike.
The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of our Person Specification and be subject to an enhanced DBS check. A prohibition from teaching check and an online search will also be completed for all applicants.
Minsthorpe Community College is committed to equality of opportunity and upholding the principles of the Equality Act 2010. We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community. Only applications submitted with a completed Minsthorpe Academy Trust Application Form will be considered.
Full-time permanent employees are provided with free membership of our on-site Sports & Fitness Centre, as well as the facility of an on-site Children’s Centre.
Further particulars for this post can be obtained by visiting our Web Site at www.minsthorpe.cc
If you would like to arrange a visit to the college, we would be more than happy to show you around so you can get a feel for who we are. Dates available for visits are Wednesday 17th December 2025, and Wednesday 7th January 2026 at 9.00am or 3.00pm. Please email cgreen@minsthorpe.cc with your preferred date and time.
Please send completed application forms to Cath Green, Director of HR & Associate Teams:
cgreen@minsthorpe.cc by midday – Monday 12th January 2026.
Shortlisting will take place on Tuesday 13th January 2026.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd January 2026.
Commitment to safeguarding
Minsthorpe Community College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Minsthorpe Community College
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1575 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Minsthorpe Community College website
- Email address
- cgreen@minsthorpe.cc
- Phone number
- 01977657600
Location: Wakefield, United Kingdom
Type: Mainstream School
Phase: Secondary with sixth form
Funding status: State - Academy
Gender: Mixed
Age range: 11 - 18 years
Arranging a visit to Minsthorpe Community College
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email cgreen@minsthorpe.cc.
School location
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