Together Trust
Assistant Principal
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Assistant Principal
Assistant Principal – Bridge College, Openshaw, Manchester
Bridge College, part of the Together Trust, is a specialist education college for students aged 16–25 with disabilities, autism, and complex needs. It promotes a multidisciplinary approach to learning, with expertise in supporting diverse educational requirements.
As one of the UK’s best employers, we put people at the heart of everything we do—hiring an Assistant Principal to join our senior leadership team.
Location
Bridge College, Openshaw, Manchester
Hours & Salary
- 37.5 hours, 41 weeks (direct term) + 150 undirected hours
- Salary: £57,392.00 (with biennial increments)
About the Role
The Assistant Principal will:
- Support the Principal in shaping, communicating, and implementing the strategic vision, priorities, and improvement agenda for the college and the wider Trust.
- Ensure the college upholds its principles, policies, aims, and values.
- Sustain and develop Bridge College as an inclusive, student-focused organisation, where learner voice is heard and acted upon.
- Collaborate on annual business and improvement planning, aligning priorities with learner needs, operational performance, and resource constraints.
Key responsibilities also include:
- Leadership of business development, community engagement, and college improvement – including line management of relevant teams.
- Monitoring and evaluating teaching, learning, and support to inform interventions.
- Ensuring accountability to stakeholders, including families, governors, commissioners, and the Department for Education.
- Visibility and role modelling, fostering fairness, equity, and respect.
- Staff development, including supervision, appraisal, mentoring, and continuing professional development.
- Building leadership capacity through coaching, succession planning, and talent development
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Operational Leadership
- Support Turnaround Plans to enhance student outcomes and college effectiveness.
- Align strategy with the wider Trust vision, policy directives, safeguarding principles, and quality priorities.
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Performance & Improvement
- Work with the Principal and senior leaders to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of:
- Teaching and learning
- Student progress
- Curriculum delivery
- College policy implementation
Collegial Leadership & Governance
- Act as a key link with the Governing Body, attending meetings and reporting on progress against:
- Performance indicators
- Strategic priorities
- Areas for development
Staff Development & Welfare
- Lead, motivate, and support colleagues through:
- Effective supervision
- Appraisals, mentoring, and professional development
- Promote inclusivity and positive workplace culture
Community & External Engagement
- Lead initiatives to enhance internal and external relationships.
What We Are Looking For
Essentials
- A degree or relevant professional qualification in education or a related field.
- QTS/QTLS status (Qualified Teacher/Lecturer).
- Fully qualified in SEND, with experience supporting students with complex needs.
- Formal management or leadership qualification at an appropriate level.
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in:
- SEND
- Leadership
- Safeguarding
- Quality improvement frameworks
- At least 5 yearspost-qualification SEND teaching experience (or equivalent in equivalent roles).
- Senior leadership/management experience within education or specialist SEND provision:
- Strategic planning and service development.
- Quality improvement frameworks.
- Safeguarding leadership in complex situations.
- Experience of inspection, audit, or regulatory review processes, including evidence preparation.
- Demonstrable line management competence, including:
- Supervision, appraisal, and doctoral staff development.
- Health and safety knowledge across operational and strategic levels.
Desirables include:
- A Postgraduate qualification in:
- Leadership or management
- SEND, disability studies, education-related disciplines
- Whole-college strategic leadership experience.
- Experience of collaborating with external agencies (e.g., clinical partnerships) to enhance provision.
- Familiarity with DfE funding models and Local Authority partnership processes.
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Why Join the Together Trust?
Benefits & Supporting Your Wellbeing
- Generous pension scheme: Up to 7% company contribution, progressing over time (up to 6 x salary death in service benefit).
- Family-friendly policies: Occupation sick pay, enhanced maternity/paternity/adoptive leave.
- Reward & Discount Scheme: Perks including high street shops, travel, and insurance discounts.
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Blue Light Card eligibility and Living Wage employment
- Refer-A-Friend Scheme – earn rewards for colleagues
- Development opportunities, including apprenticeships and leadership training.
- Wellbeing initiatives: Yoga sessions, Mental Health First Aiders, Employee Assistance Programme.
- Inclusive networks for staff:
- Disability & Neurodiversity Action Group
- LGBTQ+ initiative (Proud Together)
- Race Equality Network, Together for Men & Women Together
We empower change
Every day, we uphold the rights, needs, and ambitions of the people we support. Working behind this mission means fostering a dynamic environment where staff spark development and work towards shared improvements every day.
Commitments
- Safeguarding: All staff undertake regulated activity. Our Safeguarding Policy applies across roles.
- Diversity & Inclusion:
- We celebrate applicants from all backgrounds, including protected characteristics.
- Reasonable adjustments are made to support disabled candidates.
- Confidentiality: Any sensitive background can be shared with us discreetly.
- Early applications encouraged—vacancy may close prematurely if an ideal candidate is found.
Let’s work together for progress! getchimoving.org/joining-us
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