Principal - King Edward VI College, Nuneaton
Salary: £104,125 - £114,190 (L24-L28)
Location: King Edward VI College, Nuneaton
Reports to: LGB Chair & CEO, Better Futures Multi Academy Trust
Direct Reports: Members of the College Senior Leadership Team
Role within the Trust: Member of the Better Futures Multi Academy Trust Executive Team
Role Purpose
The Principal is responsible for providing clear leadership and direction for King Edward VI College, ensuring that students receive a high quality educational experience and that the college continues to develop in line with its values, ambitions and statutory responsibilities.
The role combines college leadership with system leadership. As Principal of KE6, you will lead the next phase of the college's development, strengthening quality, improving outcomes and embedding ways of working that build trust, agency and professionalism. As a member of the Trust Executive Team, you will also play a key role in shaping and leading aspects of Better Futures Multi Academy Trust's strategy, culture and cross Trust improvement work.
This is a role for a leader who understands that sustainable improvement is achieved through clarity, coherence and shared responsibility, rather than compliance, fear or short term intervention.
Core Accountabilities
1. Leadership of King Edward VI College
- Provide clear strategic leadership for the college, translating Trust direction and college values into coherent plans that improve quality, experience and outcomes.
- Lead the development of a culture where students are expected and supported to take increasing responsibility for their learning and progression.
- Create the conditions in which staff are trusted to exercise professional judgement, collaborate effectively and continue to develop their practice.
- Act as the chief ambassador for the college, strengthening its reputation and relationships locally, regionally and nationally.
2. Teaching, Learning and Student Experience
- Ensure that high quality teaching, learning and assessment are at the centre of college life.
- Lead improvement in student outcomes through sustained focus on curriculum quality, pedagogy and assessment, rather than short term or performative approaches.
- Champion student voice and student led learning, moving beyond consultation towards meaningful agency and co creation.
- Ensure inclusive practice so that all students, regardless of background, are supported to thrive and progress.
3. Trust Executive Leadership and System Contribution
- Act as an active and influential member of the Trust Executive Team, contributing to the strategic direction of Better Futures Multi Academy Trust.
- Take a lead role in shaping and delivering Trust wide priorities and cross college initiatives, particularly in areas aligned to expertise and interest.
- Work collaboratively with fellow Principals and Trust leaders to reduce silos, share learning and strengthen collective capacity.
- Contribute to the development of Trust culture, ways of working and leadership practice.
4. Governance, Accountability and Compliance
- Work in close partnership with the Local Governing Body, providing clear information, professional advice and open dialogue.
- Be accountable for the educational performance, safeguarding, financial health and operational effectiveness of the college.
- Ensure the college meets all statutory, regulatory and funding requirements, including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality duties.
- Uphold the Trust's scheme of delegation and governance expectations, balancing autonomy with accountability.
5. People, Resources and Sustainability
- Lead and develop the Senior Leadership Team, ensuring clarity of roles, strong collaboration and shared ownership of improvement.
- Ensure effective financial planning and resource management in line with Trust frameworks and public accountability.
- Oversee the effective management and development of the college estate, including leading the college through the opportunities and challenges associated with the planned DfE rebuild.
- Ensure staff development, wellbeing and workload are considered as integral to sustainable improvement.
6. External Engagement and Partnerships
- Build and maintain effective relationships with schools, universities, employers and other partners.
- Strengthen progression pathways and opportunities for students.
- Represent the college and the Trust positively in external forums and partnerships.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- A proven track record of successful senior leadership in a post 16 or comparable educational setting.
- Significant experience of leading organisational improvement and change.
- Strong understanding of teaching, learning, curriculum and assessment in a 16-19 context.
- Experience of working with governance structures and accountability frameworks.
- Financial and resource management experience sufficient to lead a complex organisation.
Leadership Attributes, Values and Behaviours
Better Futures Multi Academy Trust is values led. The Principal will demonstrate these attributes personally and actively develop them in others.
Ambitious
- Sets a clear and compelling direction, inspiring others to aim higher than they thought possible.
- Focuses on collective improvement rather than individual heroics.
- Seeks simplicity and clarity rather than over complex systems.
Curious
- Demonstrates a strong appetite for learning, reflection and improvement.
- Welcomes challenge and alternative perspectives.
- Encourages experimentation and learning from experience.
Involved
- Is visible, accessible and engaged with students, staff and the wider community.
- Builds strong partnerships within the college, across the Trust and beyond.
- Champions inclusion and challenges practices that limit participation or opportunity.
Supportive
- Leads with empathy and emotional intelligence, particularly in complex or pressured situations.
- Invests in the development, wellbeing and growth of staff.
- Understands the difference between empowerment and abdication.
Genuine
- Acts with integrity, honesty and transparency.
- Is willing to acknowledge uncertainty, mistakes and development needs.
- Models constructive challenge and professional candour.
Optimistic
- Maintains belief in the potential of students and staff, even when progress is uneven.
- Celebrates success while remaining focused on improvement.
- Challenges cynicism and low expectations through action, not rhetoric.
What This Role Is - and Is Not
This role is for a Principal who:
- Is excited by building something deliberately over time.
- Believes improvement and wellbeing are mutually reinforcing.
- Is comfortable leading in uncertainty and complexity.
- Develop themselves and others around them.
- Create a positive and optimistic culture.
This role is not for someone who:
- Relies primarily on compliance, fear or positional authority.
- Sees system leadership as a distraction rather than an opportunity.
- Wants a role where the work is already finished.
For further information, please contact our exclusive partner, Stef Tomlinson at Morgan Hunt. A bespoke candidate pack is available.
Key Dates:
- Application deadline: 11th March
- Senior Executive Assessment Process: 25th–26th March (candidates must be available)