Blackstone Education are working with an Independent Alternative provision based in South East London who are recruiting a permanent Assistant Principal - STEM
About the provision:
Our client are an independent alternative provision school with sports as a
specialism. They support students referred by mainstream schools and the Local Authority, placing pastoral care and holistic education at the centre of everything we do.
Role Overview:
This is a newly created role with an immediate start. The Assistant Principal – Curriculum will provide strategic and operational leadership of the academy’s whole-school curriculum, with a particular focus on STEM provision.
The successful candidate will be an experienced curriculum leader, with a minimum of two years’ experience in a whole-school or senior curriculum leadership role. They will be a qualified Maths teacher, or have the ability to teach Maths, and will be expected to contribute to teaching alongside their leadership responsibilities.
The postholder should have specialist expertise in at least two of the four STEM subjects. The ability to offer leadership and teaching across a broader range of STEM subjects, including coverage of all four subjects, is desirable and will attract additional remuneration.
The post holder will be responsible for ensuring a high-quality, coherent, ambitious, and inclusive curriculum that enables all learners to achieve strong outcomes, develop technical competence, and progress successfully into further education, employment, or training.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Assistant Principal will contribute to whole-school leadership, culture, and continuous improvement, modelling excellent teaching, learning, and professional practice.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Curriculum Leadership
- Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of the academy-wide curriculum, ensuring alignment with statutory requirements, awarding body specifications, and the academy’s vision.
-Act as Curriculum Lead, providing specialist leadership in a minimum of two STEM subjects (e.g. Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Computing or Technology)
-Ensure curriculum sequencing supports progression of knowledge, skills, and behaviours over time.
-Champion innovation in curriculum design, including applied, project-based, and employer-informed learning.
Quality of Education
-Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment across STEM and the wider curriculum.
-Use data, learner voice, and work scrutiny to drive curriculum improvement and close gaps in achievement.
-Support subject leaders and teachers to develop curriculum intent, implementation, and impact.
-Ensure high-quality assessment practices, including internal verification and moderation where required.
Teaching & Learning
-Model consistently high standards of teaching and learning.
-Teach within STEM specialism as required.
-Support staff development through coaching, mentoring, and targeted CPD.
-Promote inclusive practice and high expectations for all learners, including those with SEND and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Internal Verification & Compliance
* Act as Internal Verifier (IV) for Pearson qualifications, ensuring compliance with awarding body standards.
* Support quality assurance processes, audits, and external verification visits.
* Ensure accurate documentation, standardisation, and assessment integrity.
Enrichment & Wider Curriculum
* Lead or contribute to enrichment programmes, including STEM clubs, projects, competitions, and employer engagement.
* Support delivery of assemblies, themed curriculum events, and cross-curricular initiatives.
* Contribute to curriculum areas such as food, cinematography, or creative STEM where appropriate.
Leadership & Culture
* Deputise for the Principal as required.
* Contribute to strategic planning, self-evaluation, and school improvement planning.
* Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
* Build strong relationships with learners, staff, parents/carers, employers, and external partners.
Assistant Principal Duties
* Support the Principal in the strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the academy.
* Contribute to school self-evaluation and the delivery of the School Improvement Plan, supporting the academy’s journey towards an Outstanding Ofsted judgement.
* Lead on designated whole-school priorities (e.g. behaviour, attendance, pastoral care, curriculum quality or safeguarding).
* Monitor and support the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment to ensure high standards and positive student outcomes.
* Promote high expectations, inclusion, and positive behaviour across the academy.
* Support effective pastoral systems that promote student well-being, engagement, and attendance.
* Line manage designated staff and contribute to performance management, coaching, and professional development.
* Support the planning and delivery of CPD and INSET.
* Act as a senior leader in safeguarding, supporting the Designated Safeguarding Lead and maintaining a strong safeguarding culture.
* Work effectively with parents/carers, local authorities, and external agencies.
* Model professional standards, uphold academy policies, and promote equality, inclusion, and safeguarding in all aspects of the role.
Person Specificaton:
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent.
Significant experience teaching within a STEM subject, with strong subject knowledge in at least two STEM disciplines.
A minimum of two year’s experience and a proven track record of curriculum leadership or middle/senior leadership.
Strong understanding of curriculum design, assessment, and quality assurance.
Experience of Pearson or vocational qualifications (or willingness to train).
Ability to inspire, motivate, and develop staff.
Strong organisational, analytical, and communication skills.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Desirable
Leadership experience within alternative, vocational, or special education needs settings.
Experience of employer engagement or applied STEM learning.
Tech innovator
Evidence of leading curriculum improvement with measurable impact.
Please APPLY now if interested or contact Kirsty at Blackstone Education