Principal 

Leeds Sixth Form College, Pudsey Sixth Form College and 14+ Academies Provision

Shape futures. Inspire excellence. Lead transformation.

We are seeking an exceptional and ambitious leader to join Luminate Education Group as Principal, with strategic responsibility for Leeds Sixth Form College, Pudsey Sixth Form College and the Group's 14+ provision based at Park Lane, Leeds.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a diverse and growing portfolio of post-14 education, shaping outstanding learner experiences and creating clear pathways to higher education, employment and lifelong success for thousands of young people across the region.

As Principal, you will provide inspirational leadership, driving a culture of high expectations, inclusion and excellence. You will ensure our curriculum is ambitious, future-focused and destination-led, equipping learners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Working closely with the Executive Principal of Leeds City College and wider group leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in responding to local and regional skills priorities, strengthening educational outcomes and delivering our strategic vision.

You will also be a passionate advocate for partnership working, building strong relationships with schools, universities, employers and community stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities and positive progression routes for learners.

This role would suit a forward-thinking educational leader with a proven track record of delivering outstanding outcomes, leading change and inspiring teams to achieve their full potential.

If you are passionate about empowering young people, developing exceptional learning environments and leading with purpose, we would love to hear from you.

Join us and help shape the future for the next generation of learners.

Applicants are welcome to arrange a campus tour before applying and for an informal discussion about the role please contact Diana.Bird@luminate.ac.uk

Interviews will take place on 10th and 11th December 2027.

The group offers a range of excellent benefits, including:

Annual leave: 
Curriculum and Management: 44 days plus bank holidays
Curriculum support and business support: 39 days plus bank holidays

Pension schemes with generous employer contributions:
Teachers’ Pension Scheme
Local Government Pension Scheme
People’s Pension Scheme

CPD opportunities:
Annual staff conference plus 2 additional staff development days.
Qualifications including PGCE, Apprenticeships, Leadership and Management courses.

Employee wellbeing initiatives: Family Friendly Policies, discounted onsite spa (Printworks) and gym (Park Lane).

Travel and commuting: Discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and Cycle to work schemes.

Flexible and hybrid working opportunities: Please speak to the recruiting manager regarding flexible opportunities as these differ between roles.

• Lead the provision and learner experience across Leeds Sixth Form College and Pudsey Sixth Form College, including the 14–16 education offer, establishing coherent and ambitious curricula appropriate to each cohort, with clear progression routes and high-quality delivery.
• Provide dynamic and visible leadership to staff, developing highly effective teams, coaching and managing leaders, and establishing clear accountability for performance and improvement.
• Lead effective business planning, resource allocation and budget management, securing financial sustainability, efficient deployment of resources and value for money while protecting quality and learner experience.
• Develop and sustain a culture of excellence, high aspirations and belonging in which all learners are supported and challenged to achieve their full potential.
• Ensure the effective operation of both campuses maintaining high standards of communication, administration, learner support and the physical learning environment.

• Successful senior leadership experience of sixth-form education, with substantial responsibility for curriculum quality, performance, learner outcomes and improvement, and evidence of securing positive and sustained impact.
• Strong knowledge of post16 and 14–16 policy, funding, curriculum priorities and the challenges and opportunities facing colleges.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and sustaining high-quality teaching, learning and assessment across curriculum areas, developing staff expertise and a culture of reflective, innovative and evidence-informed practice, with measurable impact on learners' experiences and outcomes. .
• Successful management of resources, budgets and people, including business planning and financial accountability.
• Track record of building and sustaining effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of using learner performance, experience and destination data to identify variation and deliver improvement.

Leeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country and is one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships regionally. 

We provide a vibrant and diverse learning environment, delivering excellent and innovative education which is supportive, inspiring and life changing. Leeds City College’s values put students first and are at the heart of everything the college does.

We are committed to lifelong learning and investing in our staff. You’ll have access to a broad variety of training and professional development designed to help you continually develop and grow. 

Join us on the journey to being the best that we can collectively be for our students, apprentices, staff and our stakeholders.

SAFEGUARDING

At Luminate Education Group we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our students. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment checks which include an enhanced DBS check, online checks and must have two satisfactory references. Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in recruitment is key to our Group’s values. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms, where every candidate is treated with fairness, respect, and equity. 

Our recruitment processes are designed to ensure equal opportunities, remove bias, and promote a diverse talent pool. To find out more about what our commitment to EDI means to us please Click here to learn more about our EDI objectives.

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

We do not accept unsolicited CV’s and applications from agencies and will not be liable for any fee in connection with a candidate that has been submitted speculatively through any agency that has not been expressly instructed for a particular vacancy as part of our Preferred Supplier List.