The College Merthyr Tydfil / Y Coleg Merthyr Tudful
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ADVANCED LEVEL PROGRAMMES
£49,300 - £53,132 per annum
REFERENCE NO: FE058
Closing Date: Monday 21st May 2012
The College Merthyr Tydfil is seeking to appoint an Assistant Principal Advanced Level Programmes
to manage all Advanced Level programmes as part of its development into a tertiary college
(effective from 2013).
The post will commence in 2012 to enable the successful candidate to lead the development and
organisation of the Advanced Level curriculum in preparation for the opening of the new college in
September 2013.
Candidates should have recent and successful experience of a senior or middle management role, in
a school or college, related to ‘A’ Level teaching and provision.
In addition to managing the college’s Advanced Level programmes, the person appointed will also be
responsible for managing one of the college’s education faculties. (please refer to the organisational
structure on page three).
THE COLLEGE MERTHYR TYDFIL / Y COLEG MERTHYR TUDFUL
The brand new £33m College Merthyr Tydfil will be a state of the art integrated tertiary learning
facility in the heart of Merthyr Tydfil. The building will embrace 21st century technology and
practices, providing first class teaching and learning opportunities to inspire learners across Merthyr
Tydfil and its surrounding communities to engage in further and higher education, update and
improve their qualification levels, broaden their horizons and maximise their potential.
As part of the larger University of Glamorgan group, the College Merthyr Tydfil will have a unique
learning environment for all. What this means for you as a member of staff is that, not only will you
benefit from the first class teaching resources, facilities and supportive environment at the college,
but you will be able to draw on skills, resources and staff development opportunities at the
University of Glamorgan, enabling you access to continuous professional development.
COLLEGE STRUCTURE
The College Merthyr Tydfil will be managed by the Principal and Chief Executive. The Principal and
Chief Executive will lead a College Executive which comprises the Deputy Principal and Deputy Chief
Executive, Assistant Principal Resources and five Assistant Principals. Each of the five Assistant
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Principals will be responsible for managing a cross college area as shown below. They will also lead
one of the five faculties which contain foundation degrees, A levels and vocational courses.
The College Executive will meet weekly to advise the Principal on key strategic matters within the
college.
The College Merthyr Tydfil Management
Organisation Structure
Principal and
Chief Executive
Deputy Principal
and Deputy Chief
Executive
Cross college responsibilities
Assistant Principal
Advanced Level
Programmes
Assistant Principal
Wellbeing and
Enrichment
Assistant Principal
Higher Education
Assistant Principal
Quality and
Deprivation
Assistant Principal
Skills and
Employability
Assistant Principal
Resources
Plus one of the following faculties to be agreed on appointment
Humanities and
Creative
Industries
Science,
Technology and
Computing
Construction and
Independent
Learning
Business, Sport
and Public
Services
Access, Care and
Hair and Beauty
KEY FACILITIES
The College Merthyr Tydfil conforms to BB93, DDA and BREEAM legislation and standards. The
building will include:
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Academic Spaces
30 classrooms
18 IT rooms
8 Creative Arts Practical Rooms
Ceramics Room
Photo Studio and Dark Room
5 Science labs
3 Hair Salons
2 Beauty Salons
600m2 sports hall
6 specialist ILS teaching rooms
Sports Science Lab
Electronics lab
Functional and Social Spaces
Learning Zone
IT/Learning Zones throughout building
Social Space throughout building
Large Refectory
Cafe
One Stop Student Services Area
Prayer Room
Archiving Room
Conference Room
IT support counter
Exhibition areas
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In addition, Performing Arts, Music and Drama students will have the unique opportunity to study in
specialised performing arts facilities to be housed in the renovated ‘Old Town Hall’ Performing Arts
Centre. This facility will include:
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Recording Studio
2 Media Base Rooms
2 MAC Rooms with editing suites
3 Music Practice Rooms
1 Music PC Room
Dance Workshop/Studio
1 Theatre
Courtyard/Theatre Space
Dance Space
2 Classrooms
CURRICULUM
The college has developed a detailed curriculum plan (please refer to Annex One) to take forward
from September 2013 onwards.
As part of this plan, the college proposes to offer a wide range of qualifications covering a broad
spectrum of subjects from entry/level 1 through to Level 4 and 5 higher education courses.
At Level 3, the college is proposing to offer over 30 ‘A’ levels. Further details of these ‘A’ levels are
outlined in the attached curriculum plan.
KEY DEVELOPMENT TIMESCALES
The College Merthyr Tydfil will officially open in September 2013 for year 12 sixth form and college
students. Year 13 students will complete their study at their sixth form school during 2013/14 to
minimise disruption for them.
Key timescales for development include:

January 2012 – Commencement of building construction
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June 2013 –Building construction completed
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July 2013 – August 2013 – Building fit-out and occupation

September 2013 – College opens for Year 12 sixth form, further education and higher
education students
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September 2014 – First intake of year 13 pupils
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JOB DESCRIPTION
1
Job Title:
Assistant Principal
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Salary:
Further Education Wales Management Spine point 9 – 12
(£49300 - £53132)
3
Conditions:
The College Merthyr Management Contract of Employment
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Responsible to:
Deputy Principal
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Responsible for:
Leadership of
A
the college’s advanced programmes and
B
one of the college’s faculties
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Duties:
A
All assistant principals will be expected to:
1. Be an active member of the College Executive and work with the Principal, Deputy Principal
and other assistant principals to deliver the college’s strategic objectives
2. Ensure that the college’s policies and regulations are adhered to at all times
3. Establish and maintain a culture which demands high standards and in which staff feel
empowered and recognised
4. Ensure that the interests of learners are paramount
5. Be responsible for performance management of their staff including their training, coaching
and development
6. Represent the college externally
7. Contribute to the sustainability of the college
B
Leadership of the college’s advanced programmes
1. Develop and maintain the college’s advanced programmes as a centre of excellence
2. Ensure that learners receive the very best experience on advanced programmes, including a
programme for the able and talented.
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3. Ensure that the college has strong and effective partnerships with secondary schools
4. Ensure that learners receive the best advice and guidance on their choice of advanced
programmes and subsequent study or employment options
5. Oversee applications to UCAS
6. Develop and maintain a high quality programme of enrichment for advanced programme
learners
7. Work closely with partner schools in identifying the appropriate AS and A2 curriculum to be
delivered
8. Lead the further development of WBQ qualifications across the college.
C
Leadership of one the college’s faculties –
(nb the faculty which the Assistant Principal will manage will be decided upon after
discussion with the other assistant principals and taking account of all of the assistant
principals’ experience and expertise)
1. Develop and deliver the curriculum for the faculty in such a way as to provide a stimulating
experience for all learners and develop learners’ potential to the full
2. Deliver the financial targets for the faculty
3. Deliver the learner recruitment and quality targets for the faculty
4. Lead the self assessments for the faculty
5. Deliver the student grievance and disciplinary procedures for the faculty
6. Contribute to external events such as parents’ evenings in partner schools and liaison with
employers and awarding bodies
7. Undertake a small teaching role.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
CRITERIA
QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTAINMENTS
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Certificate in Education, PGCE or equivalent
√
Application
Form
Degree
√
Application
Form
Postgraduate qualification or equivalent
TRAINING, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
√
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
ASSESSED BY
Application
Form
ASSESSED BY
Recent and successful teaching experience of √
an academic subject at A level
Record of successful curriculum development
√
Application
Form/Interview
Application
Form/Interview
Record of successful team leadership
Application
Form/Interview
Application
Form/Interview
Application
Form/Interview
√
Record of successful involvement with the
Welsh Baccalaureate
√
Experience of managing budgets
√
Experience of developing and/or delivering an √
environment
which
emphasises
the
achievement of excellence
Knowledge of FE funding streams
Personal qualities
Ability to lead a team and create change at a √
senior level
Excellent communication/interpersonal skills
√
Ability to lead and motivate staff at all levels √
across the College
Represent the college externally
√
Application
Form/Interview
√
Application
Form/Interview
Application
Form/Interview
Application
Form/Interview
Application
Form/Interview
Application
Form/Interview
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CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The successful applicant will be appointed to the post of Assistant Principal Advanced Level
Programmes in the service of The College Merthyr Tydfil, University of Glamorgan.
CONTINUOUS SERVICE
Your continuous service will commence on your first day of employment at the College Merthyr
Tydfil College, University of Glamorgan. The University does not recognise continuous service with
other employers in any respect except in accordance with the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of
Employment in Local Government, etc) (Modification) Order as amended.
STAFF APPRAISAL AND DEVELOPMENT
You will be required to participate in the Staff Appraisal and Development Scheme for Academic
Staff.
This Scheme is the means by which your individual work objectives will be set, annually. It is also the
means by which your learning, training & development needs will be identified to support you,
throughout your employment with the college, in the achievement of your objectives. The college
expects a commitment to such personal development from all its staff, and it is intended that this
should be planned, and effectively evaluated to assess its impact upon performance.
GRADE/SALARY
The post is graded at point 9 – 12 of the Further Education Colleges Wales Management Spine
(£49300-£53132). There is automatic progression through the incremental points until point 12 in
reached. These increments are awarded annually.
TENURE - This post is permanent
PROBATION
The first 12 months of your employment will be a probationary period, during which your suitability
for the position to which you have been appointed will be assessed. The college reserves the right
to extend your probationary period if, in its opinion, circumstances so require.
MEDICAL CLEARANCE
All posts in The College Merthyr Tydfil, University of Glamorgan are offered subject to medical
clearance. If appointed, you will be required to complete a questionnaire (confidential to the
University of Glamorgan’s medical adviser) detailing your medical history and you may be requested
to attend a medical examination. Please note that it is not possible to join The College Merthyr
Tydfil, University of Glamorgan staff until such a time as you receive formal notice of medical
clearance. We would therefore advise against giving notice until medical clearance is granted
HOURS OF WORK/WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
The hours of work are not specified but the nature of the post is such that you are expected to work
the hours that are reasonably necessary in order to fulfil your duties and responsibilities. The
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working year is structured in the same way as schools, with three key academic terms – Autumn,
Spring and Summer and half term holidays in October, February and May.
ANNUAL LEAVE
You are entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement which aims to encourage a healthy work/life
balance. You will receive 35 days’ holiday in each holiday year. In addition to this leave entitlement
you will receive all public bank holidays and further leave days over the Easter and Christmas period.
PENSION ARRANGEMENT
You will have the option of joining the Local Government Pension Scheme or remaining in the
Teachers’ Pension Scheme and contributions will be made at rates of between 5.5% and 7.5% of
gross salary dependent into which pay band your salary falls; or you can take out a personal pension
with an approved provider.
TERMINATION
The appointments are terminable upon one months notice from the individual or the college may
give you one months notice between one month and four years service; thereafter, one week's
notice for each year of service, up to a maximum of twelve weeks' notice
CRB CHECKS AND REFERENCES
Any offer of employment made will be subject to receipt of satisfactory references and medical
clearance being granted. Should you require a Work Permit, or should the post be of such a nature
that Criminal Records Bureau clearance is required, confirmation of your employment will likewise
be subject to satisfactory completion of those processes.
HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
All staff are responsible for the health and safety of both themselves, and others upon whom they
may have an effect. All staff must co-operate with the college in achieving its health and safety
objectives.
APPOINTMENTS PROCEDURE
Application form
Candidates are requested to complete the attached application form (Annex Two). Electronic
copies of the application form can be obtained from:
Referees
Candidates should supply details of three referees, one being their Head of Department or Line
Manager. References will be taken up after the interview.
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Submitting your application form
Applications should be submitted to: t.woods@merthyr.ac.uk OR
Tracy Woods
PA to Principal & Deputy Principal
Merthyr Tydfil College
Ynysfach
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 1AR
Tel: 01685 726004
Progress of Application
If you are successful in being selected for interview for the above post, you will be notified within six
weeks of the closing date. If you have not heard by this date, then you should assume that your
application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in The College
Merthyr Tydfil, University of Glamorgan, and to wish you luck in your application.
Closing Date: 21st May 2012
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ANNEXES
ANNEX ONE – CURRICULUM PLAN
ANNEX TWO – JOB APPLICATION FORM
ANNEX THREE – THE COLLEGE MERTHYR TYDFIL CORE BRIEF
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