Group Head of School

• West Suffolk College
• Address: Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3RL
• Salary: £50,220 - £63,279 per annum (subject to qualifications and experience)
• Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
• Contract: Permanent, required as soon as possible
• Reference: 5666

West Suffolk College (as part of Eastern Education Group) is seeking an exceptional and ambitious leader to become our next Group Head of School – MEH and Building Services, to lead the future of construction and building services education.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of technical education and play a key role in our vision to establish our Built Environment provision as the Construction Technical Excellence College for the Eastern Region.

As part of this journey, you will provide inspirational leadership across Mechanical, Electrical, Heating (MEH) and Building Services programmes, driving innovation, quality and growth across further education, higher education, apprenticeships and industry training.

We are looking for a visionary leader who can unite education and industry, creating an outstanding learner experience while ensuring our curriculum meets the skills needs of employers today and in the future. 

About the role

Reporting to the Assistant Principal, you will lead the strategic and operational development of a growing curriculum area, ensuring it becomes the first-choice destination for learners, employers and industry partners.

You will:

• deliver a compelling vision for specialist MEH and Building Services education
• lead the development of the Construction Technical Excellence College for the Eastern Region
• drive outstanding teaching, learning, achievement and progression outcomes
• expand and develop innovative curriculum pathways from Level 1 through to higher technical and higher education
• strengthen employer partnerships and create industry-leading progression opportunities
• lead and develop high-performing curriculum teams across the group
• champion inclusivity, innovation and excellence in everything we do
• ensure programmes align with emerging technologies, sustainability priorities and future workforce demands. 

About you

You will be an experienced educational leader with a passion for technical and vocational education.

You will bring:

• significant curriculum leadership or management experience within further, higher or technical education
• strong knowledge of MEH, Building Services, Construction or related technical disciplines
• a track record of improving student outcomes and driving organisational performance
• experience developing employer partnerships and responding to industry skills needs
• the ability to inspire staff and students through ambitious and inclusive leadership
• a commitment to innovation, quality and continuous improvement
• teaching qualifications and degree-level qualifications, together with a commitment to ongoing professional development. 

Why join Eastern Education Group?

• This is more than a curriculum leadership role. It is an opportunity to create a lasting legacy by helping to build one of the UK's most ambitious centres for construction and building services education.
• At Eastern Education Group, we are committed to transforming lives through education, investing in exceptional facilities, and creating clear pathways into employment, apprenticeships, higher education and professional careers. 
• Our values of Resilience, Optimism, Curiosity, Confidence, Ownership, Self-Control, Ambition and Respect underpin everything we do.
• If you have the vision, expertise and ambition to establish a nationally recognised centre of excellence for MEH and Building Services education, we would love to hear from you.
• Join us and help shape the workforce that will build, maintain and deliver the sustainable communities of the future.
• This is an opportunity to join a hugely supportive organisation where we value, support and facilitate your professional development, as well as offering many other benefits including an attractive pension scheme, staff wellbeing initiatives and employee assistance.

For more information

Please contact our recruitment team by emailing: [email protected]

How to apply

To apply, please visit our website

If you have not heard from a member of the HR Team within 14 working days of the closing date, please presume your application has not been successful on this occasion. 

Closing date: 8 am, 11 November 2026.

Interview date: 12 November 2026 / 13 November 2026.

Promoted as PJ (Platinum Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

We reserve the right to appoint prior to listed closing date, early applications are encouraged. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, gender, gender reassignment, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age in accordance with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

The group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The group is committed to safeguarding children and safer recruitment practices and will undertake all the required pre-employment checks on the successful candidate including an enhanced DBS Disclosure.

All data will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. For more information about how we access and use your information please visit our website.