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- Principal
Principal
Salary: Competitive
Organisation: UCS College Group
Location: Taunton, Somerset
Closing Date: 08 Mar 2026
This is an exciting opportunity to join University Centre Somerset College Group (UCS College Group), a group that was created from the merger of Bridgwater and Taunton College (BTC) and Strode College. The College Group has a turnover of approximately £85 million and an ambition of being one of the most exceptional performing College Groups in the country.
Taunton College is part of UCS College Group and delivers a wide range of curriculum provision including 16-18, adult education, apprenticeships and Higher Education spanning from Entry-Level through to Level 6. It also supports a school link programme initiative with local schools in the region. The Taunton College has seen significant growth and improvement in outcomes over the last three years. The College will specialise in technical and professional qualifications and plays a critical role in the community in enabling students to progress into these programmes. Within the group, Taunton College has the largest number of T-Level students - specialising in Health, Early Years, Design, Surveying & planning, Media and Accountancy.
Taunton College is also the central hub for University Centre Somerset and the post holder will play a key role alongside the Group Executive Principal and the Dean for Higher Education in supporting student growth and supporting UCS to achieve Degree Awarding Powers. Taunton College is the home of the award-winning Queen Anniversary Prize Nursing provision, whereby the College became the first FE provider to be approved by the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) to deliver nursing degrees.
We are a values-based College Group, and on top of delivering the key purposes and responsibilities outlined below, the Principal must align with our values and vision of “Transforming lives & communities through learning and partnerships”. This should underpin the decisions the postholder takes in always striving to deliver the very best for our students and wider community.
The role of College Principal in the UCS College Group is both highly demanding and immensely rewarding. It requires a dynamic leader with a strong vision, unwavering ambition, and the ability to influence and inspire others. This position offers the unique opportunity to shape the future of the UCS College Group while making a lasting impact on students, staff, and the community. We are seeking an individual with the drive and determination to lead with excellence and foster an environment of growth, innovation, and success.
Key Dates to Note:
Closing date for applications is: Sunday 8 March 2026
Final interviews to be held at the college: Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March 2026
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Harpreet at harpreet.jossan@aoc.co.uk