Break-free Walsall college seeks £85,000 chief
A new permanent principal on a salary of up to £85,000 a year is being sought at a college in Walsall as it breaks free from council control.
The post is being advertised by Walsall Adult and Community College which will be run independently from the summer in a bid to secure its long-term future.
The college, which is known as WACC and caters for around 5,000 students a year, was rated as outstanding by Ofsted during its latest inspection.
Jev Bhalla was appointed as interim principal last year and the advert for the permanent position states it is worth up to £84,504 per annum.
The advert states: "An exceptional opportunity has arisen for the right person to become our principal, to lead an innovative and successful organisation in a dynamic and fast moving sector.
"You will be an inspirational and visionary principal with a sharp business mind to lead us towards independence and enable us to flourish and grow as we move towards and beyond independence.
"Walsall Adult and Community College is a special place – a college in its community for its community, a truly inclusive college that treats everyone as a special individual."
The move to break free from Walsall Council will enable the college to apply for further pots of funding amid Government cuts and will save costs for the cash-strapped council.
The college has two sites in Hawbush Road, Leamore and Whitehall Centre, Caldmore, and offers courses ranging from GCSEs, NVQs and apprenticeships.
The advert adds: "The college has been graded as outstanding by Ofsted for its teaching and learning, the first college to achieve this standard.
"It has been operating as part of Walsall Council since formation in 2009, but is now moving towards independence.
"We are now seeking an inspirational and visionary principal to build on our achievements – someone who is really passionate about teaching and learning, who can ensure the college continues to flourish and grow, and who can provide strong leadership through the corporate changes ahead. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead an innovative and successful organisation in a dynamic and fast moving sector and to make a real impact helping local people achieve their maximum potential."
The college offers GCSE's including English and maths, IT courses, NVQs and apprenticeships, along with tailored skills training. In December 2012 Ofsted inspectors visited to assess the quality of the learning and support and received praise.
The closing date to apply is Monday.
