New deputy principal champions career-focused curriculum at Newbury College

A new chapter has begun at Newbury College as Lee Jamieson takes up the post of Deputy Principal, bringing a fresh perspective while continuing the College’s strong tradition of preparing students for successful careers.

Lee’s appointment comes at a time of seismic changes in education and industry, that continue to increase the College’s importance in the local community.

“It is a privilege to be joining Newbury College at such a pivotal moment,” said Lee.

“This marks the start of an exciting new chapter, defined by a fresh leadership team and an ambitious vision for the future: to transform lives by delivering outstanding, career-focused education.”

This approach reflects the College’s well-established ethos of “Careers, not courses”, with Lee aiming to deepen collaboration with industry to ensure the curriculum meets current and future skills needs.

“Our goal is to equip every student and apprentice with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in their chosen careers. We want them to be more than job-ready, we want them to be career-driven,” he added.

Lee highlighted success stories such as Jonas Pearson, a top-achieving T Level Digital Support student who, following a successful T Level industry placement, secured a role as a Quality Assurance Engineer at Lifecycle Software, and Teagan Kell, this year’s Darren Huttel Award recipient, who earned praise for her achievements as an apprentice at Xtrac.

“These are the kinds of outcomes we want for all our students – meaningful, life-changing progress into the world of work,” he said.

To realise this vision, the College is investing in staff development and welcoming educators who are passionate about delivering high-quality teaching. A central part of this strategy is the introduction of “Super 7” – a new framework of pedagogical principles designed to inspire learners and drive effective practice across the College.

Lee is also keen to encourage learners to explore the full range of options at Newbury College and University Centre Newbury (UCN).

“Whether you are a school leaver seeking sixth-form qualifications in a more mature environment, an adult learner pursuing a degree closer to home, or someone wanting to gain a trade, we are here to launch your career,” he explained.

Looking ahead to September 2025, Lee sees the new academic year as a defining moment.

“It will be more than just a new term. It represents a renewed promise to our students and the wider community – a commitment to reshaping vocational education and establishing Newbury College as a centre of excellence.”

To discover more about the opportunities available, visit newbury-college.ac.uk

Super 7 supports student success

Rooted in pedagogy and metacognition, the ‘Super 7’ represents the seven core principles that form the foundation of Newbury College’s philosophy and approach to teaching, learning, and assessment.

Each of the seven principles focuses on a different aspect of learning:

- Bigger Picture helps students understand the structure and purpose of each lesson, ensuring they can see how their learning fits into a larger context.
- Knowledge Building focuses on deepening understanding by linking new concepts to prior knowledge. Through expert instruction, guided practice, and rehearsal, students build a strong foundation of knowledge, ensuring they can confidently apply their learning in different contexts.
- Language Building develops students’ ability to communicate effectively, particularly using subject-specific vocabulary.
- Q&A Techniques encourages active questioning and dialogue, helping students validate their understanding through discussion with teachers and peers.
- Recall and Retrieval reinforces learning by encouraging students to recall information at key intervals, rather than simply memorising facts for the short term.
- Assessment and Feedback plays a crucial role in helping students reflect on their progress and identify areas for improvement.
- Independent Learning empowers students to take ownership of their education by developing self-regulation and problem-solving skills.

By embedding these approaches into their daily studies, students gain the confidence and self-awareness needed to excel in their chosen careers.

Create opportunities to transform lives

Newbury College is proud to be the first-choice vocational education provider for West Berkshire and an exceptional place to work. The College takes pride in its commitment to its employees, and is seeking passionate, talented teaching and non-teaching staff to join the thriving team.

Why Newbury College?

- Excellent pension scheme.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Free onsite parking.
- Continuous professional development – including five days of training.
- Competitive salary reflective of experience and commitment to educational excellence.
- Flexible working options to ensure a healthy balance between professional and personal life.
- Access to a corporate discount scheme.

Join the team

Latest vacancies include:

- Curriculum Manager - Engineering and Motor Vehicle
- Curriculum Manager - Health, Social Care and Childhood
- Curriculum Manager - Sport and Uniformed Public Services

See newbury-college.ac.uk/vacancies