Author: Rishabh Malik

Vacancies

Principal

Post author By Rishabh Malik
Post date March 5, 2026

1. Advert

School of Coding & AI Location: West Midlands (with a national and international remit)

Salary: £100k+ , senior leadership package

Contract: Full‑time, permanent

Start date: By negotiation

The School of Coding & AI (SOC) is entering a bold new chapter—and we are seeking an exceptional leader to help shape it.

Founded by entrepreneur and educator Mandeep Athwal, the School of Coding has grown from a local coding school into one of the UK’s most dynamic digital education organisations. SOC works with schools, employers, and universities to widen access to technology related careers by opening doors for learners who have historically been excluded from Higher Education and the digital economy. The company has been delivering Higher Education provision in Birmingham to over 2000 students on degree programmes.

As we are preparing for Office for Students (OfS) registration and the launch of our new Higher Education portfolio, we are appointing our first Principal a transformative academic and organisational leader who will serve as the Accountable Officer.

This is a rare opportunity to join a mission and values‑driven organisation with a powerful purpose: to disrupt traditional Higher Education and democratise access to digital futures.

About the Role

The principal will lead the academic, regulatory, and quality assurance functions of the School of Coding & AI. You will shape our Higher Education strategy, build strong partnerships with universities, and ensure that our programmes meet the highest standards of academic integrity, student experience, and regulatory compliance.

You will be the senior academic leader of the organisation and a key strategic partner to the CEO, driving forward our 2026–2031 vision to become a nationally recognised leader in inclusive, technology‑enhanced Higher Education.

Who We’re Looking For

You will be an experienced senior leader from Higher Education who brings experience from having worked in a variety of different Higher Education organisations. You will have directly managed and led academic governance, quality assurance, learning, teaching and student support functions, operating within English regulatory frameworks; and have shown passion and direct experience of leading programmes relating to widening participation and social mobility

You will bring credibility, integrity, and the ability to inspire staff and students alike. You will thrive in a fast‑moving, entrepreneurial environment and share our belief that talent is equally distributed, even when opportunity is not.

If you want to build something new, meaningful, and sector‑changing, we would love to hear from you.

2. Job Description

Role Purpose

The principal is the senior academic leader of the School of Coding & AI and will serve as the Accountable Officer with the Office for Students (OfS) upon successful registration. The role provides strategic leadership for academic delivery, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and student experience across all Higher Education provision.

Working closely with the CEO and Board of Governors, the postholder will drive the organisation’s mission to democratise digitally focused Higher Education, remove structural barriers to participation, and deliver high‑quality, inclusive learning experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Provide strategic leadership for the development and delivery of the School of Coding & AI’s Higher Education portfolio and related infrastrcuture.
Lead the implementation of the 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with organisational values and mission.
Act as a key advisor and strategic partner to the CEO, contributing to organisational planning, growth, and innovation.

Accountable Officer Responsibilities (OfS)

Serve as the designated Accountable Officer for the Office for Students once registration is secured.
Ensure compliance with all OfS conditions of registration, including quality, standards, governance, data, financial sustainability, and student protection.
Provide accurate, timely, and transparent reporting to the OfS and other regulatory bodies.
Uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and public interest governance.

Academic Leadership and Quality Assurance

Lead academic governance structures, including Academic Board and associated committees.
Ensure compliance with the quality assurance frameworks of awarding university partners and develop SoC’s own academic policies and practices.
Oversee programme design, approval, monitoring, and review processes.
Ensure robust arrangements for academic standards, assessment integrity, external examining, and student outcomes.

Student Experience and Inclusion

Champion an inclusive, supportive, and empowering student experience aligned with SOC’s values.
Oversee student voice mechanisms, co‑creation initiatives, and continuous enhancement of learning and teaching.
Ensure that the student experience, including access to partner‑university services, is monitored, evaluated, and improved.

Partnerships and External Relations

Build and maintain strong relationships with awarding universities, employers, regulators, and sector bodies.
Represent the School of Coding & AI at senior external meetings, networks, and events.
Support the development of new partnerships that expand opportunities and enhance student outcomes.

Organisational Leadership

Deputise for the CEO as required.
Provide leadership to academic and professional services teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
Model SOC’s values—Inspire, Encourage, Commit, Stay Positive, Believe—in all aspects of leadership.

3. Person Specification

Essential

Senior leadership experience in Higher Education (e.g. Pro Vice‑Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor or Principal), with experience of working in a variety of different tyoes of Higher Education organisation.
Deep understanding of UK HE regulation, including OfS conditions of registration.
Experience of leading academic governance, quality assurance, learning, teaching and student-facing services and partnership management.
Commitment to widening participation, social mobility, and inclusive education.
Strong strategic thinking, communication, and organisational leadership skills.
High levels of integrity, accountability, and professional credibility.

Desirable

Experience working with alternative providers or in partnership‑based HE delivery.
Experience in digital education, technology‑enhanced learning, or STEM‑related disciplines.
Understanding the needs of underrepresented learners and communities.

Vacancies

Independent Governor

Post author By Rishabh Malik
Post date February 27, 2026

Join our Governing Body and Shape the Future of Tech Education

The School of Coding & AI (SOC) is entering a bold new chapter and we are seeking exceptional governors to help shape it.

This year, we will be delivering Higher Education provision in Birmingham to over 2000 students on degree programmes with university partners and we are actively pursuing Office for Students (OfS) registration. Our governing body seeks exceptional individuals to provide strategic oversight, independent challenge, and assurance during this pivotal registration and growth phase.

Vacancies (3-year terms, unremunerated)

Appointments to the Governing Body are based on the following criteria:

1. Personal Attributes: Demonstrated commitment to the Nolan Principles of Public Life and values consistent with those of the School of Coding and AI.

2. Track Record: Full compliance with Fit and Proper Person requirements as part of onboarding and annual review processes.

3. Professional Skills: Alignment with the competencies set out in the Skills Matrix. We currently seeking new governors with one or more of the following attributes or experience:

4. Board Leadership: managing executive performance, and fostering constructive challenge

5. Financial Director / CFO: Senior finance leader ideally with familiarity with OfS financial sustainability metrics.

6. External Audit / Risk Specialist: Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA) or audit committee chair with external audit practice or internal audit oversight in regulated sectors; ideally with experience of OfS-aligned risk registers and regulatory interventions.

7. Legally Qualified: ideally with expertise in Higher Education, including subcontracting/franchising arrangements.

8. Facilities & Estates: with working experience of health and safety and ideally experience of managing learning spaces.

Equality & Diversity

We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups in Higher Education governance.

Role & Time Commitment

4-6 meetings/year (hybrid, 2-3 hours each) including sub-committee work (Audit and Risk, Remuneration, Nominations and Governance, or Academic Board).
Preparation time: 2 hours per meeting.
Provide independent scrutiny of executive decisions, support readiness for OfS registration conditions, student outcomes, and financial sustainability.
Champion student protection, quality enhancement, and mission-led growth in digital and professional skills.

To Apply

Submit a CV (max 3 pages) and a cover letter addressing your fit for the role and skills area by 28 February 2026 to [email protected]. Interviews: March 2026.

News

AI and coding firm’s ‘pride’ at business award

Post author By Rishabh Malik
Post date February 20, 2026

The Coding and AI teaching firm, with Birmingham and Wolverhampton bases, was named business of the year by a Birmingham group

The founder of a company which teaches computer coding and AI has described getting a business of the year award as a milestone for the firm,

The School of Coding & AI (SOC) was given the accolade at Birmingham’s Signature Awards, which celebrates businesses.

The company teaches people on their own, in businesses or in public sector organisations and, in the last year, opened a £2.5m tech lab in Birmingham, redeveloped its Wolverhampton headquarters and launched an international campus in Dubai.

The firm’s chief executive and founder, Manny Athwal, said it was a “great honour” to be recognised in the Midlands.

“We started with a mission to reshape digital education and create genuine pathways into tech careers, and this recognition shows the real-world impact we are making,” he said.

“We are growing as a global business but we are immensely proud of our Midlands roots, so receiving this award in Birmingham is a great honour.”

The school opened a city centre campus in early 2025 in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, offering computer science, business management, and health and social care courses with AI “across the curriculum”.

News

Celebrating Growth, Impact, and the Power of Apprenticeships at School of Coding & AI

Post author By Rishabh Malik
Post date February 16, 2026

National Apprenticeship Week (February 9-15)

National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to consider the true effects apprenticeships have on communities, organisations and the workforce of the future, in addition to individual careers. In the UK, celebrated from February 9 to 15 each year, this week long celebration brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Our apprentices at School of Coding & AI are not spectators on the sidelines, they are innovators, future leaders and active participants who influence the work we do daily.

This year, we are honoured to celebrate the incredible journeys of Gurjot Kaur and Natasha Parbhakar, whose commitment and development perfectly capture the essence of apprenticeships. Their accomplishments were acknowledged at the 2025 Black Country Apprenticeship Awards, where Gurjot was nominated for Degree Apprentice of the Year, and Natasha was named Technology and Digital Apprentice of the Year. These honours are a reflection of both individual excellence and the culture of opportunity, trust and ongoing learning that SOC works to foster.

Our apprentices contribute to IT operations, compliance, SEND provision, work experience programs, international initiatives and curriculum development and student engagement, among other areas of the organisation. They bring new perspectives, technical expertise and a strong sense of responsibility to everything they do, which includes work in computing, cybersecurity, digital development and educational innovation. They gain the self-assurance and skills necessary to succeed in professional settings through practical projects and meaningful engagement.

At the School of Coding & AI, Natasha’s journey exemplifies the benefits of apprenticeship led growth. She says:

“My apprenticeship at School of Coding & AI has been a genuinely transformative experience. From early on, I was trusted with real responsibility, not just learning technical skills in software engineering but actively applying them across live projects, programme delivery, and digital development. Being involved in nationally funded initiatives, European projects, and internal platforms has allowed me to see how technology, education, and social impact come together in practice.”

She highlights how hands-on exposure has bridged the gap between theory and practice, allowing learning to translate into real-world outcomes. Beyond technical skills, Natasha’s experience also reflects the wider professional development apprentices gain at SOC. According to her:

“I have strengthened my communication, leadership and problem solving skills by working closely with colleagues across different teams… The experience has shown me that an apprenticeship is not just a route into a career, but a platform for growth, ownership and long-term progression.”

This sense of ownership, inclusion and purpose is central to how we nurture talent. Our apprentices are valued members of the team, empowered to contribute at both strategic and operational levels, while being supported by mentors who guide, challenge, and inspire them.

Gurjot’s words also showcase the support and trust at the School of Coding & AI that has helped her soar throughout the journey.

“My apprenticeship at School of Coding & AI has been a defining part of my professional and personal development. As a Software Engineering Degree Apprentice, I’ve been allowed to work on real, high impact projects that go far beyond traditional learning. From contributing to digital product development and AI driven learning platforms to supporting funded programmes and strategic bids, my role has allowed me to apply academic learning directly to meaningful, real world outcomes. Being trusted with responsibility from an early stage has significantly accelerated my confidence, technical capability and understanding of how technology can be used to create social impact.”

She applauds the balance between the learning and hands-on delivery that has helped her gain confidence. She says:

“What has truly set my apprenticeship apart is the supportive and ambitious culture at School of Coding. I’ve been encouraged to take ownership of projects, collaborate across teams and continuously push myself to grow both technically and professionally. The balance between structured learning and hands-on delivery has helped me develop strong problem-solving skills, adaptability and a clear sense of career direction. National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to reflect on how apprenticeships like mine provide not just a qualification, but a genuine pathway to leadership, innovation and long-term growth within the tech sector.”

A mentor’s role is what moulds the apprentices into the successful professionals they become. Suki, Director of Academics at School of Coding & AI, has been the guiding torch through Gurjot and Natasha’s journey so far, and this is what she had to say about her experience with them:

“Over the course of their apprenticeship, Gurjot has shown impressive growth both professionally and personally. From the outset, Gurjot demonstrated a strong willingness to learn, take feedback on board and apply it with confidence. They have developed key workplace skills such as time management, communication and problem-solving, while also growing in self belief and independence. It has been rewarding to see Gurjot progress from needing guidance to taking initiative and contributing thoughtfully to the team.

Similarly, Natasha has made remarkable strides throughout her apprenticeship journey. She has consistently shown commitment, resilience and a positive attitude towards learning, even when faced with new challenges. Natasha has grown significantly in her technical abilities and professionalism, becoming more confident in her role and interactions with colleagues. Mentoring Natasha has been a pleasure and her development is a strong example of how apprenticeships can nurture talent, unlock potential and create clear pathways for future success.”

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we are reminded that apprenticeships are not just about skills; they are about confidence, character and creating pathways for long-term success. Natasha and Gurjot represent the very best of what apprenticeships can achieve and we are incredibly proud to have them at School of Coding & AI.

The future is bright, and our apprentices are leading the way.