Job Description

Associate Headteacher (secondary)

Job Purpose

The Associate Headteacher will work in close collaboration partnership with the Trust Education Team to provide strong professional leadership and effective day-to-day management within their allocated school. This role is pivotal in securing a stable and ambitious foundation that enables consistently high standards across all aspects of school life. The successful candidate will lead the delivery of high-quality education through the effective management of teaching and learning using personalised learning to enable every pupil to achieve their full potential. The Associate Headteacher will establish a culture that promotes excellence, equality and high expectations for all pupils. In addition, the role includes responsibility for ensuring that Religious Education is delivered in accordance with the teachings, doctrines, discipline and both general and specific norms of the Catholic Church.

The Associate Headteacher, working in partnership with Romero Catholic Academy Trust and deployed across our high schools, will draw inspiration from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ to create and promote a shared vision and strategic plan which will inspire and motivate pupils, staff and the wider community. The vision should embrace Gospel values, core educational values and a strong moral purpose, while respecting and valuing the beliefs and contributions of all stakeholders.

As the lead professional within the school, the Associate Headteacher is accountable to Romero Catholic Academy Trust and is responsible for providing clear vision, leadership and direction for the school. The role ensures the effective management and organisation of the school in order to meet agreed aims and targets. Working collaboratively with others, the Associate Headteacher will evaluate school performance, identify priorities for continuous improvement and raising standards, promote equality of opportunity for all, develop and implement effective policies and practices, and ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively. The role also encompasses responsibility for the day-to-day management, organisation and administration of the school.

The Associate Headteacher will actively engage with the wider community by developing strong and effective partnerships with schools, parishes, the diocese, children's services and agencies, higher education institutions and employers. Through these partnerships, the Associate Headteacher will contribute to the wider development of the education system and work collaboratively with others to raise standards and improve outcomes locally.

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

Culture and Ethos

Acknowledge and respect the Bishop's role in overseeing education within the diocese. Collaborate with the school and parish communities to foster and promote a shared educational vision, rooted in the Catholic mission. This vision should reflect the Romero Catholic Academy Trust and the school's mission, values, and the diverse experiences of the community it serves. Uphold and communicate clear Catholic principles with a focus on delivering a world-class education for all pupils. Ensure that the school's ethos reflects its Catholic foundation while fostering moral purpose in every aspect of school life. Demonstrate optimistic, respectful, and professional behaviour with pupils, staff, parents, governors, and members of the local church and community. Create a positive, inclusive environment for all stakeholders. Stay informed on the latest educational trends and systems both locally and globally. Pursue continuous professional development that aligns with the needs of a Catholic school, ensuring that leadership practices reflect the school's ethos and values. Navigate political and financial landscapes with astuteness and integrity, ensuring that school policies align with its Catholic values. Translate local, national, and diocesan and Trust educational policies into actionable strategies. Lead by example, inspiring others through your integrity, creativity, and resilience. Use your expertise and collaborate with staff to create an environment of excellence and continuous improvement. Clearly communicate the Trust and school's vision and drive strategic initiatives that empower both pupils and staff to reach their full potential. Cultivate a culture of professionalism, high expectations, and collective success across the school.

Curriculum and teaching

Champion high standards of achievement, attendance, and equality for all pupils, ensuring strong accountability in staff for the impact on pupils' outcomes. Secure high-quality Personal, Social, Health Education, Citizenship, and spiritual, moral, social and cultural provision in line with the mission of the Catholic Church, purpose and aims of the school. Secure consistently excellent teaching through an analytical understanding of how pupils learn, effective classroom practice and high-quality curriculum design. Ensure that curriculum provision is engaging, inclusive, and supports pupils' well-being fully reflecting the school's Catholic foundation. Develop and sustain a culture of professional openness and collaboration through "open classrooms" as a basis for sharing best practice within and between schools. Use educational research and robust data analysis to drive continuous improvement in teaching and learning. Create and nurture an ethos based on Catholic values, where all staff feel motivated, supported, and empowered to develop their subject expertise and professional skills to support each other. Identify and develop emerging talent by coaching and mentoring current and aspiring leaders in a culture where excellence is the standard. Ensuring a clear succession plan holding all staff accountable for the highest standards of professional conduct and practice.

Organisational Effectiveness

Ensure that the school's systems, structures and processes are efficient and fit-for-purpose, upholding the principles of transparency, integrity and probity within the Catholic context of the school. Ensure arrangements for the daily Act of Collective Worship and the spiritual life of the school. Ensure full implementation of diocesan policies for Religious Education. Create and maintain a safe, calm and well-ordered environment for pupils and staff, with safeguarding as a central priority and a strong emphasis on fostering exemplary behaviour both within school and in the wider community. Establish clear, rigorous and equitable performance management systems for all staff, addressing underperformance promptly, supporting professional development and recognising and valuing high-quality practice. Work constructively with strong governance, actively supporting the Trust Board and Romero Catholic Academy Trust to understand and fulfil their strategic role, including setting direction and holding the Headteacher to account for educational, staffing and financial outcomes Lead strategic, curriculum-driven financial planning to ensure the effective and equitable deployment of resources, securing high-quality provision, long-term sustainability and the distinctive Catholic character of the school. Promote and embed distributed leadership across the organisation, developing cohesive teams with clear roles and responsibilities who are accountable for their decisions and contribute collectively to school improvement.

Other Responsibilities

Create an outward-facing school that actively collaborates with other schools, organisations and the local community, promoting best practice through constructive challenge and securing excellent outcomes for all pupils. Embed a school culture and curriculum based on Gospel values, the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church, reflecting and celebrating the diversity of the school community. Build and sustain strong, effective partnerships with fellow professionals, colleagues across public services, parents/carers and the parish community to enhance pupils' academic achievement and personal development. Thoughtfully challenge established educational practices where necessary, using robust, evidence-based research to support innovation and drive continuous school self-improvement. Contribute to the current and future strength of the teaching profession through high-quality training, mentoring and sustained professional development for all staff. Within the school's Catholic ethos, demonstrate entrepreneurial and innovative leadership in school improvement, governance and accountability, recognising the value of both internal reflection and external scrutiny. Inspire and influence others within and beyond the school community to recognise the transformative power of education in young people's lives, promoting its importance particularly within a Catholic educational context.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 100,540.00-119,350.00 per year

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Company pension Free parking Gym membership Health & wellbeing programme Referral programme Sick pay
Work Location: In person