Plymouth CAST is a Multi-Academy Trust comprising thirty-four schools plus a nursery situated within the Catholic Diocese of Plymouth with whom there is a close working relationship. The Trust is seeking to appoint a dynamic, strategic and practising Catholic headteacher at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School.

This is an exciting time to join a forward thinking and committed team, to both embed as well as shapeworking practices for the future. You will be joining a dedicated and supportive team and will have theopportunity to work with your School Improvement Officer and the Director of Education to help shape the way in which you will lead the schools to positively impact the education and development of the pupils.

The core purpose of the headteacher is to provide professional leadership and management for the school. This will promote a secure foundation from which to achieve high standards in all areas of the school’s work. To gain this success you must establish high quality education by effectively managing teaching and learning, using personalised learning to realise the potential of all pupils. You will be committed to establishing a positive and proactive culture that promotes excellence, focusing on collaboration and driving internal excellence,underpinned by our Gospel Values.

As headteacher you will provide vision, leadership and direction. You will ensure the school is managed and organised to meet its aims and targets. With the support from your line manager, you will be responsible for evaluating the performance of the school to identify the priorities for continuous improvement; raising standards; ensuring equality of opportunity for all; developing policies and practices; ensuring that resources are efficientlyand effectively used to achieve aims and objectives and for the day- to-day management, organisation and administration of the school. 

Within our Multi Academy Trust we operate a core business function which works to support headteachers and school communities in all areas of financial, personnel, estates and facilities, procurement and operational management.

You will need to develop excellent relationships with colleagues, local authorities and relevant agencies for children. Through such relationships you will play a key role in contributing to the development of the education system as a whole and collaborate with others to raise standards locally.

Our Trust governance model is designed to ensure our Board of Directors has a direct line of communication to schools, Local CAST Boards and school leaders.

You will be a practising Roman Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church. You should be able to evidence collaborative and inspirational leadership that creates a culture of high expectations and aspirations that raises standards and ensures that all children reach their full potential. You will have the interpersonal skills to guide and inspire your pupils and staff.

As headteacher you will need diplomacy, openness, approachability, and a personable style of leadership, as well as the ability to converse confidently with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

If you feel that you have the necessary skills and competencies, and the passion to make a difference to our children and young people, we would love to hear from you!

Essential requirements are:

• Practising Catholic with a strong understanding of the structures and values of the Catholic Church
• Qualified to degree level relevant to the post and/or equivalent through professional
• PGCE (or equivalent) – Qualified to Teach in the UK
• Recent, substantive and successful headship experience
• The ability to manage change through bringing innovative ideas to traditional approaches to teaching and learning
• Understanding and/or experience of managing finances and ensuring financial sustainability
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – an attentive listener and team
• A wide knowledge of current and proposed education policy and the legal framework within which schools must operate, particularly in relation to safeguarding, when part of a Multi Academy Trust.

How to apply 

If you would like an informal discussion about this role with our Director of Education, please contact our HR Team by email to careers@plymouthcast.org.uk

Job Description and Information Pack

Our application form for this post can be accessed here.

Closing Date

 09:00 a.m on Monday, 11th March 2024