Headteacher

As a leader of a Catholic school community, a Headteacher: 

• Serves in the best interests of the school’s pupils 

• Conducts themselves in a manner compatible with their position in the Church and wider community by behaving ethically, fulfilling their professional responsibilities and modelling the values and virtues of a good citizen of the kingdom of God 

• Uphold their duty to give account and accept responsibility 

• Know, understand and act within the statutory frameworks which set out their professional duties and responsibilities 

• Take responsibility for their own CPD, engaging critically with educational research to further the Church’s mission in education 

The Headteacher is required to carry out professional duties as detailed in the job description, in Canon Law, the Trust Deed and Instrument of Government for the school and where applicable those set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document.  

Specific responsibilities: 

 Shaping the future  

The strategic direction and development of the school stems from the education mission of the Church which is reflected in the school’s mission statement, the school’s development and improvement plan and all policies and procedures.  

• Work with the Diocese,parishesand others to create a shared culture and positive climate that reflects the mission of the Church in education.  
• Ensure the shared vision for the school is clearly articulated,understoodand effectively acted upon by all and demonstrated in everyday work and practice.  
• Work within the school community to translate the vision into agreedobjectivesand operational plans which will promote and sustain school improvement.  
• Motivate and works with others to create a shared culture and positive climate. 
• Ensure creativity,innovationand the use of appropriate new technologies to achieve excellence.  
• Ensure that strategic planning takes account of the diversity, values and experience of the school and community at large and the Church in education. 

Principal responsibilities  

The Headteacher will be responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school. This includes the national extended schools agenda in accordance with safeguarding legislation, the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document, the policies of the Governing Body (including its annual budget), applicable legislation and the policies of Southwark Local Authority.  

The Headteacher, working with the Governing Body, leadership team and school staff, will develop a strategic view for the school in the context of its wider community and will ensure accurate school self-evaluation to inform school improvement planning. This job description should be read in conjunction with the National Conditions of Employment for Headteachers.  

Leading learning and teaching 

 In a Catholic school the search for excellence is expressed in learning and teaching which responds to the needs and aspirations of all its pupils and acknowledges their individual worth as children of God.  

• Develop, in consultation with the Governing Body, curriculum policies and practices that meet statutory requirements, are relevant to the aptitude and stages of development of all pupils, including those with special educational needs, provides for the spiritual, moral, cultural,socialand emotional development of all pupils.  
• Implement strategies which securehigh standardsof behaviour and attendance.  
• Ensure that learning is at the centre of strategic planning and resource management. 
• Establishcreative, responsive and effective approaches to learning and teaching including the use of new and changing technology to enhance and extend the learning experience of all pupils and staff.  
• Determine,organise and implement a diverse, flexible curriculum and implements an effective assessment framework.  
• Ensure a consistent and continuous school- wide focus on pupils’ achievements, using data and benchmarks tomonitorprogress in every child’s learning.  
• Monitor, evaluate and review classroom practice and promotes improvement strategies. 
• Challenge underperformance at all levels and ensures effective corrective action and follow up. 
• Ensure a culture of challenge and support, where all pupils can achieve success and become engaged in their own learning. 
• Demonstrateand articulate high expectations and set stretching targets for the whole school community.  
• Implement Diocesan policies on religious education, sex and relationship education and worship. 

Leading and managing staff  

In a Catholic school the role of the Headteacher is one of leadership of a learning community routed in faith. Christ is the inspiration for the Headteacher’s leadership.  

The Headteacher’s management of staff should demonstrate an awareness of their unique contributions as individuals valued and loved by God.  

• Assist the Governing Body indeterminingthe staffing structure for the school.  
• Treat people fairly, equitably and with dignity and respect to create andmaintaina positive school culture.  
• Develop andmaintaineffective strategies and procedures for staff recruitment, induction, professional development and performance review with regard to Diocesan guidance and advice.  
• Acknowledge the responsibilities and celebrate the achievements of individuals and teams. 
• Develop andmaintaina realistic culture of high expectations for self and others and take appropriate action when performance is unsatisfactory.  
• Regularly reflect on and review own practice, set personaltargetsand take responsibility for own personal development.  

Securing accountability  

The Headteacher supports the Governing Body in fulfilling its responsibility under Canon Law to the Diocese and in accordance with English Law.  

• Fulfil commitments arising from contractual accountability to the Governing Body, including attendance at Governing Body meetings and reporting asrequiredand assisting in its work as needed.  
• Develop andmaintainpositive relationships with parishes, the wider Catholic community, other Catholic schools and other schools in the area and the Local Authority.  
• Recognise the authority of theArchbishopin relation to the provision of Catholic education in the Diocese and to work with Diocesan authorities to provide them with such information as they require.  
• Develop a Catholic ethos which enables everyone to work collaboratively, share knowledge and understanding, respect one another, celebratesuccessand accept and share responsibility for outcomes.  
• Ensure individual staff accountabilities are clearly defined,understoodand agreed and are subject to rigorous review and evaluation. Develop and present a coherent, and accurate account of the school’s performance to a range of audiences including governors, parents and carers, the Diocese and the local authority. 
• Reflect on personal contribution to school achievements, takes account of feedback from others and provides opportunities for parents and carers to have dialogue and meetings with staff in the school to support their children’s learning. 

Strengthening community  

The Headteacher shares responsibility for the mission of the school and wider Diocesan education system and is therefore called to work in collaboration with others.  

• Build a school culture and curriculum which takes account of the richness and diversity of the school’s communities and is rooted in the Catholic Christian Faith. 
• Create and promote positive strategies for challenging racial and other prejudice and dealing with racial harassment. 
• Ensure learning experiences for pupils are linked into and integrated with the wider community and liaises, whereappropriate, with offsite learning providers to ensurean appropriate curriculum relevant to individual needs and aspirations.  
• Collaborate with other agencies; clergy, religious, diocesan officers, colleagues, Headteachers of other schools and agencies set up by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in providing for the academic, spiritual, moral, social,emotionaland cultural well-being of pupils and their families.  
• Create andmaintainan effective, sensitive, partnership with parents and carers to support and improve pupils’ achievement and personal development.  
• Seek opportunities to invite families, past pupils, community figures,businessesand other organisations into the school to enhance and enrich the school and its value to the wider community.  
• Contribute to the development of the education system by sharing good practice, working in partnership with other schools and promoting innovative initiatives, especially with other Diocesan schools. 
• Promote and develop the good reputation of the school within the local and wider communities. 
• Build a school culture and curriculum which takes account of the richness and diversity of the school’s communities and is rooted in the Catholic Christian Faith. 
• Create and promote positive strategies for challenging racial and other prejudice. 
• Ensure learning experiences for pupils are linked into and integrated with the wider community and liaises, whereappropriate, with offsite learning providers to ensurean appropriate curriculum relevant to individual needs and aspirations.  
• Collaborate with other agencies; clergy, religious, diocesan officers, colleagues, headteachers of other schools and agencies set up by the Catholic Bishops’ conference of England and Wales in providing for the academic, spiritual, moral, social,emotionaland cultural well-being of pupils and their families.  
• Create andmaintainan effective, sensitive, partnership with parents and carers to support and improve pupils’ achievement and personal development.  
• Seek opportunities to invite families, past pupils, community figures,businessesand other organisations into the school to enhance and enrich the school and its value to the wider community.  
• Contribute to the development of the education system by sharing good practice, working in partnership with other schools and promoting innovative initiatives, especially with other Diocesan schools. 
• Promote and develop the good reputation of the school within the local and wider communities. 
• Have the ability tocommunicate effectively in Spanish, or a clear willingness to develop Spanish language skills in order to support engagement with Spanish-speaking families within the school community. 

Safeguarding  

• Co-operate and work with relevant agencies toestablishand maintain rigorous systems to protect children.  
• Responsible for ensuring the welfare, health and well-being of all children and young people. Create a vigilant organisational culture whichmonitorsand prioritises the safeguarding of children and young people above all considerations  

Promoting equality and diversity  

To treat everyone with dignity and respect. 

To promote and participate to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and faster good relations between our diverse communities.  

Safer recruitment 

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.