Year Leader

Location: St Leonard’s Catholic School, North End, Durham, DH1 4NG

Grade: MPS/UPS (£32,916 – £51,048 per annum) plus TLR 2b £5,871

Hours: Full Time, Permanent

St Leonard’s Catholic School is a thriving, oversubscribed secondary school with a vibrant sixth form, located in the historic cathedral city of Durham. We are proud to have been graded ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted (October 2024), with inspectors praising our culture of care and achievement where every pupil is known and loved. They highlighted our expertly designed curriculum, exceptional teaching, and strong personal development programme that builds character and resilience. Pupils achieve exceptionally well and value the high-quality education they receive.

Our Catholic Schools Inspection (2025) commended St Leonard’s as a community where faith and learning flourish together, describing our mission as “lived and visible in every aspect of school life.” Inspectors noted the strength of our pastoral care, the commitment of staff to pupils’ spiritual and moral development, and the inclusive, supportive environment that makes our school a joy to be part of.

We are entering an exciting new chapter as part of the national School Re-Building Programme, with a stunning new building opening in Spring 2026. This will combine cutting-edge facilities with the charm of a restored Victorian house at the heart of our site.

As one of the highest-achieving schools in the North East—with almost 50% of GCSE grades at 9–7 and excellent A Level outcomes (Overall Grade B)—we have a strong track record for Oxbridge and Russell Group university applications.

We are proud to be part of the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, the largest Catholic education trust in the North East, offering exceptional opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and career progression across 48 schools.

Why work with us?

• Outstanding behaviour and a calm, respectful learning environment.

• A supportive, faith-driven community where staff are valued and developed.

• High-quality professional development opportunities through the school and Trust.

• A school culture that prioritises wellbeing, collaboration, and excellence.

• Exciting future with state-of-the-art facilities opening in 2026.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a compassionate and dedicated Year Leader to join our Pastoral Team in September 2026.

The successful candidate will be a strong classroom practitioner who has the ability to motivate young people of all abilities and will contribute to the high standards of pastoral care in school. You will also be an advocate for all students, particularly the disadvantaged, including those with SEND.

If you are passionate about pastoral care and want to join a school where excellence and care go hand in hand, we would love to hear from you.  For further details about the school, please visit https://stleonardsdurham.bwcet.com/ or to arrange a visit, please contact Kate Woodall on 0191 3848575.

For an application form and further details about this vacancy please visit our website https://bwcet.com/work-for-us/vacancies  where applications can be completed online.

Closing date: 12 January 2026

Interview date: TBC

The Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and is subject to an enhanced DBS check.