Visionary Head of Boarding & Catholic Life in Leicester

Ratcliffe College is seeking to appoint an exceptional and visionary leader to the role of Assistant Head (Boarding and Mission). This is a rare opportunity to lead within a community where Boarding and Catholic Life and Mission are not simply priorities, but are lived with authenticity, joy and conviction at every level of College life. Inspection evidence confirms that Ratcliffe is an outstanding school by every measure. Our young people are known, valued and cared for, and grow into confident, compassionate citizens who understand their responsibility to serve others and contribute to the common good. We are a thriving school, currently operating a waiting list for Year 7 entry in September 2026. We are unique in the UK as an all-through, co-educational, Catholic Rosminian school.

The Assistant Head (Boarding and Mission) will embody the late Pope Francis’s call for pastoral accompaniment. This is a role for a leader who is energised by building something, not simply maintaining it. You will benefit from exceptional foundations that have been laid by the incumbent Assistant Head (Boarding) and Resident Lay Chaplain. As Head of Boarding, you will provide strategic leadership for the development and growth of boarding, including increasing occupancy and retention, the quality of the lived boarding experience, ensuring it remains sector-leading, and the College’s immersion and summer programmes, strengthening international recruitment pathways.

As Senior Lay Chaplain, you will lead the Catholic Life and Mission of the College, working with colleagues from the Nursery through to the Sixth Form. This is a non-teaching role for a practising Roman Catholic, working throughout the calendar year. This post carries significant responsibility for the Catholic Life, Mission and Chaplaincy of Ratcliffe College, including serving as the Senior Lay Chaplain, leading prayer and liturgy, supporting faith formation, and acting as a visible witness to the Catholic ethos across the whole school community. These duties are central and intrinsic to the nature and purpose of the role.

Accordingly, it is an occupational requirement that the postholder be a baptised, practising Roman Catholic, as permitted under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, because the faith commitment of the postholder is crucial to the effective and authentic fulfilment of these pastoral, spiritual and mission-led responsibilities.

This role offers:

• A competitive base salary
• A generous performance-related bonus structure of up to c. 30% of base salary linked to:
• Boarding occupancy and growth
• Student retention
• Summer school and immersion programme success
• Suitable accommodation provided according to the needs of the postholder

We are seeking a candidate who:

• Has significant experience in boarding leadership (Housemaster/Housemistress or equivalent)
• Demonstrates a track record of innovation, recruitment or programme development
• Is a practising Roman Catholic, committed to leading and witnessing faith in a school community. A letter of support from your parish priest will be sought upon shortlisting.
• Is a visible, relational leader, able to build trust with pupils, parents and staff
• Brings energy, creativity and strategic ambition

This is not a traditional boarding role. It is an opportunity to lead, grow and reimagine boarding within a school where the foundations are already exceptional, and where the next phase requires strategic vision, energy and faith-driven leadership.