Headteacher

Location: Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy

Required from: 13th April or as soon as possible thereafter

Pay Scale: L29 – L35

Closing date: 28 January 2026 at 9am

Our Trust was the first of the permanent Catholic MATs set up within the Archdiocese of Liverpool and originally had 3 special measures schools. The schools and the leaders within those schools have made good progress supported by the Trust. We joined by 4 primary schools in September 2024. We anticipate significant growth in the next few years, providing an opportunity to shape the development of a growing Catholic Multi Academy Trust.

St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy is entering a new and important phase of development. Recent years have brought challenge, but also foundations for renewed confidence and stability. The Academy now requires an ambitious and values-driven Headteacher to lead it forward, building on emerging strengths and ensuring that improvement is rapid and sustainable. This is an opportunity for an experienced and resilient leader to shape the next chapter of the school’s journey.

The successful candidate will provide clear strategic direction, establish consistently high expectations and ensure that every pupil receives the quality of education they deserve. Central to this role will be improving outcomes for all learners, strengthening attendance and nurturing a culture in which students feel known, valued and motivated to succeed. Our Headteacher will also prioritise the professional growth and wellbeing of staff, developing a culture of high-quality professional learning and shared accountability. By recognising success, promoting positive behaviour and fostering pride in achievement, the successful candidate will help embed a strong culture of aspiration across our school community.

We are looking for the individual who has the following attributes, skills and knowledge:

• A practising and committed Catholic who will strengthen and model the Academy’s Catholic ethos
• A proven track record of successful and sustained school improvement
• The ability to lead high-quality teaching and learning so that all pupils achieve their full potential
• A deep understanding of the complexity of educational leadership in challenging contexts
• Experience of leading change at whole-school level with clarity, resilience and impact
• The personal authority to inspire confidence and commitment from pupils, staff, parents and the wider community

This is a demanding but deeply rewarding role, offering the opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of young people and to lead a school with strong values, growing confidence and significant potential. Our school is strongly supported by the Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust. The Trust will provide or secure expertise for rapid school improvement, guidance and support, but it is you as the Headteacher and your senior leaders who will drive school improvement.

Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children. Disclosure of any criminal convictions and an enhanced DBS check will be required for this post. It is an offence for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The post may not be exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as certain spent convictions and cautions are protected and are not subject to disclosure. It is important that an applicant provides the school with upfront disclosure of all unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. A failure to declare the above (that are not subject to the Disclosure and Barring Service filtering) may disqualify an applicant for appointment and may result in summary dismissal if the discrepancy comes to light.