Assistant Headteacher

Catholic Recruitment; Horwich; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

St Joseph’s RC High School in Horwich invites applications for an exceptional Assistant Headteacher to join our senior leadership team as we open a new Resource Provision in September 2027. The successful candidate will lead with a Catholic ethos, drive inclusion, and secure outstanding outcomes through strategic, collaborative leadership.

Join a dynamic team committed to safeguarding, professional growth, and transforming lives within a faith-based community.

Qualifications

• Strong track record of whole-school leadership and measurable impact
• Willingness to complete the Creditation qualification for SENDCos
• Inspirational classroom practitioner with a passion for teaching and learning
• Expertise in assessment, monitoring, tracking and intervention
• Innovative practice and commitment to professional growth
• Resilience, empathy and determination to support young people to overcome barriers

Responsibilities

• Actively lead and promote the Catholic Christian ethos of the school
• Demonstrate a strong track record of whole-school leadership and impact
• Inspire colleagues through innovative practice and professional growth
• Champion a culture of high ambition for all students, including those with additional needs

Skills

Whole-school leadership

Teaching & learning

Assessment & intervention

Strategic thinking

Education

Creditation qualification for SENDCos

Job description

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join the senior leadership team of a thriving, oversubscribed 11-16 Voluntary Aided RC High School at a pivotal moment in its development. Our governors are seeking to appoint an exceptional Assistant Headteacher who is ready to make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of young people.

We are looking for a visionary, energetic and highly motivated leader, someone who combines creativity with strategic thinking, and who is driven by a deep commitment to educational excellence underpinned by Christian values.

At St Joseph’s, we do not have a SEND department; instead, we operate through our RAISE Network, reflecting our belief that every young person has individual strengths, needs, and aspirations. We focus not on deficit-based labels but on identifying and removing barriers to learning so that all students can flourish. Inclusion is a whole-school responsibility, and every member of staff acts as a triage nurse, identifying emerging needs, signposting support, and working collaboratively to ensure that every student receives the provision required to succeed. As part of our continued commitment to this vision, we are excited to be opening a brand new Resource Provision in September 2027, enabling us to further enhance our support for students with more complex needs whilst remaining firmly rooted in our inclusive ethos. We are seeking an innovative, strategic, and inspirational leader who is excited by the opportunity to champion this distinctive approach, develop an exceptional culture of inclusion, and ensure that every student is empowered to become the very best version of themselves.

You will join a dynamic, forward-thinking senior team where your influence will be felt immediately and your leadership potential will be nurtured and expanded. For an aspirant future Headteacher, this role offers the perfect platform to grow, innovate and lead with purpose.

We are seeking a leader who embodies our inclusive values, has a proven record of whole-school impact, and instinctively takes collective responsibility for the success of every child and every colleague. You will be someone who never walks past an opportunity to improve, who uses their influence courageously, and who leads with integrity, compassion and ambition.

As a Catholic Christian community, we offer a rich and rewarding environment in which to lead. You will work with talented, enthusiastic students, from the most academically able to those who need additional support to thrive and with a dedicated team of skilled, passionate staff. Our induction programme for new colleagues is highly regarded and ensures that leaders joining us feel supported, valued and empowered from day one.

We are unwavering in our mission: to transform lives and create exceptional life chances through outstanding education. We are seeking an inspirational teacher and leader who can ignite curiosity, raise aspirations and model excellence in every aspect of school life.

The successful candidate will:

• Actively lead and promote the Catholic Christian ethos of our school
• Demonstrate a strong track record of whole-school leadership and measurable impact
• Have completed or be willing to complete the Creditation qualification for SENDCos.
• Be an inspirational classroom practitioner with a passion for teaching and learning
• Bring expertise in assessment, monitoring, tracking and intervention
• Inspire colleagues through innovative practice and a commitment to professional growth
• Show resilience, empathy and determination in supporting young people to overcome barriers
• Champion a culture of high ambition particularly for those with additional needs preparing students to become confident, compassionate "game changers" in the world

Our Mission

Jesus Christ is our family role model

Opening hearts and minds to dream the impossible and achieve beyond imagination

Valuing, nurturing and respecting every individual

Journeying together to build God's Kingdom

Striving for academic excellence and celebrating success in all we do

If you believe you can help us realise our vision…

If you can inspire young people to dream boldly and achieve beyond their expectations…

If you want to be part of a life-changing leadership team…

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.The post is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We recognise that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool in helping candidates to organise, refine, and present their ideas, and it may assist in the preparation of application materials. However, we are ultimately seeking to appoint a person, not a product of AI. We are looking for a leader who demonstrates authenticity, professional judgement, empathy, and a genuine commitment to young people. We therefore encourage applicants to ensure that their application reflects their own values, experiences, and voice, enabling us to gain a true understanding of who they are as a leader and the contribution they could make to the St Joseph’s community.