Head Teacher

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School; London Borough of Havering; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Upminster, Essex, invites applications for an inspirational Head Teacher to lead our two-form-entry school from January 2027. The role requires a practising Catholic with proven leadership across primary phases and a strong commitment to Gospel values.

The successful candidate will provide spiritual and strategic leadership, work with supportive governors, and guide staff to nurture a caring, ambitious learning community grounded in faith.

Qualifications

• Must be a practising Catholic in good standing with the Church and able to lead the Catholic life of the school with authenticity and conviction.
• Experience leading a primary school, with strategic vision for a two-form-entry setting.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.
• Ability to build partnerships with families, parish and the Diocese of Brentwood.

Responsibilities

• Provide spiritual, strategic and operational leadership for the school.
• Lead development of a broad, engaging curriculum and high behaviour standards.
• Lead and support staff through coaching and mentoring.
• Promote Town and parish partnerships and safeguarding across all school activities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic planning

Safeguarding

Education

Headship/Deputy leadership experience

Job description

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

St Mary’s Lane

Upminster

Essex RM14 2QB

Tel:[phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Head Teacher

Salary:Group 3: L18–L24a, Outer London

Hours:Full Time

Contract:Permanent

Required from 12th April 2027

NOR: 420, two-form entry

Are you ready to lead a joyful, ambitious Catholic school community where children are known, loved and inspired to flourish?

The governors of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Upminster, are seeking to appoint an inspirational, practising Catholic Head Teacher to lead our happy and welcoming two-form-entry school from January 2027. Rooted in Gospel values and with Christ at the centre, St Joseph’s is a school with strong foundations, delightful children, dedicated staff, supportive families and an ambitious governing body.

This is a wonderful opportunity for a visible, faith-filled and values-led leader to build on all that is already strong, while shaping the next stage of our school’s journey with confidence, warmth and vision.

Applications are warmly invited from serving Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers who can demonstrate successful strategic Catholic leadership, with experience in at least two primary phases.

Our mission is simple and deeply held:

St Joseph’s is a joyful community which follows the example of Jesus, helping, accepting and respecting everyone, as we learn and grow together, safe in His love.

We are looking for a Head Teacher who will live out this mission every day: through faith, presence, high expectations and a deep commitment to every child. Working with supportive governors and a committed staff team, our new Head Teacher will provide the spiritual, strategic and operational leadership needed to help every child and adult in our community flourish.

Why St Joseph’s?

At St Joseph’s, you will find a school community with heart: children who are eager to learn, staff who care deeply, parents who want the best for their children, and governors who are committed to supporting the next Head Teacher with clarity, trust and ambition.

The successful candidate will:

• Be a practising Catholic in good standing with the Church, able to lead the Catholic life of the school with authenticity, joy and conviction.
• Value the school’s place at the heart of the local Catholic community, strengthening links with families, parish and the Diocese of Brentwood.
• Be a visible, approachable and values-led leader who builds trust with children, staff, parents, governors and the parish community
• Be passionate in promoting a clear child-centred vision.
• Be kind, inclusive, aspirational and ambitious for all our children, staff and wider community.

Governors are seeking someone who will :

• Lead with high expectations for behaviour, achievement and personal development, ensuring that every child is supported to flourish spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally.
• Champion and further strengthen a broad, ambitious and engaging curriculum that staff are excited to teach and children are inspired to learn.
• Be able to demonstrate a proven track record of providing inspirational, strategic and professional leadership.
• Be passionately committed to safeguarding and the welfare and wellbeing of children and staff.
• Be a team leader with experience of coaching and mentoring.
• Be an excellent communicator with a strong commitment to working in partnership with parents and the parish community.
• Have a positive, optimistic and nurturing approach; be proactive and confident.

We can offer the successful candidate:

• Delightful children who are proud of their school and eager to learn.
• A professional, caring and dedicated staff team who want every child to succeed.
• A commitment to ongoing professional development for the Head Teacher and staff team.
• Enthusiastic and aspirational senior leaders.
• A well-established two-form-entry school with strong foundations and clear opportunities for further development.
• A supportive, collaborative and ambitious governing body committed to working in partnership with the new Head Teacher.
• An accessible and central school location with excellent transport links to Essex, London and the South East.
• Ofsted rated “Good” (2022: Section 8)
• Diocese of Brentwood rated “Outstanding” (2022).

This is a reserved post and is open to practising Catholics only. Please review the document produced by the Diocese of Brentwood, “Definition of a practising Catholic for a reserved posts” for further information.

Supporting Documents

• Consent to obtain references (from Parish Priest and Professional Referees)
• Head Teacher Person Specification
• Job Description
• Chair’s welcome letter to applicants
• CES Model Application Forms and Supplementary Forms - Notes to applicant
• Recruitment monitoring form

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the whole school community and expects everyone to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks.

Consistent with our safer recruitment policy, shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online search to identify any public content that may relate to their suitability for the role.