Headteacher

Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational trust in Knowsley is looking for an ambitious Headteacher to lead the St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy. The successful candidate will shape the school's future, improve educational outcomes, and foster a positive school culture. This role requires a committed individual with a proven record in school leadership and a deep understanding of the Catholic ethos. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference in a nurturing environment.

Qualifications

• A practising and committed Catholic who will strengthen the Academy’s Catholic ethos.
• A proven track record of successful and sustained school improvement.
• The ability to lead high-quality teaching and learning.
• A deep understanding of educational leadership in challenging contexts.
• Experience of leading change at whole-school level with resilience and impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear strategic direction for the school.
• Establish consistently high expectations.
• Improve outcomes for all learners.
• Strengthen attendance and nurture a positive school culture.
• Prioritise the professional growth and wellbeing of staff.

Skills

Leadership

School improvement

Strategic direction

Teaching and learning

Community engagement

Professional development

Education

Prior experience as a school leader

Commitment to Catholic ethos

Job description

Headteacher

Location : Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy

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

Pay Scale : L29 - L35

Closing date : 28th 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 were privileged to be joined by 4 primary schools in September 2024. We are anticipating significant growth in the next few years, and this provides a real opportunity for you to shape the development of a growing Catholic Multi Academy Trust. We have a distinctive way of working within PFCMAT.

St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy is entering a new and important phase of its development. Recent years have brought significant challenge, but also the 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 both 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.

Qualifications

• A practising and committed Catholic who will strengthen and model the Academy’s Catholic ethos
• A proven track record of successful decrypt 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 leading92 chang at whole‑school level with clarity, resilience and impact
• The personal authority to inspire confidence and commitment from pupils, staff, parents and the wider swingers

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 at the same time understands that 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 toÍ apply 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 subsequently.

The recruitment process for this post will be underpinned by rigorous Safer Recruitment assessment to ensure that children and young people are protected.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application