Headteacher

St Bedes; Saltaire; On-site; GBP 130,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, Bradford is seeking a Headteacher to provide strategic, visible and faith‑filled leadership across two College sites, guiding a community of almost 1,800 students.

You will establish a compelling long‑term vision, raise outcomes and aspirations, ensure consistently excellent teaching across all subjects and phases, and further develop the Sixth Form within a strong, inclusive culture.

Qualifications

• You will be an accomplished Catholic school leader with the strategic vision, resilience and emotional intelligence to lead a large and complex College.
• You will bring:
• Qualified Teacher Status and an appropriate degree.
• Successful senior leadership and management experience within a school.
• NPQH or relevant senior leadership development.
• A strong record of leading sustained school improvement.
• Extensive knowledge of curriculum, teaching, assessment and pastoral care.
• Experience of developing effective leadership teams.
• Strong financial, organisational and governance knowledge.
• The confidence and judgement to lead successfully across two sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic, faith‑filled leadership across two sites.
• Establish a compelling vision for the College's development.
• Raise aspirations and improve outcomes for every student.
• Ensure consistently excellent teaching across all subjects and phases.
• Build upon the strength of the Sixth Form.
• Develop an ambitious, inclusive culture for students and staff.
• Inspire and empower a talented staff team.
• Oversee safeguarding, governance, financial and operational management.

Skills

Curriculum & assessment knowledge

Leadership teams experience

Financial & governance know‑how

Pastoral care knowledge

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Degree in relevant field

NPQH or senior leadership development

Job description

Lead one of the region's largest Catholic colleges, combining faith, scale and ambition to shape the future of nearly 1,800 young people.

HEADTEACHER

St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, Bradford

Salary: Leadership Scale L37 to L43, £129,730 to £148,829, subject to the September 2026 pay award

Contract: Full time, permanent

Start date: January 2027

Closing date: 12.00 noon on Monday 21 September 2026

THE ROLE

As Headteacher, you will provide strategic, visible and faith filled leadership across both College sites.

Your priorities will include:

• Placing Christ at the centre of College life
• Establishing a compelling vision for the next stage of the College's development
• Raising aspirations and improving outcomes for every student
• Ensuring consistently excellent teaching across all subjects and phases
• Building upon the strength and success of the Sixth Form
• Developing an ambitious, inclusive culture in which students and colleagues can flourish
• Inspiring, developing and empowering a talented staff team
• Ensuring effective safeguarding, governance, financial and operational management

ABOUT YOU

You will be an accomplished Catholic school leader with the strategic vision, resilience and emotional intelligence to lead a large and complex College.

You will bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status and an appropriate degree
• Successful senior leadership and management experience within a school
• NPQH or relevant senior leadership development
• A strong record of leading sustained school improvement
• Extensive knowledge of curriculum, teaching, assessment and pastoral care
• Experience of developing effective leadership teams
• Strong financial, organisational and governance knowledge
• The confidence and judgement to lead successfully across two sites

This is a reserved senior leadership post. In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, there is a genuine occupational requirement for the postholder to be a practising Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• A vibrant Catholic community with a distinctive identity and mission
• Respectful, ambitious students who are proud of their College
• Dedicated and talented staff with high morale
• A strong senior leadership structure and House system
• Support from the Trust Central Team, Board and Diocese of Leeds
• Excellent professional development and leadership networks
• An excellent pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support
• Access to a 24 hour GP and registered nurse service
• The opportunity to shape one of the region's largest Catholic Colleges
• Planned changes across the Diocese of Leeds will create further opportunities for professional development and collaboration across a larger family of Catholic schools.

Any offer will be subject to satisfactory references, right to work and safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available. No recruitment agencies, please.

Relevant job titles may include Head Teacher, Secondary School Headteacher, Catholic Headteacher, College Headteacher, Executive Headteacher, Head of School, School Principal, College Principal, Academy Principal, Deputy Headteacher, Deputy Head Teacher, Deputy Principal, Vice Principal, Senior School Leader or Senior Education Leader