ASSISTANT HEADTEACHER (LITERACY FOCUSED)
L12 – L16 £65,286 - £72,162
1.0 FTE
PERMANENT CONTRACT
REQUIRED 1st SEPTEMBER 2025
At BSCA and The Bishop Fraser Trust, we believe that ensuring children can read at and beyond their chronological reading age is an absolute game-changer. It is the foundation upon which their future success is built. We know that when children leave school without confidence in their reading ability and literacy skills, they face significant barriers to achieving the employment and opportunities they truly deserve. We refuse to let that happen. We want every child in our schools to flourish.
That’s why this role—Assistant Headteacher for Literacy—is one of the most critical in our organisation. Too many of our pupils arrive with literacy levels below age-related expectations, and we need a warrior, a champion, to change that.
We are looking for someone who will drive forward three key areas of our reading agenda:
* Reading interventions that make a difference – ensuring that every opportunity is maximised, so pupils make rapid gains in their reading skills, confidence, and attitude towards reading.
* Discipline literacy across the curriculum – embedding literacy in every subject, in every lesson, every day, so all teachers are actively helping to lift pupils to the next level.
* Inspiring a love of reading – so that a passion for books and stories is passed on to the next generation, breaking the cycle of reading anxiety and unlocking new possibilities for our children.
But that’s not all. We also want someone who is just as passionate about developing writing—helping children express themselves clearly and effectively—and supporting curriculum areas in building oracy skills. We need innovative approaches that ensure our pupils leave us as confident communicators, able to speak up for themselves and others.
Bolton St. Catherine’s Academy is on an exciting journey, and we are incredibly proud of the culture we are building here. Our recent Ofsted inspection highlighted the fantastic progress we have made as an academy, and we are looking for someone to join us as we take our next steps. We offer state-of-the-art facilities in an amazing £36 million building, providing staff with the opportunity to teach in a cutting-edge and vibrant environment.
We are also fully committed to staff development, with over 60 hours CPD and development annually, as well as our own leadership development programmes.
Our students deserve the very best, if you believe so too, come and look around!
WE ARE SEEKING A PASSIONATE CANDIDATE WHO:
* Model and drive the values and vision of the school.
* Inspire, challenge and support others to enable them to be the best they can be
* Drive the school’s vision and expectations to have a significant impact on students’ life chances sharing our ethos that ‘no child is left behind’
* Be an outstanding leader, teacher and role model for all
* Have a proven track record of leadership at middle or senior level
* Nurture a culture of professional development
* Have the ability to project presence and articulate our vision to all members of the school community
* Demonstrate high level inter-personal skills to work successfully with a wide range of audiences
* Show a commitment to modelling the highest professional standards and the ability to teach outstanding lessons
* Have a proven track record of change management to secure improved academic standards
* Are committed to equality of opportunity and inclusive education
* Have the energy, enthusiasm, personal warmth and humour to remain resilient and deliver the above.
YOUR MAIN DUTIES WOULD BE:
* To be the strategic lead for the school’s Literacy.
IN RETURN, WE OFFER:
* Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Access to National College training, subject-specific CPD, leadership pathways, and mentoring programs.
* Career Progression: Clear pathways for growth, from early careers to leadership roles. We use a ‘touchbase’ informal approach to focus on professional development as well as an annual career conversation with your manager!
* Wellbeing & Support: Leadership training focused on wellbeing, mental health resources, and staff networks.
* Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI): Commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, with ongoing EDI training and initiatives.
* Long weekend off in November for teachers and term time support staff!
* Automatic pay progression for teachers – we don’t have performance related appraisals and pay reviews!
* Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days for all year-round support staff. This increases to 28 days after 5 years!
* A paid premium to a Healthcare Cash Plan to claim back contributions towards dental, optical and other medical costs via UK Healthcare
* 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme
* Amazing benefits and discounts via UK Healthcare
* Fantastic facilities
* A lunch allowance for those colleagues volunteering to assist in lunchtime duties or activities
APPLICATION INFORMATION:
For more information visit our website or contact our Business Operations Team on 01204 332553 or by emailing hr@boltonstcatherinesacademy.org.uk
To apply please complete the attached application form via the link
Please do not send CV’s as they will not be considered.
We reserve the right to close the recruitment early should sufficient suitable candidate applications be received.
The Bishop Fraser Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to child protection screening including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and past employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer. References will be sought prior to interview.
CLOSING DATE: Fri day 25th April 2025
INTERVIEWS: TBC