Description Letter FROM THE BOARD Thank you for your interest in applying for the post of Headteacher of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Bodmin within Plymouth CAST Multi Academy Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to join the skilled leadership team within our Multi Academy Trust of thirty-four Catholic schools and one nursery, formed in 2014. There are two secondary schools in the Trust, both are single sex schools based in Plymouth, and thirty-two primary schools. In geographical terms the Trust extends across seven local authority areas from Cornwall to Dorset. We have 1,150 staff and educate 6,700 children and young people. Our head office is located at St Boniface College in Plymouth. Plymouth CAST has a strong focus on school improvement, underpinned by our Catholic values. Twenty nine of our schools are currently Good or Outstanding and there is a strong positive momentum towards Good for all schools in the Trust. We are passionately committed to the core aspiration of Catholic education which is the flourishing of the human person for the common good. To that end we have developed collaborative working through a cluster model to ensure that local expertise and best practice in our schools is shared and developed. Each of our schools are supported by a School Improvement Officer. The School Improvement Officers are managed by the Director of Education, who, with the Chief Finance Officer and Chief Operating Officer, make up the Senior Executive Management Team, led by the Chief Executive. The Diocese of Plymouth has appointed a Diocesan Schools Commissioner, who works closely with the Chief Executive and the schools within the Trust, to ensure that the Bishop’s vision for education is actively promoted and embedded in all that we do. If you would like an informal discussion about this role with our Director of Education, please contact our HR Team by email to careersplymouthcast.org.uk The deadline for applications is 09:00 a.m. on Monday 27th January 2025 and the interview process will take place shortly after this date. We will contact shortlisted candidates with further details of the selection process soon after the deadline. Our application form for this post can be accessed here. Headteacher Job Title Headteacher Remuneration L11- L16 and appropriate pension scheme Main Location St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Bodmin Required for September 2025 Relocation Expenses Relocation expenses of up to £8,000 can be claimed for qualifying costs Plymouth CAST, one of the largest Catholic Multi Academy Trusts in the country, is seeking to appoint an experienced headteacher. Plymouth CAST is a Multi-Academy Trust comprising thirty-four schools plus a nursery situated within the Catholic Diocese of Plymouth with whom there is a close working relationship. The Trust is seeking to appoint a dynamic, strategic and practicing Catholic Headteacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. This is an exciting time to join a forward thinking and committed team, to both embed as well as shape working practices for the future. You will be joining a dedicated and supportive team and will have the opportunity to work with your School Improvement Officer and the Director of Education to help shape the way in which you will lead the schools to positively impact the education and development of the pupils. The core purpose of the headteacher is to provide professional leadership and management for the school. This will promote a secure foundation from which to achieve high standards in all areas of the school’s work. To gain this success you must establish high quality education by effectively managing teaching and learning, using personalised learning to realise the potential of all pupils. You will be committed to establishing a positive and proactive culture that promotes excellence, focusing on collaboration and driving internal excellence, underpinned by our Gospel Values. As headteacher you will provide vision, leadership and direction. You will ensure the school is managed and organised to meet its aims and targets. With the support from your line manager, you will be responsible for evaluating the performance of the school to identify the priorities for continuous improvement; raising standards; ensuring equality of opportunity for all; developing policies and practices; ensuring that resources are efficiently and effectively used to achieve aims and objectives and for the day-to-day management, organisation and administration of the school. Within our Multi Academy Trust we operate a core business function which works to support headteachers and school communities in all areas of financial, personnel, estates and facilities, procurement and operational management. You will need to develop excellent relationships with colleagues, local authorities and relevant agencies for children. Through such relationships you will play a key role in contributing to the development of the education system as a whole and collaborate with others to raise standards locally. Our Trust governance model is designed to ensure our Board of Directors has a direct line of communication to schools, Local CAST Boards and school leaders. You will be a practicing Roman Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church. You should be able to evidence collaborative and inspirational leadership that creates a culture of high expectations and aspirations that raises standards and ensures that all children reach their full potential. You will have the interpersonal skills to guide and inspire your pupils and staff. As headteacher you will need diplomacy, openness, approachability, and a personable style of leadership, as well as the ability to converse confidently with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. If you feel that you have the necessary skills and competencies, and the passion to make a difference to our children and young people, we would love to hear from you Essential requirements are: ● Practicing Catholic with a strong understanding of the structures and values of the Catholic Church ● Qualified to degree level relevant to the post and/or equivalent through professional experience. ● PGCE (or equivalent) – Qualified to Teach in the UK ● Recent, substantive and successful headship experience ● The ability to manage change through bringing innovative ideas to traditional approaches to teaching and learning ● Understanding and/or experience of managing finances and ensuring financial sustainability ● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – an attentive listener and team builder. ● A wide knowledge of current and proposed education policy and the legal framework within which schools must operate, particularly in relation to safeguarding, when part of a Multi Academy Trust. How to apply: If you would like an informal discussion about this role with our Director of Education, please contact our HR Team by email to careersplymouthcast.org.uk Our application form for this post can be accessed here. Closing Date: 09:00 a.m. on 27th January 2025 Link to apply: https://www.st-marys-bod.cornwall.sch.uk/web/vacancies/676385 We are committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will be assessed against the Childcare Disqualification Regulations. This is not a Cornwall Council vacancy therefore please contact the organisation direct for further information. Organisation address: Barn Lane, Bodmin. PL31 1LW Contact detail: HR Team Email: careersplymouthcast.org.uk Website: www.st-marys-bod.cornwall.sch.uk