School Vice Principal

Applications are invited from practising and committed Catholics for the post of Deputy Headteacher at St Benet’s Catholic Primary School to lead the school in the next exciting phase of its development.
Someone who can lead by example, motivate a team and is driven to make St Benet’s the best possible place to be for our pupils and staff.
Our Trust is committed to the support and development of all staff. We will ensure that the education team nurtures our new Deputy Headteacher so that they feel fully equipped to flourish in their new role.
St Benet’s is proud to be part of the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, a family of secondary, middle, primary and first schools in Durham, Gateshead, Northumberland and Sunderland.
During the academic year 2023/2024, St Benet’s has been affected by the disruption caused by RAAC resulting in the children working across two sites. However, from June 2024 the school building shall re-open and the community shall be back together. In addition, under the DfE’s school rebuilding programme, St Benet’s shall benefit from a new school building in the future. The children are at the centre of all that we do at St Benet’s and we can offer you very happy children who despite the challenges faced this year, they have tackled every obstacle with a smile on their face. We aim to provide a stimulating learning environment in which each child feels valued and can fulfil their academic potential. We have designed our provision to develop the moral, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of our children at each stage in their development and we pride ourselves on our ethos of ‘a happy and holy place of learning and the centre of a thriving community.’
In line with diocesan policy, we need our new Deputy Headteacher to work in partnership with the Headteacher to:



Establish and sustain a Christ centred vision embodied in the school’s Catholic mission, ethos and strategic direction in partnership with the parish and Trust, those responsible for governance and through consultation with the school community and Diocese.
Establish and sustain high-quality, expert teaching across all subjects and phases, built on an evidence-informed understanding of effective teaching and how pupils learn.
Ensure high standards of pupil behaviour through the promotion of the virtues and courteous conduct in accordance with the school’s behaviour policy.
Establish and sustain ethos, culture and practices rooted in the distinctive characteristics of Catholic education that enable pupils to access the curriculum and learn effectively.
Prioritise the professional development of staff, ensuring effective planning, delivery and evaluation which is consistent with the approaches laid out in the standard for teachers’ professional development.
Ensure the protection and safety of pupils and staff through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of the duty of care.
Work alongside the Headteacher to implement careful and effective school improvement strategies, which lead to sustained school improvement over time.
Commit their school to work successfully with other Catholic schools and other schools and organisations in a climate of mutual challenge and support.
Be one of the school’s Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Lead teaching and learning as a classroom practitioner with a teaching responsibility.
Facilitate, support and monitor the overall progress and development of our children, in particular those with additional needs (SEND).
Secure understanding of the distinctive nature of the Catholic school and Catholic education.
Evidence of appropriate professional development for the role of Deputy Headteacher.
Significant teaching experience.
As the school building is currently closed, visits to the temporary school site are strongly welcomed and encouraged to meet with the Headteacher and discuss the position.
com to request a school visit or, for further information.
The Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An online search will be completed for all shortlisted candidates.
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