Assistant Headteacher: Director of Religious Education and Religious Life of the School

About the Role

The Role

The Director of Religious Education and Religious Life of the School will be responsible to lead and develop our most central department. Religious Education permeates all aspects of school life at Trinity, and the Director of Religious Education and religious life of the school will be responsible for the strategic development of this subject and area across the school. They will support the liturgical experience and spiritual life of the school and they will take a leading role in supporting the Headteacher, the Governors and the Senior Management Team to develop a rigorous and broad curriculum in Religious Education and Philosophy.

Key responsibilities

•  To provide professional leadership and management of an outstanding Religious Education department.

•  To provide a high-quality educational experience for all students of Religious Education across KS3-KS5 to sustain (and increase) levels of attainment and achievement.

•  To keep abreast of curriculum developments in Religious Education to ensure the department is up to date.

•  To use Diocesan, national, local and school management data effectively, to monitor standards of achievement across the school in Religious Education and Philosophy.

•  To develop and fulfil department development plans based on identified needs and in line with the aims and policies of the school.

•  To support the Headteacher and Senior Management Team in ensuring that the Catholic ethos permeates all aspects of the school life.

•  To lead the preparation for the next Catholic School Inspection (expected in 2025-26).

•  To support (in liaison with the Chaplain and pastoral leads) in the organisation of liturgy and worship in conjunction with Headteacher and SMT.

•  To support (and lead where needed) specific school improvement priorities.

•  To lead in the liturgical experience and spiritual life of the school, both curricular and co-curricular (such as charity work and educational visits) in conjunction with SMT and school chaplain.

•  To organise and attend events and activities that raise the profile of Religious Education and Catholic ethos across the school community.

•  To report to the Governing Board where appropriate.

•  To actively fulfil and uphold responsibilities as an Assistant Headteacher and member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team.

•  To be responsible for the leadership and development of RSE across the school.

About Our School

Trinity Catholic High School is large Catholic comprehensive school situated in the London Borough of Redbridge and within the Diocese of Brentwood. Highly regarded in the area, we have a reputation for excellence in all aspects of our service to the children in our school and the wider community. Many of our staff are long-serving; 10 years plus which highlights their happiness and commitment to the school. Many ex-students choose to send their own children to Trinity.

The highest standards relating to Teaching and Learning are a feature of daily life at Trinity and these significantly and positively impact student progress and attainment which are demonstrated by our excellent exam results.

Trinity’s Section 48 report (January 2020) states that “Trinity Catholic High School is an outstanding school and a beacon of high-quality Catholic education. It has an excellent reputation in the local community and beyond and it is rightly seen as a flagship school for the Diocese of Brentwood”. The report also emphasises that “Catholic life at Trinity Catholic High School is outstanding and is of the highest quality” and “Every aspect of Collective Worship at the school is outstanding".

 We are seeking a professional who is:

• A practicing Catholic who wants to help transform the life chances of young people. 
• An inspirational thinker who wants the opportunity to have considerable impact on outcomes for our  young people and is committed to the very highest standards of student learning.
• A team player who thrives in a supportive, collegiate environment. 
• An excellent classroom practitioner with a drive for self-improvement and development.
• Keen to challenge and enthuse our diverse student population.

We can offer the successful Candidate: 

• A supportive and collegiate approach to staff development. We have a strong commitment to professional development and wellbeing, including access to all CPD provision.
• The opportunity to work with a highly experienced Headteacher and forward-thinking Senior Management Team.
• Non-contact time and Planning, Preparation and Assessment time (PPA) at Trinity is above the national minimum requirement of 10% of your timetable.
• A team of highly motivated and talented teachers that work collaboratively to raise standards and secure achievement for all students.
• A well-resourced school and a stimulating environment that is conducive to high quality teaching and learning.

The Application:

The School can only accept applications made on our school leadership application form. Download our application form from our website: www.tchs.org.uk/about-us/employment/

• Tel:                                                          020 8504 3419

• Email:                                                     recruitment@tchs.org.uk

• Closing date for applications:            Friday 10 May 2024 – 12 Noon

• Interviews take place:                         Monday 20 May 2024

• Early applications are welcome

Trinity Catholic High School is committed to safeguarding children. Further details of this can be found on our website https://www.tchs.org.uk/about-us/safeguarding/ Successful candidates must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and a satisfactory enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring service (DBS).

Please note, due to high volumes of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We reserve the right to call applicants to interview prior to the closing date.