Headteacher

• Location: St Robert of Newminster Catholic School & Sixth Form, Biddick Lane, Washington, NE38 8AF
• Grade: Leadership 34-40 (£116,456 – £134,860 per annum)
• Hours: Permanent, Full time

Applications are invited from practising and committed Catholics for the post of Headteacher at St Robert of Newminster Catholic School & Sixth Form to lead the school in the next exciting phase of its development.

We are proud to be part of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (BWCET), a family of 48 primary, first, middle and secondary schools serving communities across Durham, Gateshead, Northumberland and Sunderland.

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional practising and committed Catholic leader as headteacher of St Robert of Newminster Catholic School. This is a unique opportunity to lead a school with a strong Catholic identity into the next stage of its development, shaping its future with clarity, purpose and ambition, while contributing actively to the wider work of our Trust.

St Robert’s is a school defined by its Catholic ethos and its deep commitment to the formation of the whole person. Our mission goes beyond academic success: we are dedicated to the spiritual, moral and character development of every young person, preparing them to thrive in the wider world.

Since becoming an academy in 2012 and joining BWCET in 2020, the school has benefited from being part of a wider family of schools, rooted in partnership and shared purpose. This appointment marks an important next step in strengthening leadership and securing sustained improvement.

The successful candidate will play a key role within our Trust’s secondary headteachers’ group and wider leadership community, supported by an experienced and committed central team. You will not be leading in isolation, but as part of a strong and values-driven Trust that prioritises collaboration, professional growth and shared success. We are looking for a leader who will both benefit from and contribute to this collective strength.

This is an opportunity for a leader who is highly aspirational and grounded, someone who can inspire confidence, lead with integrity and deliver meaningful and lasting impact. We are looking for a headteacher who will:

• Champion and actively promote the school’s distinctive Catholic ethos
• Demonstrate a strong and successful track record in school leadership
• Provide clear, strategic leadership to drive continued improvement
• Be passionate about delivering an excellent, highly inclusive and holistic education for all pupils
• Secure strong outcomes through high-quality teaching and learning
• Invest in and develop staff, building a culture of professional learning and excellence
• Contribute positively to the wider work, leadership and development of the Trust.

If you are motivated by the opportunity to lead within a supportive and ambitious Trust, and to play a full role in a family of schools working together to improve outcomes for all, we would be delighted to hear from you.

How to Apply: 

To apply, please download the application pack and return your completed application to recruitment@bwcet.com by the closing date.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact pkearney@bwcet.com to arrange a call with Lucie Stephenson, CEO of BWCET. Visits to the school are also welcome and arranged on request.

• Closing date: Friday 8^th May 2026, 9:00am
• Shortlisting date: Monday 11^th May 2026
• Interviews to be arranged week commencing 18^th May 2026

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. This post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and is subject to an enhanced DBS check. An online search will be completed for all shortlisted candidates.