Head of PSHE and Careers Education

Head of PSHE and Careers Education

• Salary: London Teacher Pay Scales MPS/UPS £36,413- £53,994 + TLR2b (£5,472.96);
• Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time;
• Start Date: September 2025;
• Reports to: Head of Faculty – World Studies;
• Location: St Mary’s Catholic High School, Woburn Road, Croydon, CR9 2EE, London Borough of Croydon.

We are seeking:

To appoint an outstanding and forward-thinking Head of PSHE and Careers Education to lead and further develop these vital areas of our curriculum. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and values-driven teacher to make a meaningful impact on students’ personal development, future pathways, and life chances. If you are looking for a leadership opportunity in a high-performing school with a strong moral purpose, this is the role for you.

St Mary’s is a small but growing Catholic secondary school at the heart of Croydon. With excellent behaviour, a culture of academic excellence, and a strong sense of community, we are proud to be consistently ranked among the highest-performing schools in the borough. Our 2024 Progress 8 score places us in the top 5 schools locally, and our commitment to continuous improvement is matched by our passion for social justice.

At St Mary’s, we believe that high-quality PSHE and careers education is a cornerstone of our mission to develop well-rounded, confident, and socially responsible young people. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every student (regardless of their background) has the knowledge, skills, and character to thrive in life beyond school.

This new leadership role is central to that vision.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead the strategic development and delivery of a high-impact PSHE and careers curriculum across all year groups;
• Champion a culture of aspiration, resilience, and personal responsibility;
• Develop meaningful partnerships with employers, colleges, and external agencies to enhance students’ opportunities and experiences;
• Ensure compliance with statutory guidance while tailoring provision to meet the needs of our diverse and ambitious student body;
• Play a key role in our wider personal development programme, contributing to our Catholic ethos and inclusive values;
• You do not need to be a practising Catholic to apply;
• This is an ideal opportunity for a passionate and innovative teacher or middle leader ready to take the next step in their career, in a school that values integrity, ambition, and a deep commitment to serving its community.

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged, please contact Francisca at the details below to arrange. Excited to find out more about our school?

Benefits of working at St Mary’s Catholic High School:

• Ranked 5th place out of all schools in Croydon for progress;
• Excellent travel links with Central London and South London: 5 min walk from West Croydon (Southern Railway, Windrush Line – Overground, Tram and Bus) and 7 min walk from East Croydon (Thameslink, Southern Railway, Southeastern Railway, Gatwick Express, Tram and Bus);
• Great location close to excellent shopping and local amenities;
• A collaborative approach and positive relationships;
• Strong strategic leadership;
• Support from managers and colleagues;
• Equality of opportunities for staff;
• Appreciation of staff achievement and contribution;
• Induction of new staff and ongoing development for ECT;
• Students’ respect for staff and others;
• Support for career progression;
• Links with St Mary’s University for professional development (10 members of staff have either completed or progressing on the MA in Catholic School Leadership);
• Access to on-site car and bicycle parking facilities for all members of staff;
• Generous local authority pension scheme for support staff;
• Our staff are deeply committed to promoting social mobility, ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.

          OFSTED Quotes:

“St Mary’s Catholic High School is a deeply caring community. Its pupils and staff live up to their core values of being welcoming, serving others and working hard.”
“Pupils like coming to school and enjoy learning. They feel safe here and know that staff go the extra mile to check their whereabouts and well-being.”

How To Apply:

To apply, please request an application form from Francisca at stmaryscroydon@hays.com or call her on 0207 259 8770 for more information.

Your application is a direct permanent application to our school (not through agency), Hays is our recruitment partner for all permanent appointments.

Closing Date: Immediate, no later than 12 pm noon on Monday 19th May 2025.
Interview Date: TBA, week commencing Monday 19th May 2025.
Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interview. St Mary’s Catholic High School reserves the right to close adverts earlier than the stated deadline.

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), medical online and social media prohibition from teaching, right to work, satisfactory references, suitability to work with children. You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.