Full Time

L15 (£82,888) – L21 (£93,556)

Headteacher – St Francis Catholic Primary School, Peckham SE15 1RQFull Time, PermanentStart date: 1 September 2026Salary Range: L15 (£82,888) – L21 (£93,556)Apply by: Friday 27th February 2026 at 12.00pmInspiring hearts and minds through faith, love, and learningAre you a passionate and visionary leader ready to shape the future of a vibrant Catholic primary school?Do you believe in nurturing every child’s potential through Gospel values, excellence in education, and a spirit of service?The Governors of St Francis Catholic Primary School, Peckham, are seeking a dedicated and practising Catholic Headteacher to lead our thriving one-form entry school into its next exciting chapter. We are a Voluntary Aided Catholic primary school, proud of our strong parish links and support from the Norbertine Clergy at Our Lady of Sorrows, as well as our deep-rooted commitment to the children and families we serve.About our schoolSt Francis is a joyful, inclusive and faith-filled community where children are at the heart of everything we do. Our pupils are happy, curious and enthusiastic learners; our staff are professional, creative and dedicated; and our Governors and parents are actively engaged in the life of the school.We are committed to ensuring that every child grows in confidence, character and compassion, grounded in the teachings of Christ.We are looking for a Headteacher who:• Is a practising Catholic with a clear vision for Catholic education and the ability to nurture the spiritual life of the whole school community.• Has a proven record of inspirational and effective leadership, raising standards and leading successful school improvement.• Is an innovative and reflective practitioner who places children’s well-being and learning at the centre of every decision.• Can foster a culture of high expectations, inclusion, and respect, empowering staff and pupils alike to achieve their full potential.• Is an excellent communicator, able to build strong partnerships with staff, parents, governors, parish and the wider community.• Has the ability to communicate effectively in Spanish, or a clear willingness to develop Spanish language skills in order to support engagement with Spanish-speaking families within the school community•Demonstrates a deep understanding of safeguarding and a commitment to maintaining a safe, caring environment for all.We can offer you:• A strong Catholic ethos and supportive parish partnership.• Happy, well-behaved and motivated pupils who love to learn and live their faith.• A committed, talented and caring staff team who strive for excellence.• A dedicated Governing Body and close-knit school community.• Excellent opportunities for professional development, mentoring and peer support – especially if this is your first headship.• The opportunity to shape the next chapter of our school’s journey, continuing to build on our strong foundations of faith, love, and learning.Safeguarding and requirementsThis post is a reserved post for practising Catholics only, as defined by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and endorsed by the Archdiocese of Southwark.St Francis Catholic Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant employment checks, including an online search.Applications should be on a CES application form and sent to the school (applications not submitted on the CES application form will not be considered). Any electronic applications will have to be signed by the applicant attending an interview.Please note that we do not accept CVs or applications from agencies. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.Visits and applicationsWe warmly encourage you to visit our school to experience our ethos and meet our wonderful children and staff.If required please liaise with the School Business Manager, Claire Eldridge. Information and application packs are available at sbm@stfrancis.southwark.sch.uk and completed applications should be sent to this address also.Closing date: Friday 27th February 2026, 12pmShortlisting: Wednesday 4th March 2026Interviews: Tuesday 17th & Wednesday 18th March 2026 www.stfrancispeckham.co.uk