DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation
We are looking for a talented individual to join us our leadership team as an Assistant Head.
St John Baptist CiW High School (“St John’s”) is an 11-18 co-educational comprehensive with approximately 1,000 pupils on roll, which includes over 200 sixth formers. Located in Aberdare, the school boasts extensive playing fields and is adjacent to the Dare Valley Country Park.
Our standards of achievement are consistently high, with pupils achieving very well compared to local and national comparators. However, whilst the school is proud of its academic achievements, significant emphasis is placed on the formation of the ‘whole-person’. Our distinctive Christian ethos is at the heart of life at St John’s. Local clergy, who are regular visitors to the school, play an active role in the spiritual life of the school. We also offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities to support pupils to develop their skills in creative and expressive arts, languages, and sport.
One of the many strengths at St John’s is the strong relationships between pupils and staff. These effective working relationships help make the school a great place to work and learn. Our pupils are happy, articulate, and hard-working. They are a genuine asset to the St John’s family. In our most recent Estyn inspection, the attitudes and behaviour of our pupils was described as, “exceptional”. We are fortunate to have a talented and hard-working group of staff who work tirelessly to ensure all pupils can achieve their potential.
About the role
The vacancy has become available following the promotion of the current post-holder to Deputy Headship in a neighbouring authority. The substantive leadership team is made up of the Headteacher, a Deputy Head, three Assistant Heads and Business Manager. However, for the past two academic years, there has been a temporary leadership structure in place following the departure of the long-serving Headteacher in August 2024.
In December 2025, Jonathan Davies was appointed the new Headteacher of St John’s and will take up post in September 2026. He and the Executive Headteacher have been working closely to ensure a smooth transition of leadership in readiness for the new school year.
Each member of the leadership team is accountable for leading strategic areas of the school. However, at the same time, as a member of the leadership team there is a shared responsibility to deliver on the priorities for the school, as outlined in the School Development Plan (SDP). While the exact remit for this role will be determined by the skillset of the successful applicant, it is anticipated that the new post-holder will have strategic responsibility for Curriculum, learning and teaching (including skills); and the professional development of all staff, including ITE and new staff induction. Ultimately, we are looking for someone to make a valuable contribution to the team and welcome applications from existing members of leadership teams as well as suitably experienced middle leaders looking for their first role in whole-school leadership.
Deadline: 12.00pm on 9th March 2026;
Interview: w/c 16th March 2026; and
Start Date: 1st September 2026.
Safeguarding Statement
As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and/or age. All posts are open to job-share, unless specified otherwise. St John Baptist CiW High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils and young adults. The school expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this, all employment opportunities at the school are subject to satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).