Job title and organisation: Assistant Head of PTE (Philosophy, Theology and Ethics - Core RE) - Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College
Salary: Appointment will be made on the Sixth Form Colleges Association Salary spine for teaching staff, Spine 1 £33,465 to Spine 9 £51,714, plus 2 responsibility allowance points (2 x £1,341) per annum.
Hours: Full Time. This post is on an Extended contract of 210 days per year
Contract: Permanent
Location: Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, St Mark's Avenue, Leeds, LS2 9BL
Closing Date and Time: Thursday 22 January 2026 at 9 AM
The College is seeking to appoint a well-qualified and enthusiastic individual to the post of Assistant Head of Philosophy, Theology & Ethics (PTE), who will help to lead and inspire a team of experienced teachers. The person appointed will be a practising Catholic* who is inspirational and ambitious in their commitment to provide the highest quality teaching and learning and who will hold the needs of the students at the centre of their decision making. You should have a track record of outstanding success and be visionary in supporting the leadership of PTE and further developing the team.
PTE at Notre Dame
PTE is an exploration of faith programme that aims to give our students aged 16-19 an opportunity to reflect on the deeper questions of life, such as who we are, why we are here, and how we want to live our lives and conduct our relationships. The emphasis in the lessons is on active participation and learning from each other, and, on occasion, visiting speakers. The importance of PTE lies in two main areas. The first is that it augments and supports the distinctive ethos of the College; that we are a community which puts the human being at the centre of all we do, helping to develop values, attitudes and character beyond the main examination subjects. The second is that PTE is the only lesson where the students can meet people outside their chosen subjects, thus allowing them to develop wider relationships, encouraging inclusivity and understanding among our diverse student population.
Notre Dame is not just about gaining qualifications and passing exams. We believe in developing the whole person through the nurture of the virtues to develop ‘good character’. General RE which we call PTE (Philosophy, Theology and Ethics) encourages personal development through social, spiritual and moral growth, and develops important core skills and knowledge which add to the breadth of education. All students work towards their Stella Maris Leadership Award, which was recently described by Ofsted as ‘innovative’ and clearly ‘valued by students for developing their full potential as a member of society.’
At Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College our aim is to offer a ‘World Class Catholic Education’ by providing the best care, support and outcome for each individual student. As a Catholic College we make Christ known to all members of our extended community through the way we work and the way we act. The virtues of faith, hope and love are at the centre of our teaching, support and guidance.
Through the PTE programme, students will be presented with further opportunities to explore and live out their faith. All students are encouraged to engage with social action, working with the community of Leeds and engage in the numerous charities and volunteering opportunities, including the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes - this year over 30 students have volunteered to attend.
AIMS OF THE PTE DEPARTMENT
- To foster the spiritual life of students.
- To accompany and help facilitate their individual faith journey.
- To foster awareness of the value of self and others.
- For those who have a faith, to offer the opportunity to deepen that faith in a supportive and caring environment.
- To encourage the development of critical and analytical skills within our students.
- To provide opportunities for students to consider, evaluate and debate views on a range of religious, philosophical and ethical issues.
- To encourage the development of empathy, tolerance and respect for others, especially those whose beliefs and culture may differ from their own.
- To celebrate the uniqueness of each student.
MAIN DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
- To actively live out the College’s Mission & Ethos
- To support the Head of PTE and have particular responsibility for an area. The precise responsibilities of this role will be agreed following discussion with the successful applicant
- To assist in the leadership and management of the PTE department and the Stella Maris Leadership Award, including the annual Stella Maris Awards event.
- To support the Head of PTE and the College in preparation for a CSI inspection
- To assist in the College’s Catholic Life and Mission, Core RE and Collective Worship to be the highest quality it can be.
- To assist in the continued forging of excellent working relationships with external stakeholders, including the Diocese, Stella Maris partners, partner high schools and others supporting the Bishops Vision for Catholic Education in Leeds.
- To assist in the ensuring outstanding standards of student achievement and attainment within the PTE department
- To assist in the monitoring, tracking and response to qualitative and quantitative data to ensure student attendance, feedback, achievement etc provides evidence of outstanding standards.
- To assist in the continued development of staff within the PTE department.
- To assist in the provision of reports to SLT and other stakeholders where appropriate
- To assist in the regular liaison with SLT, Head of Students, Senior Tutors, Lay Chaplain, Marketing and cross college staff to support a consistent message of PTE and the Stella Maris Leadership Award
- To assist the Head of PTE to coach, develop, motivate and inspire colleagues within the department in line with the College’s Mission and Ethos Statement.
- To assist the Head of PTE to lead the department in the reviewing and updating the department schemes of work to meet current learning needs of students and makes use of the latest guidance from the CES.
- To assist the Head of PTE to lead the department in embracing a varied and effective range of teaching and learning styles appropriate to the post-16 learner through the development of a team culture including the appropriate integration of ILT into programmes of study.
- To assist the Head of PTE in providing a contribution to marketing, admissions, enrolment, and induction processes and procedures, to ensure agreed quality standards are met. This includes interviewing potential students.
- To assist the Head of PTE in leading the curriculum and curriculum development of the department.
- To assist the Head of PTE in producing a designated contribution to the annual departmental SAR (Self Assessment Review), CSED and other key documents.
- To support the rigorous monitoring of targets to maintain quality and further develop quality assurance where appropriate.
- To be a ‘champion of the student’ and to assist the Head of PTE in monitoring and improving student performance in terms of Stella Maris outcomes and retention.
- To assist the Head of PTE to develop and achieve a vibrant, enriching and enjoyable experience for all students within the department.
- To assist the Head of PTE by undertaking specific management of administrative tasks required in the promotion, delivery and assessment of the department’s learning programmes.
- To assist the Head of PTE to lead on and contribute to activities which publicise and promote the work of the department, including assisting in liaison with partner schools, higher education, employer engagement, awarding bodies and other relevant external bodies where appropriate, in order to achieve an effective, proactive and successful working partnership.
- To assist the Head of PTE to support maintaining college retention targets.
- Engagement with and contribution to meetings and training as required by the Head of PTE.
- Ensuring smooth running of the department in the absence of the Head of PTE and assist in staff cover arrangements for other members of the department in the event of their absence
- Assist the Head of PTE in the support and promotion of staff well-being across the department.
- Undertake a full teaching commitment of PTE.
Other:
- To pro-actively assist in the leadership and management of the department and own classes, in the provision of high-quality learning, teaching and assessment in accordance with the duties of main scale teachers and in accordance with the College’s policies.
- To demonstrate a commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons in line with College policy
- To have full regard for the College’s Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety requirements
- To undertake any other duties that may be reasonably assigned by the Principal.
This job description may be subject to revision depending on the future needs of the post and the College. Any changes will be discussed with the post-holder prior to implementation
What we can offer you;
Staff and their welfare are paramount to a successful and happy college.
These are just some of the benefits offered to staff, along with some key facts:
- Free on-site car parking
- Located in the University District of Leeds and close to Leeds City Centre (easily accessible by public or private transport)
- The framework for Ethical Leadership in Education underpins everything we do
- The College has been rated again as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted (March 2022 and September 2024) and is always oversubscribed.
- The West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network which gives 12% discount on Annual Metro Cards
- Cycle to work scheme
- On-site canteen facilities, with a separate Starbucks café
- Feel good lunches - every half term (Different days on rota)
- Training and CPD
- Enhanced sick pay above statutory entitlement
- Enhanced payment for maternity, paternity and adaption leave (subject to qualifying period)
- Flu jab re-imbursement
- Various wellbeing initiatives, some staff led (i.e. yoga, knitting, College choir, Time to talk/ Mental Health and Wellbeing) + support to chosen charity of the year (voted by staff) with money raising initiatives.
- On-site College counsellor (mainly for students but staff can benefit from this or use the services of our EAP*)
- *Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured offers free and confidential advice available 24hrs, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- Various discount platforms offering savings across a broad range of categories, including retail, fitness, well-being, and more (Blue Light, UniDays etc)
- Access to Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) – Teachers only
- West Yorkshire Pensions – Support staff only
- Access to the beautiful chapel with regular services for staff to attend
- End of year College BBQ for staff + Mission and Ethos ' day, Staff Retreat Day
- Lots of celebration and fundraising reasons for cake baking (or just eating!)
The College is committed to Safeguarding and promotes the welfare of young people and expects all staff, students and volunteers to share this commitment.
In promoting equality, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.
This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check under the Protection of Children and Young Persons procedures. If you are selected for interview, you will be required to consent to the necessary enquiries being made.
Completed applications should be returned via TES
Applicants who have not been contacted within four weeks of the closing date should assume that, on this occasion, their application has been unsuccessful.
Closing date: 9am on 22nd January 2026
It is intended that interviews will take place week beginning 26th January 2026
For further details and an application pack please visit:
Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College - Tes Jobs and scroll down to see our live vacancies.
The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.
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