Assistant Head (Teaching, Learning & Digital Strategy)

Assistant Head
(Teaching, Learning &
Digital Strategy)

Information for prospective
members of staff

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Recruitment of an Assistant Head
(Teaching, Learning & Digital Strategy)
for September 2026 (or January 2027
for the right candidate)

St Joseph’s College is seeking to appoint an inspirational and forward-thinking
Assistant Head (Teaching, Learning & Digital Strategy) for September 2026.
This is an exciting opportunity to oversee quality assurance and improvement
of teaching across the College.

This is a full-time position and the post holder will report to the College
Deputy Head (Senior) and College Deputy Head (Prep).

Closing Date: 9am, 15 April 2026

Early application is encouraged. In order to accommodate candidate notice
periods, applications will be reviewed upon receipt and we reserve the right
to close the vacancy early.

Contents
Message from the Head
Purpose of the Job
Duties and Responsibilities
Person Specification
About the College
Our Missions and Aims
Why St Joseph’s?
Appointment Procedure
Interview Process
How To Find Us

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Message from the Head,
Mrs Laura Stotesbury

Thank you for your interest in St Joseph’s College.
I am delighted that you are considering our school
and I trust that this recruitment pack will provide
you with the information you require both about
the post and the College.

I believe that this is an exciting time to be joining St Joseph’s College. There
has been a significant growth in the pupil roll over the last few years and
the governors are continually looking to invest in the facilities. There is a real
appetite for what we have to offer as both an educational establishment and
an employer.

The College seeks to be a school which places an emphasis on providing
an all-round education: academic, pastoral, social and spiritual, where
pupils develop the attributes of commitment, collaboration, confidence,
communication and compassion through the various aspects of school life.
The College is a very happy place, and colleagues enjoy teaching here.

I hope that you will want to apply for this post. I recognise that much time
and thought goes into preparing an application and we, in turn, will give your
application serious consideration.

Mrs Laura Stotesbury
Head

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Purpose of the Job:

The Assistant Head (Teaching, Learning & Digital Strategy) plays a central and prominent role in the life of St
Joseph’s College, taking responsibility for the quality assurance and improvement of all teaching and learning
across the whole College, including the training and induction of Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and SCITT staff.

The postholder leads the College’s thinking on the future of education, champions a culture of reflective practice
and professional development, and takes the lead in shaping and delivering the College’s Digital Teaching and
Learning Strategy — including the College’s approach to artificial intelligence in education.

They are a member of the Senior Leadership Team, together with the Head, College Deputy Head (Senior),
College Deputy Head (Prep), the Bursar and the other Assistant Heads: Curriculum & Tracking and Wellbeing,
Community & Behaviour.

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Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Head (Teaching, Learning & Digital Strategy) are numerous and varied, and include
the following:

1.  Strategic Management
•  To be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and, as such, to participate in all areas of policy development and the

strategic management of the College.

•  To attend all meetings as may be required by Governors and/or the Head.
•  To ensure that the aims of the College are put into practice.
•  To have an ongoing familiarity with recent research and educational literature, and to maintain an active awareness of

developments in teaching and learning, both nationally and internationally.

•  To lead the College’s discussions on matters relating to the future of education - including curriculum innovation,

pedagogical developments and emerging technologies.

•  To raise the profile of teaching and learning across the College and to specifically address any areas of development

identified by external agencies such as ISI.

•  To advise the Head and SLT on national changes in external examinations and how best to respond to them.
•  To advise the Head and SLT on the viability of subjects within the curriculum, drawing on national trends in teacher

recruitment and pupil uptake.

•  To develop a culture of reflective practice across the College, in both staff and pupils.
•  To forge and maintain links with the University of Reading’s School of Education to support the recruitment and

retention of high-quality teaching staff.

2.  Digital Teaching and Learning Strategy

The Digital Strategy is a key deliverable of this post. The postholder will be expected to produce a
written, Governor-approved strategy within their first year, with a clear multi-year delivery plan.

•  To lead the development and implementation of the College’s Digital Teaching and Learning Strategy, ensuring that it is

evidence-led, pedagogically sound and fit for the specific context of St Joseph’s College.

•  To develop the College’s policy and approach to artificial intelligence in education - covering pupil use, academic

integrity, staff use for planning and feedback, and AI literacy as part of the curriculum.

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Duties and Responsibilities cont.

•  To advise on the College’s device model, considering the relative merits of different approaches (shared devices,

BYOD, selective deployment) and making evidence-based recommendations.

•  To design and deliver a digital CPD programme for staff, building confidence and competence in the meaningful use of

technology in the classroom.

•  To work with the Head of IT Strategy to ensure that the digital infrastructure of the College supports the pedagogical

ambitions of the strategy.

3.  Inspection Readiness

•  To stay up to date with the ISI inspection framework and to lead the College’s ongoing self-evaluation against the

Recommended Next Steps identified in previous inspection reports.

•  To work directly with the Head in preparing for and supporting the College through the inspection process.
•  To ensure that the College’s teaching and learning provision is, at all times, inspection-ready - and that this is a

condition of the culture rather than a response to imminent inspection.

4.  Quality Assurance of Teaching and Learning

4a.  Observation and Monitoring
•  To lead, with the support of the College Deputy Heads, all procedures for the quality assurance of teaching and

learning, including learning walks, work scrutiny and lesson observations.

•  To consider the shape, frequency and style of lesson observations in the College, bringing a greater sense of

collaboration, coaching and professional enquiry to the process.

•  To lead the monitoring of the quality of teaching and learning and academic work at all levels, across both the Senior

and Prep Schools.

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Duties and Responsibilities cont.

4b.  Policy and Standards
•  To lead on the development and regular review of the College’s Teaching and Learning Policy, in conjunction with the

College Deputy Heads.

•  To be involved in how the College best assesses and feeds back on pupils’ work, and to lead the construction of the

College’s Assessment and Feedback Policy.

5.  Academic Management
•  To lead and oversee teaching and learning at the College, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience for all

pupils.

•  To initiate, plan, implement and review teaching and learning developments across the College, including the provision

of regular CPD for staff.

•  To work with the Assistant Head (Curriculum & Tracking) to plan the schedule for internal assessment across the

College, encouraging pupils to be fully aware of their progress and next steps for improvement.

•  To help the Head of External Relations and Marketing team to collate information about the nature and quality of

teaching and learning at the College.

•  To work with the Director of Enrichment and Extension to ensure that the most stretching aspects of the co-

curricular and extension programme are reflected in high expectations within the classroom.

6.  Leading and Supporting Staff
6a.  Induction, ECTs and New Staff
•  To be the primary point of contact for ISTiP and to take responsibility for the monitoring, support and induction of
all ECTs and PGCE students at the College, as well as supporting all those who are new to teaching or who require
additional help.

•  To play a key role in the induction programme for all new staff, particularly with regard to teaching and learning

expectations, the College’s pedagogical culture and behaviour management.

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Duties and Responsibilities cont.

6b.  CPD and Professional Development
•  To assist the College Deputy Heads in managing the administration and budget for continuous professional development of

teaching staff.

•  To co-ordinate cross-curricular teaching developments and facilitate risk-taking initiatives and research projects by teaching

staff, including the supervision of those undertaking externally funded research projects for SLT or Governors.

6c.  Leading Heads of Department
•  To line manage assigned Heads of Department, providing regular support, challenge and direction.
•  To line manage the Librarian and to have oversight of the library as a space for independent study, research and reading for

pleasure.

6d.  Capability and Performance Management
•  To lead any teaching and learning interventions required where there are concerns about the capability of a member of

teaching staff.

7.  Leading Pupils
•  To play the leading role in ensuring the highest academic standards from pupils and staff across the College.
•  To play a prominent role in promoting and maintaining standards of pupil work and academic habits across the College.
•  To respond to and resolve parental concerns and complaints relating specifically to teaching and learning, as appropriate.

8.  Event Organisation
•  To work with Heads of Year and the relevant College Deputy Heads to arrange Parent Information Evenings on teaching

and learning matters, including revision, homework and digital learning.

9.  Day-to-Day Management
•  To work in conjunction with the other members of SLT to ensure the smooth running of the College.
•

In conjunction with other members of SLT, to share responsibility for maintaining a presence at College-related events,
positively promoting the College and fostering links between the Prep and Senior Schools.

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Duties and Responsibilities cont.

10.  Administrative Responsibilities

•  To assist with the compilation of the staff handbook.
•  To assist with the compilation of the parent handbook.
•  To assist with the compilation of student planners.

11.  Teaching Commitment

The Assistant Head (Teaching, Learning & Digital Strategy) is expected to teach a reduced timetable and is therefore
required to fulfil all of the responsibilities set out in the College’s Teacher Job Description in addition to those above.

This job description is not exhaustive and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties as reasonably
requested by the Head. The role will be reviewed annually as part of the College’s performance management cycle.

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Person Specification

Criteria

Essential

Education,
Qualifications
and Experience

Skills and
Attributes

Personal
Qualities

Degree

Proven record of successful teaching

Up-to-date knowledge of the curriculum and current educational developments

Commitment to continual professional development

Excellent subject knowledge
Passion for developing the subject
Good communication and inter-personal skills
Good classroom management skills
Empathy with pupils across the age and ability range
Ability to employ a range of effective teaching, learning styles and assessment methods
Ability to motivate and inspire pupils
Capacity to deal sensitively with problems raised by pupils
High expectations of pupils
Vision and clear thinking
Passion for teaching
Excellent role model for pupils
Enthusiastic and able to enthuse and encourage others
Ability to establish good working relationships and work well in a team
Flexible, motivated, able to work unsupervised and an ability to deal with unpredictable
situations

Other
Requirements

Fully supportive of the College’s Catholic tradition
Commitment to the ethos of the College
Willingness to contribute to extra-curricular activities
Commitment to safeguarding and well-being of all pupils

Desirable

A recognised teaching qualification, such as a PGCE

Qualified Teacher Status

Evidence of involvement in relevant professional development
Experience of successful ‘innovative practice’ in teaching

Experience of the role of tutoring for a group of pupils

Innovative approaches to curriculum delivery

Ability to generate ideas and drive initiatives

Ability to defuse difficult situations using different strategies such as careful listening,
sensitive use of humour, praise and recognition

Forward-thinking approach

Commitment to the whole life of the College

Able to promote the image of the College through an articulate and confident
approach

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About the College

St Joseph’s College is the leading independent day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 in Berkshire. It is fully
co-educational and consists of the Senior School (ages 11 to 18) and the Prep School (ages 3 to 11). The Senior School
and Prep School are located within a single campus.

Awards
The College has won several awards over the last few years including TES Independent School of the Year, Outstanding
Progress at the Education Business Awards and Outstanding Leadership Team at the Leadership Awards.

Ethos
St Joseph’s is a Catholic school welcoming pupils of every faith or no faith. Pupils are educated in an atmosphere where
Christian values and standards are recognised and established. The size of our classes means everyone receives the
individual guidance and support they need to achieve their potential. Staff, pupils and parents form strong links, with a
focus on both the academic progress and the well-being of each pupil.  We encourage all pupils to develop an awareness
of their own role in society.

Points of Entry
The main points of entry to the school are at age 3, 11, 13 and 16. Entry into the Senior School is by formal assessment,
and around 60% of applicants to the Senior School are from maintained primary schools.

Leavers’ Destinations
The majority of Sixth Form leavers go on to their choice of university to study a diverse range of subjects. Examination
results are strong and improving year-on-year, however our focus is very much on producing young adults who also have
skills for life such as confidence, social skills and a good understanding of the world around them.

Recent Developments
During the past six years the Governors have taken a number of measures to develop the College. In addition to
becoming co-educational these include an emphasis on marketing and a substantial investment in facilities, buildings and
staff. Consistently rising pupil numbers provide momentum for growth and the confidence to make further investment.

The Future
Looking to the future, St Joseph’s will continue its ambitious plans to enhance and develop the College. However, we will
ensure that as we grow, our caring ethos remains at the heart of the College. The warm and friendly nature, together
with the way pupils display concern and respect for one another, are often commented upon by visitors and parents. We
are proud of this and it is one of the most rewarding aspects of working here.

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At St Joseph’s, our mission is to encourage, inspire, challenge and support pupils to fulfill their potential in a community founded on Catholic Christian values.

We aim to develop life skills of compassion, commitment, collaboration, confidence and communication in each pupil, throughout each of their years at the school.

Our Mission and Aims

The College’s ISI inspection took place in November 2025

The recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate provided a positive evaluation of provision
across all areas of school life. The report highlights strong academic outcomes, high-quality pastoral support
and a rich co-curricular offer. Inspectors noted that the ethos and values of St Joseph’s College are clearly
reflected in pupils’ daily experiences, fostering an environment built on inclusivity, respect and compassion.

The report recognises the commitment of staff across the College, whose work enables pupils to thrive
both within and beyond the classroom. Their dedication supports pupils’ personal development, academic
progress  and  engagement  with  the  wider  life  of  the  school.  The  contribution  of  Governors  is  also
acknowledged, particularly in providing consistent oversight and strategic guidance.

Inspectors  noted  the  positive  involvement  of  parents  and  pupils,  whose  views  contributed  meaningfully
to the overall findings. Feedback shared during the inspection reflected strong levels of confidence in the
school’s direction, culture and support systems.

As part of their process, the inspection team outlined recommended areas for continued improvement.
These include developing a comprehensive digital strategy and further enhancing the use of data to inform
classroom planning. Both priorities are already incorporated into the College’s Vision 2030 strategic plan,
ensuring they are actively being progressed.

Overall, the inspection report presents an encouraging and accurate reflection of the work undertaken
at St Joseph’s College to support every pupil in achieving their best. Consistently high outcomes at GCSE
and A level, alongside strong university offer rates, further demonstrate the effectiveness of the school’s
approach to teaching, learning and holistic development.

ALL AREAS WERE ‘MET’

The Independent Schools Inspectorate is appointed by the Department of Education to
inspect independent schools in England. The inspectors report on the extent to which the
statutory Independent School Standards and other applicable regulatory requirements
are met, collectively referred to in this reports as ‘the Standards’.

Schools are expected to meet the robust standards in each of the sections listed below:

S E C T I O N

S E C T I O N

S E C T I O N

S E C T I O N

S E C T I O N

1

2

3

4

Leadership and
Management, and
Governance

Quality of
Education, Training
and Recreation

Pupils’ Physical
and Mental Health
and Emotional
Wellbeing

Pupils’ Social and
Economic Education
and Contribution
to Society

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Safeguarding

ALL STANDARDS
‘MET’

ALL STANDARDS
‘MET’

ALL STANDARDS
‘MET’

ALL STANDARDS
‘MET’

ALL STANDARDS
‘MET’

St Joseph’s ISI inspection in November 2025 found that all standards in all
areas were ‘met’.

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Why St Joseph’s?

Education for boys and girls from age 3 to 18

At St Joseph’s we offer:
•  A safe and happy environment in which academic and social skills are developed
•
•  A varied curriculum and excellent facilities
•  A strong sense of community
•  High academic reputation
•  Wide range of extra-curricular activities including a strong tradition of music and drama

St Joseph’s is staffed by teachers who combine the best in traditional educational values with a sharp awareness of what is
appropriate for pupils who need to be prepared for the twenty-first century. Our pupils are encouraged to be confident,
questioning, independent learners, whilst at the same time developing a moral and spiritual sense of purpose in their lives
and in their studies.

Salary
The College has its own salary scales, with starting salaries dependent on the experience and qualifications of the
successful candidates. Salary scales are reviewed annually by the Governors, to ensure they remain competitive. Annual
salary is paid by bank transfer on the last working day of each month, in 12 equal monthly instalments.

Non-contractual benefits

School fee reduction
Staff at St Joseph’s College (who are not employed on casual contracts) are eligible for a staff discount on basic tuition
fees of 50% for full-time staff, pro rata for part-time staff, subject to their child(ren) meeting the entrance requirements.

Childcare vouchers
St Joseph’s participates in the government’s salary sacrifice childcare voucher scheme or government tax-free childcare
scheme.

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Staff Room
There is a professional, friendly and supportive Staff Room,
together with departmental workspaces throughout the school.

The above non-contractual benefits are currently available to
staff. They are at the discretion of the Governors who reserve
the right to withdraw them without notice.

Pension
The College pays its teachers a total remuneration package
which provides teachers with flexibility in determining the level
of contributions paid into their pension. This provides staff with
the option to increase their take home salary by reducing their
total pension contribution (employer and employee) or vice
versa.

All teachers are automatically enrolled into the College defined
contribution pension scheme – the Aviva Pension Trust for
Independent Schools (APTIS).

The pension scheme includes:
• Employer contributions matched to Employee contributions.
The limiting factors are simply the individuals’ salary and
statutory limits. Contributions can be varied annually by staff to
meet changing circumstances as required.
• An Employee Assistance Programme provided by Care First.

Further literature on the APTIS scheme, together with
examples about how the level of pension contribution can be
varied, is available from the Bursar.

Drinks and snacks
Tea, coffee and biscuits are available to all staff at break time,
and there is access to hot drinks throughout the day. Snacks
and light meals are provided to staff when working later in the
evening for school events.

Lunch
A duty meal may be obtained from the Dining Hall.

Laptop
Teaching staff are loaned a school laptop to assist with their
teaching and administration, and docking stations are available
throughout the school.

Use of a private vehicle
Subject to a journey being approved by the Bursar or Head,
staff can use their private vehicle for school journeys during
working hours. The insurance will be under the school’s
insurance and staff can claim for mileage.

Car parking
All staff may park in the school car park, subject to the
availability of a space. A valid school parking permit must be
displayed clearly on the windscreen of any car parked onsite.

Counselling
Staff have access to a 24 hour telephone counselling helpline.
In addition, the lay chaplain or visiting school counsellor may be
able to see staff.

Legal advice
Staff have access to a 24 hour legal information telephone
helpline, covering issues such as consumer rights, debt, tax and
personal injury.

Healthcare helpline
A telephone based healthcare support service is available to all
staff at no cost.

Swimming pool
Staff are permitted to use the school swimming pool during
designated staff swimming sessions.

CPD and training
Professional development is nurtured and encouraged. The school
has a full annual INSET programme and staff have access to
the National College Platform. There is strong support for new
teaching staff. Early Career Teachers can undertake their accredited
ECT years through the Independent Schools Teacher Induction
Panel and a number of members of staff have completed teaching
qualifications whilst employed at St Joseph’s.

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Appointment Procedure

•  Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the College

Application Form in full, accompanied by a covering letter.

•  The covering letter should illustrate specifically why you think you should be

considered for this role, giving clear evidence of how your skills and experience
meet the requirements of the role. You should give clear examples, and relate
these to the job description and person specification.

•  These should be emailed to recruitment@sjcr.org.uk or alternatively sent by post
to Mrs Guest, HR & Recruitment Officer, St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands
Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 5JT. Electronic application is encouraged and
preferred.

•  Closing Date: 9am, 15 April 2026. Applications will be reviewed upon

receipt and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early, so early application is
encouraged.

•  All offers of employment are subject to the receipt of two satisfactory

references, one of which must be from your current or most recent employer.
For shortlisted applicants for teaching posts, references may be taken up prior to
interview.

•  St Joseph’s College employs personnel who are best qualified for the post

without discrimination in respect of age, disability, race, gender or native origin.
•  The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

•  Successful applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks

with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

•  A copy of the College Recruitment, Selection and Disclosures Policy and
Procedures can be found on the College website: https://www.sjcr.org.uk/
vacancies/

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Interview Process

•  All candidates invited to interview must bring documents confirming any educational and professional qualifications that are necessary or relevant for the post (e.g. the original or

certified copy of certificates, diplomas etc). Where originals or certified copies are not available for the successful candidate, written confirmation of the relevant qualifications must
be obtained by the candidate from the awarding body.

•  During your visit you should expect to attend a number of interviews with different members of staff. We will also assess your suitability to work with children.

•  You will also be required to teach a lesson which will be observed. You will be provided with a brief for the lesson beforehand.

•  In addition to formal interviews there will also be an opportunity for shortlisted candidates to tour the College and to meet prospective colleagues.

•  The College requests that all candidates invited to interview also bring with them:

•  A current driving licence including a photograph, a passport and a birth certificate
•  A utility bill or financial statement issued within the last three months showing the candidate’s current name and address
•  Where appropriate any documentation evidencing a change of name
•  Proof of entitlement to work and reside in the UK

Please note that originals of the above are necessary. Photocopies or certified copies are not sufficient.

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How to find us

•  St Joseph’s College is situated in central Reading, near the University
and the Royal Berkshire Hospital. It is close to the M4 (Junction 11)
and has excellent transport links.

•  If travelling by train, the school is approximately 20 minutes’ walk
from Reading Station, or alternatively there are a number of local
buses that stop close by.

•  To accurately locate the College entrance at 64 Upper Redlands

Road on some GPS satellite navigation systems it may be necessary
to use the postcode RG1 5JP.

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