Headteacher Wardour Catholic Primary School

Salary: L6 L12 (58569 - 67898 per annum)

Hours: Full time

Contract: Permanent

A bit about us:

We are very pleased that you are considering applying to lead one of the longest established Catholic primary schools in the country.

Catholic education has been provided at Wardour for centuries with the present school built in the mid-Victorian period set in extensive grounds including a playing field and forest school. The school maintains close ties with the local Catholic parish of Tisbury and All Saints Wardour with children regularly attending Chapel services at New Wardour Castle.

Our original building has been refurbished and added to and is a beautiful and fit for purpose environment for the wellbeing of the children and staff. The school is in the Cranborne National Landscape and International Dark Skies is owned by the Wardour Chapel Trust and close to New and Old Wardour Castles. Our exceptional setting is used to enrich the educational experience of the children as well as being a beautiful place to work.

The school collaborates with the local primary schools in our southwest Wiltshire Nadder Hub and the Emmaus Partnership of Catholic schools. The children actively engage in many sporting cultural and educational activities in the local area and have a very rich education beyond the well-embedded curriculum. Educational outcomes are high and the school has an enviable reputation with an increasing number on roll which is now close to our capacity of 105 children in four classes. The Catholic ethos pervades the school.

All about the role:

We are looking to appoint an inspirational Head to support the pupils to grow spiritually emotionally and educationally in a calm organised and inclusive environment.

You will be a practicing Catholic.

You will be an effective leader of a passionate and dedicated staff providing opportunities for them to grow professionally.

You will put our children first prioritise our Catholic ethos build on our traditions maintain our standards and lead our staff to provide a rich and inclusive school experience.

You will need to meet future challenges willingly embrace change and work collaboratively.

You will be well supported by experienced and enthusiastic staff Governors parents volunteers Wiltshire Local Authority and Clifton Diocese.

You will be committed to follow Bishop Bosco MacDonalds vision to engage with and lead the school to join the Dunstan Catholic Education Trust in the Diocese of Clifton whilst preserving the unique context of Wardour Catholic Primary School.

There is a small teaching element to the role (one day a week)

Find out more and apply:

The Governors have put together a recruitment pack with more details about our school the job description and person school website () includes weekly newsletters in the parents section which give a good flavour of our school.

Headteacher recruitment pack

To apply please download the application form and click the apply now button below to upload your completed application form and covering letter online. Please note: CVs will not be considered.

Application form guidance notes

If you would like to visit the school please contact our school business manager Mrs Caroline Robson on .

Applications must be made using the Application form for Catholic Schools from the Catholic Education Service.

Closing date (and time): Tuesday 5th May 2026 by 4 pm

Interview date:Monday 18th May 2026 and Tuesday 19th May 2026

Commencement date:Tuesday 1st September 2026

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All applicants will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check before appointment is confirmed.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must disclose all spent and unspent convictions cautions reprimands and warnings that are not protected under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 & 2020). An enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful applicant.