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Curriculum Leader - Religious Education
Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 7AE51 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
13 April 2026 at 12:59am
Date listed
12 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- MPS/UPS + TLR 1D
Additional allowances
MPS/UPS + TLR 1D
Curriculum Leader - Religious Education job summary
Curriculum Leader - Religious Education
Candidates must be a practising Catholic to take on this position.
TLR 1D
Cardinal Newman School Luton
From September 2026
Our passion is to see students achieve the best that is possible, inspired by great teaching and great leaders. Cardinal Newman School is an 11-19 comprehensive school with Specialist Science Status, serving the Roman Catholic community in Luton and Dunstable. We are one of the most successful schools in Luton and have a thriving 6th form with 300 students. We have been consistently described by Ofsted as a ‘good’ school and under Section 48 as an ‘outstanding Catholic school’.
We seek to appoint for September 2026 or earlier, if possible, a practising Catholic who is a dynamic and an inspirational Head of Religious Education (RE) to lead an ‘outstanding’ RE Department (Section 48 inspection June 2022). We are looking to appoint a dynamic and inspiring teacher, with responsibility for monitoring, supporting and tracking the welfare and progress of our students across the Key Stages in Religious Education.
As a Catholic school, RE is a Core department; all pupils study RE at KS3, KS4, KS5 (all pupils study Core RE) and we offer A-Level Religious Studies. We welcome applications from candidates currently in similar roles or aspiring Middle and Senior Leaders. The successful candidate will benefit from the support and line management of the Deputy Headteacher.
Our ideal candidate will be:
- Be a practicing Catholic (The Head of the RE Department is a reserved role in a Catholic school).
- An outstanding classroom practitioner with a proven track record of excellent results and a compelling vision for improvement.
- Be committed to working in pursuit of success for pupils and of raising standards.
- A team player, able to lead and inspire colleagues and pupils alike.
- Ability to teach to A-level.
- Be an advocate to the aims, ethos and values of the school.
- Be able to build on a highly effective curriculum.
What we offer you:
Excellent CPD opportunities to grow and develop, including Middle Leader training and aspiring SLT programme.
- An Ofsted rated ‘good’ school.
- A section 48 rated 'outstanding' school.
- Well-resourced RE teaching base.
- A commitment to staff well-being.
- A two week October half term
- Part of a dynamic and supportive Catholic Trust
- A strong community spirit; staff who are very supportive towards each other with a great camaraderie existing throughout the school.
The successful applicant will be joining a school that has the development of all our members, staff and pupils alike, at the heart of our mission.
Our leadership team is committed to the professional and personal development of our teachers, and we actively look for ways to make sure that work-life balance is a reality.
The successful applicant will be joining a highly organised, committed, energetic and well-equipped department in a school that has the development of all our members, staff and pupils alike, at the heart of our mission.
If you are an enthusiastic, creative, well-organised professional who wants to develop your craft in a school where human flourishing is at the heart of what we do, we would love to hear from you.
Candidates may contact the school, in confidence, for an informal chat. School visits are also very welcome.
Closing Date: Sunday 12 April 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, prohibition order check and the Disclosing & Barring Service.
Roman Catholic School in the Diocese of Northampton
‘Together towards our Lord through learning, love and faith’
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Safeguarding at Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Cardinal Newman Catholic School School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. Our school policies for Child Protection and Safeguarding can be found on the Safeguarding page of our website.
As a school we ensure that we are compliant with all legislative and statutory guidance, most notably:
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Working together to safeguard children
The PREVENT duty
Staff training
All of our staff complete accredited level one safeguarding training online. Our safeguarding team have all completed level three training.
All staff also receive regular updates and training.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College
- School type
- Academy, Roman Catholic, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1641 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
The school is founded on the Christian values expressed in the gospels: peace, truth, justice and love. These values underpin everything we do within the school and they unite us as a Christian community. We view each person as special and unique and our highly professional staff is dedicated to ensuring that every pupil fulfils their God given potential. Cardinal Newman Catholic School is a truly inclusive community and we celebrate our pupils’ achievements, together with providing outstanding pastoral support.
Christ is at the centre of all we do, which is reflected in our mission statement "Together towards our Lord, through learning, love and faith". The life and school journey that we are all on is rooted in Christ and this permeates all that we do. The cornerstone of our high achievements is a dedicated and hardworking staff who are proud to work here. Our staff want to do their best for all our children and strive for excellence in everything they do.
School location
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