Head of PTE (Philosophy, Theology and Ethics - Core RE)

The College is seeking to appoint a committed Catholic who can support the Principal in the provision of a high-quality Catholic experience for each student and member of staff at Notre Dame. We are looking for someone who is well-qualified, able and enthusiastic. You should have a track record of outstanding success and be committed to equality and diversity. The Head of PTE will also support the Principal in preparation for a CSI inspection.

Catholic Life and PTE at Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College

At Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College we are extremely proud of all our students’ achievements, especially the individual progression that they each make in their time with us. 

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. In the words of St Paul we promote ‘be ambitious for the higher gifts….there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.’

Notre Dame is not just about gaining qualifications and passing exams. We also believe in the importance of encouraging spiritual and moral growth, and developing important core skills and knowledge which add to the breadth of education. In our Catholic college, General RE which we call PTE (Philosophy, Theology and Ethics) is a key part of the core curriculum and all students, in both lower sixth (L6) and upper sixth (U6), are expected to attend a one hour weekly session.

PTE stands for Philosophy, Theology and Ethics. It is an exploration of faith programme that aims to give post-16 students 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 separately from 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 and encouraging inclusivity and understanding among our diverse student population.

Through the PTE programme, students follow our Stella Maris Leadership Award which is based upon the Intellectual, Moral, Civic and Performance Catholic virtues, which are also accessible by all students regardless of faith. Ultimately the aim is for each member of the College community to practise the virtues to become ‘my best self’, to develop good sense or practical wisdom which will help support them to navigate life.

All students have many further opportunities to explore and live out their faith. For example, those who wish to participate, there are opportunities for student retreat and to be part of the Leeds Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, where students care for and befriend sick and vulnerable pilgrims from our area.

The post offers the opportunity for an experienced or aspirational teacher with a track record of outstanding success to make a significant contribution to the future of Notre Dame within a supportive, friendly environment, with a commitment to the personal and academic development of all students.

Further information including the full job description and person spec can be found in the post description (detailed in the Applicant Information pack).

Closing date: 9am on Monday 20 May 2024.

It is intended that interviews will take place week beginning 20 May 2024.

The College is committed to Safeguarding and promotes the welfare of young people and expects all staff, students and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a satisfactory Social Media check.

In promoting equal opportunities, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We would appreciate no speculative enquiries from employment agencies at this stage.