St Nicholas Catholic High School is a mixed catholic secondary school and sixth form for pupils aged 11-18. It is located in Northwich, Cheshire, and caters for approximately 1,250 pupils.

The school opened as a secondary modern in 1965, becoming a comprehensive school in 1972. It is a voluntary-aided school.

Values and vision

As a Catholic School, Gospel values permeate all the work undertaken in St Nicholas Catholic High School.  As a Christian community, the school strives to uphold strong spiritual and moral values, both in and outside the classroom. St Nicholas school is based on very clear aims and foundational principles; we aspire to live, learn and work together in the way exemplified to us by the life of Jesus Christ. Our declared mission is to let our God-given talents shine and to embrace the Gospel and its teachings.

“St Nicholas Catholic High is an Ofsted rated good school. There has been a rising trend of attainment since the previous inspection and data provided by the school on current performance suggest that this has not only been sustained but, indeed, improved upon. 

“Learning and progress are good for most groups across the school, including for those students with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Students' achievement is therefore outstanding.”

Student Safeguarding and Welfare Officer

Starting April 23

Full time - 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year

Monday to Thursday, 8am – 4pm, Friday 8am –3.30pm

Grade 8 (£30,151- £34,723 per annum pro-rated)

The governors of St Nicholas Catholic High School are looking to appoint an experienced and

committed professional to join our Safeguarding Team.  

Under the direction of the Designated Safeguarding Lead this post will work closely with parents, carers and school staff to enhance the support available to or most vulnerable students to ensure that they overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential.  The successful candidate will possess resilience, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a range of colleagues and multi agencies to safeguard our student’s welfare.  The role will include acting as the deputy safeguarding lead (DSL) and representing the school at Child Protection and safeguarding meetings. They will also need to plan and deliver programmes of support to further student safety and wellbeing.  Previous experience of working with children and young people is essential, ideally in a similar role within an education setting. 

Please refer to the attached job description and people specification, also available from our school website https://st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk/

Closing date: 9am on Monday 20 March 2023

Our school is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Please refer to the school’s safeguarding policy on the school website here  https://st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Child-Protection-Safeguarding-Policy-2022.pdf

As a result, we would like to draw the following safe recruitment checks to your attention:

1. All appointments are made subject to:

• An enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check
• Checks of professional status where applicable.
• Confirmation of professional qualifications, where applicable.
• Receipt of suitable references (if not received by the time of interview); and
• Medical clearance
• Online vetting check

1. We only accept applications completed on the Catholic Education Service Application Form with a covering letter. Please do not send CVs or open testimonials.

Please ensure that the application form is completed in full. In particular, you must ensure that a full work history is provided and that any gaps in your employment are fully explained.

1. The referees cited in your application form must include your current or most recent employer. If your last employment was in a school, we would expect a reference from the Headteacher and/or Deputy/Assistant Headteacher.
2. When seeking references, we will request information about your suitability to work with children.
3. If you are shortlisted, an online vetting check of your name will be completed from information publicly available online. This information will be passed to the interviewing panel for consideration and discussion during interview including any anomalies in the application form, where applicable.

Procedure for Application:

If you wish to be considered for this vacancy please complete the application form, including names and addresses of two referees, and submit a concise letter of application. This should include the following information:

1. A brief outline of what you have achieved in your present post
2. A statement about why you want this job.
3. An indication of the strengths and expertise you could offer the school.

All points should address the detail in the person specification and other points made within the information sent to candidates.

Completed applications should be returned to the HR & Admissions Officer, Mrs Dawn Poole at d.poole@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk to arrive no later than 9am on Monday 20 March 2023.

Interviews are planned to take place w/c 20 March 2023 following selection.

Please note that we are happy to arrange risk-assessed visits of school for prospective candidates before short-listing has taken place. Also if you wish to have an informal discussion about the post in advance of your application, or if you require any further details, please contact Mrs Dawn Poole  d.poole@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk