Bosco CET seeks a mission driven Head of People and Culture to lead our Trust wide people agenda rooted in faith, excellence and service.
Bosco Catholic Education Trust is recruiting a Head of People and Culture to lead and shape a Trust‑wide people agenda rooted in Catholic mission, educational excellence and a culture where every colleague is known, valued and supported. Working directly with the CEO and senior leaders, this role will ensure our staff flourish professionally, spiritually and personally.
We are looking for a strategic, values‑led leader who understands that people are central to our mission and who can build systems, culture and capability across a growing family of schools. If you are motivated by service, collaboration and developing others, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Who we are
Bosco Catholic Education Trust is a diocesan multi‑academy trust serving Catholic schools across West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. Formed in 2017, we currently comprise 18 ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ schools, with four more preparing to join. Our mission is simple: to provide an outstanding Catholic education rooted in faith, hope, love, service, integrity and excellence.
We work collaboratively across phases, guided by Gospel values and inspired by the educational vision of St John Bosco, ensuring every child is “known and loved.” Our staff are our greatest asset and our people strategy is fundamental to building a flourishing, values‑driven workforce.
About the role
The Head of People and Culture is a central leadership role within Bosco Catholic Education Trust, one that sits at the intersection of mission, culture, organisational development and the lived experience of every colleague across our family of schools.
This is a role for someone who understands that people are not simply a resource but the heart of our mission and that the way we support, develop and care for our staff directly shapes the education and formation we provide to our young people.
As Head of People and Culture, you will lead the Trust’s entire people agenda, bringing coherence, clarity and ambition to how we attract, develop, retain and support our staff.
You will work closely with the CEO, Headteachers, governors and the wider executive team to build a culture rooted in dignity, service, Gospel values and professional excellence.
This means shaping a people strategy that is not only operationally strong but spiritually and ethically aligned with Catholic education, ensuring that every colleague feels known, valued and supported, in the spirit of St John Bosco’s belief that young people must be “known and loved.”
Your work will span strategic workforce planning, leadership development, organisational design, well-being, inclusion and the consistent application of HR practice across all schools. You will lead the development of leadership pathways and succession planning, ensuring that current and future leaders are nurtured, encouraged and equipped to serve their communities with humility and purpose. You will champion staff well-being, embedding practices that support balance, belonging and professional growth and ensuring that our culture reflects kindness, hope and integrity.
This role also carries significant responsibility for organisational development. You will ensure that policies, systems and behaviours are consistent, efficient and aligned with both statutory requirements and the distinctive ethos of Catholic education. You will guide leaders through change, support Headteachers with complex workforce matters and ensure that employment practices reflect fairness, justice and the highest safeguarding standards.
You will also play a key role in strengthening relationships across the Trust: with unions, with school leaders, with central team colleagues and with the Diocese. Your leadership will help build trust, encourage collaboration and ensure that staff experience is positive, consistent and rooted in our shared mission.
Your collaborative leadership will influence how colleagues feel about their work, how leaders grow, how culture is lived and how the Trust continues to flourish. You will help create an environment where staff thrive, schools feel supported and the Trust grows with confidence, compassion and clarity of purpose; ensuring that every child, every colleague and every community is known, loved and enabled to flourish.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking a senior HR or People leader with the strategic capability, emotional intelligence and values‑driven mindset to shape a Trust‑wide people strategy. We remain open to your sector background and see this role being suited to someone who cares deeply about transforming the lives of learners and staff through developing a high-performing people function. You will bring significant experience in HR, organisational development or people leadership, ideally across multiple sites, and be confident advising senior leaders and Boards.
We are looking for someone who can:
- Develop and implement people strategies that strengthen culture and capability.
- Lead organisational change, workforce planning and leadership development.
- Manage complex employee relations with fairness and clarity.
- Build constructive relationships with unions and staff bodies.
- Use workforce data to identify trends, mitigate risks and improve performance.
- Champion well-being, inclusion and Catholic values in all people practices.
You will be an outstanding communicator, able to inspire trust, build relationships and model servant leadership. A commitment to staff well-being, professional growth and the Catholic ethos is essential. MCIPD or equivalent is strongly preferred.
Bosco CET actively encourages informal conversations and site visits. Should you be interested in this, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners for more information.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Kellie Gordon | kellie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07506 742056
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
Welcome from the CEO
Dear Candidate,
Bosco Catholic Education Trust is seeking an exceptional and mission-driven leader to become our new Head of People and Culture.
This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead the people strategy of a Catholic family of schools committed to providing outstanding education rooted in faith, excellence and service. Our staff are our greatest asset. Through their dedication, expertise and witness, they help young people grow academically, spiritually and personally.
Reporting directly to me and working closely with Headteachers, governors and the wider executive team, you will play a central role in ensuring that Bosco Catholic Education Trust is a place where colleagues flourish, talents are nurtured and leadership is developed for the future.
We are looking for a leader who understands that people are at the heart of our mission and who is committed to promoting a culture founded on dignity, respect, professional excellence and Gospel values.
You will certainly need great interpersonal skills for this role, have a positive mindset and a ’can do’ attitude! We are blessed with a great central team and Trust Board. It is an exciting time for the Trust as we continue to grow and develop our central HR function. We’d love to have you onboard for the next chapter!
For us, finding the right person isn’t just about their experience and qualifications. We are looking for someone who really buys into our ethos and is a great people-person with high levels of emotional intelligence.
The schools in Bosco CET are all vibrant, diverse and welcoming communities. They share a common ethos and expectation, setting high standards and never settling for second-best. Your role as Head of People and Culture is crucial in helping these schools and the Trust to realise their potential.
We believe it is imperative to invest in our staff and cherish their work. This would apply to you too. So, if you think this challenging but rewarding position is the job for you, please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
David Carter
CEO, Bosco CET
About us
A Diocesan Trust for Catholic schools across Sussex
Working across three local authorities, the Bosco Catholic Education Trust was formed in April 2017 to serve all 34 schools across West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.
There are currently 18 schools (three Secondary and 15 Primary) within the Trust, all judged as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’. There are a further four schools in the process of joining in the next 12 months. This is an exciting time to be at the heart of the Trust and the impact of the work you undertake will be profound.
The Trust exists to serve the schools, not the other way around. We feel fortunate to work with such a great group of Headteachers who, without exception, are very positive about collaboration and working within the Trust family of schools. We also have a strong Board of Trustees and enjoy a very good relationship with the Diocese.
Staff are our greatest asset and so our people strategy is fundamental to the future success of the Trust, ensuring our staff are well supported, known and loved.
If you already work in a Catholic school, then you will know they are very special places to be. Our faith is central to all we do. If you have never worked in a Catholic school or educational environment, please don’t be put off — you’ll be given a great welcome and find yourself in an environment which is exceptionally fulfilling.
Learn more about us
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification and click here to apply.
Before you apply: The online application above includes your career history, qualifications and a space for a supporting statement (ideally no more than two A4 pages). The statement is your opportunity to explain why you believe you’re a good fit for the role, referring to the person specification and your motivation for applying.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Kellie Gordon | kellie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07506 742056
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
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Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 26th October 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Friday 30th October 2026
Interviews: w/c Monday 2nd November 2026
We are in the process of confirming dates for interviews. As soon as we have this information, we will update the site and inform all who have applied.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
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