I love the sense of team work and collaboration - I never get the Sunday night blues working here!
Teacher of Geography
I really enjoy my role because each day brings a new challenge...it also helps that I work with an amazing team! From beginning my Bishop journey as an apprentice in the Expressive Arts department, I have been able to take many development opportunities.
Finance Officer
As an ECT I really appreciate the support I get. Colleagues really care about me and support me to be the best I can be.
Teacher of Science
Our amazing staff team is talented, committed and totally professional. Staff invariably stay with us for a large part of their career - testament to the great working environment here. If you join us, you will become part of an incredibly strong team, with opportunities to develop yourself on every hand. The clear vision - every student fulfilling their unique potential - ensures we all work together to provide a great education.
Bishop Stopford School is a place where your gifts are welcome. Our students benefit from learning in a community where expertise is at the heart of all that we do. You will be encouraged to share skills, lead enrichment activities, accompany trips beyond your role, because we know that this is so fulfilling.
Teachers:
Our school is a place where you can be an expert teacher. Collaboration marks all that we do, and you will shape the curriculum with your colleagues. If you’re into research, Bishop Stopford School is definitely the place to be. We all take part in action research focused on delivering high quality teaching and learning. We lead partnerships with others to deepen knowledge and provision: we are both locally and nationally recognised for developing highly effective practice.
For those joining us in non-teaching roles:
There is a consistent focus on great performance for our associate staff too. Each team aims for excellence aligned with the core values and ensures that all the operations required to deliver a great education are well performed.
A career move can be daunting: knowing the characteristics of a school can really help. We offer a superb career experience for our staff. We all know that schools are vibrant, busy and often unpredictable – that’s part of the charm of working in them. But knowing as a colleague you will be developed, supported and encouraged is really important.
Here are a few ‘vital statistics’:
We are heavily oversubscribed: 1450 students, 400 in the Sixth Form. 8 form entry, with a Pupil Admission Number of 216.
Examination results place us consistently in the top 1% of schools in the country . All students, including those socially disadvantaged and those with Special Educational Needs, perform significantly above national averages.
c85% students stay on from GCSE to study A Levels with us; almost 90% go on to study at degree level.
Our staff team is about 200, with a wide range of experience and specialisms.
Early Career Teachers are welcome at our school.
We’re 10 minutes’ walk from Midland Mainline: staff live in Leicester and Market Harborough as well as more closely.
Your development matters to us! We are very clear that we can’t expect expertise without investing in professional development.
We encourage colleagues to share their expertise. Our Educational and Professional Studies programme showcases their amazing work.
We will support you as you grow in your career, with individual opportunities to take part in relevant development opportunities. We provide:
An induction programme with 1:1 support from a member of the Leadership Team;
Performance Development;
Access to online expertise (eg The National College, the Chartered College of Education);
Access to additional courses provided by relevant authorities and specialist knowledge companies;
Cross-school research and CPD groups;
A specialised programme for ECT colleagues.
Our ethos to support colleagues to be the best they can be is underpinned by our commitment to wellbeing. Colleagues are cared for. The range of benefits and support is wide, and tailored to individual need. Some of the provision includes:
A 'Working Well' strategy and Wellbeing Charter
Westfield Health: private GP appointments, contributions to opticians and dental costs, mental health support and a range of other benefits
Exclusive staff access to school gym
Free flu immunisations at school
Occupational health referrals
'I heard a Wispa': colleague appreciation scheme
Long Service Awards
Tax-free childcare scheme
Travel season ticket loan scheme
Cycle to Work scheme
Free parking on site
PPA from home
Special Leave & Flexible Working Policies
Menopause Cafe
National Schemes: Blue Light Card (with a small fee), Discount for Teachers
Maybe Kettering hasn’t been top of the list for you as a place to work? It’s probably time to re-think that. Our school is conveniently situated, linked to fast road and rail networks. Added to that, the cost of living locally is about 10% lower than the national average. And in terms of housing, North Northamptonshire is on average £30,000 lower than the rest of England.
So how convenient is it to work at Bishop Stopford School?
10 minutes’ walk from Midland Mainline station.
Many colleagues live in and around Kettering or South Leicestershire. Market Harborough is only a 25-minute drive (or 10 minutes by train).
London St Pancras and Birmingham New Street can be reached in under an hour.
We are situated 5 minutes from the A14, with direct access to the M1, A1 and M6.
Staff are proud to work at the school. Collectively, they strive to develop their expertise and improve all aspects of the school’s provision. The school makes sure that workloads are manageable and supports the well-being of staff.
