--- title: "New headteacher joins St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in Jarrow" url: "https://bccet.org.uk/news/2025-10-07-new-headteacher-joins-st-joseph-s-catholic-primary-in-jarrow" school: "Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust" --- # New headteacher joins St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in Jarrow ![Image of New headteacher joins St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in Jarrow](https://files.schudio.com/bishop-chadwick-catholic-education-trust/images/news/BCCET_St_Joseph-s_Jarrow_headteacher_Anthony_Kennedy_2.jpg) 7 October 2025 A new headteacher has joined St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Jarrow. Anthony Kennedy joined the school, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education School, in September following the retirement of Paul Craig at the end of the summer term. Mr Kennedy has always worked in Catholic education and describes taking the headteacher role as his proudest achievement in his career. “As a practising Catholic who is proud of my faith, to lead a Catholic school is my proudest moment,” says the married dad-of-three. “My grandfather was in education and would be proud of it too. I was really excited to join the school; we are building on strong foundations. “St Joseph’s is a fantastic school and it has so much outdoor space and we want the children to enjoy that. I appreciate the value of play. We have the space so it would be a real advantage to develop a great outdoor space. I also want to make international links, as it gives children such great opportunities, different perspectives and experiences.” He says there is no such thing as a typical day in school life, “which is why I love it”. ***“***I always like to get into school early to reflect on the day ahead, check emails and set up for the day,” he says. “I like to be out and about in school to meet parents and families. Mr Craig was here for over 10 years, and you can see how much he means to the community. If I don’t have to be at my desk I try to get around the classrooms and see the children. It’s all about building relationships with the whole school community. “I love the interaction with the children. I’m very much a people person. We play a significant role in these children’s lives and their families’ lives, which is a privilege.” For more information about BCCET, visit [www.bccet.org.uk](http://www.bccet.org.uk) **ENDS** **Photo captions:** New headteacher Anthony Kennedy, pictured with pupils of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Jarrow. *Press release issued by SASS media on behalf of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust. For more information, contact Sarah Dale on 07814 976582* [ South Tyneside school wins competition in celebration of culture](https://bccet.org.uk/news/2025-09-30-south-tyneside-school-wins-competition-in-celebration-of-culture) [Proud pupils and staff of two primary schools celebrate achieving the Live Simply Award ](https://bccet.org.uk/news/2025-10-09-proud-pupils-and-staff-of-two-primary-schools-celebrate-achieving-the-live-simply-award) ![Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust](https://files.schudio.com/bishop-chadwick-catholic-education-trust/images/logo/logo-footer-with-diocese-02_(1).png) ### Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust Evolve Business Centre Cygnet Way, Rainton Bridge South Business Park Houghton-le-Spring Tyne & Wear DH4 5QY ### Quick Links - [Website Terms](https://bccet.org.uk/website-terms) - [Accessibility Statement](https://bccet.org.uk/accessibility-statement) - [Privacy Notice](https://bccet.org.uk/privacy-policy) - [FOI Statement](https://bccet.org.uk/freedom-of-information) ### Useful Links - [Key Documents](https://bccet.org.uk/key-documents) - [Teach First/SCITT](https://bccet.org.uk/work-for-us/teach-first-scitt) - [Our Schools](https://bccet.org.uk/our-schools) - [Job Vacancies](https://bccet.org.uk/job-vacancies) - [Contact Us](https://bccet.org.uk/contact) ### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BishopChadwickCET) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@bishopchadwickcet) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/78414337/admin/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/bishopchadwickcet/) © Copyright 2025–2026 Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://bccet.org.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)