At Meadows School, we are seeking an ambitious and values-driven leader ready to take the next step into Headship, or an existing Head of School looking for a new and rewarding challenge.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a vibrant, inclusive primary school where a strong sense of community, high expectations, and a commitment to every child’s success sit at the heart of everything we do. We are proud of our nurturing environment and our clear vision: Our vision is opening doors to the world though the power of learning.
Working alongside a committed and dedicated team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the school, driving standards, and ensuring an exceptional education for all pupils.
We are looking for a dynamic and aspirational leader who:
- Is an experienced senior leader (e.g. Deputy Head, Assistant Head, or equivalent), or an existing Head of School
- Has a strong track record of raising standards and improving outcomes
- Thinks strategically while maintaining a clear focus on effective day-to-day leadership
You will be passionate about primary education and deeply committed to child-centred practice, with excellent interpersonal skills, you will:
- Build positive, trusting relationships across the school community
- Communicate effectively with staff, pupils, and families
If you would like an informal discussion about working for Shaw Education Trust in this role, please contact Neil Warner, Interim Deputy CEO at (contact details can be found on advert attachment).
The Meadows is a nurturing, small school with a strong family ethos that fosters a true sense of belonging, pride in our community and compassion for all within our school family. We are committed to enabling every child to succeed both personally and academically through an innovative, inspiring and inclusive curriculum that develops independent, resilient learners with the confidence to exceed their potential. Carefully designed learning, enriched by a wide range of opportunities, ensures children gain deep, lasting understanding and are well prepared for the next stage of their learning journey.
Guided by our motto, “Learning by caring and sharing,” we are passionate about developing reflective, tolerant and respectful global citizens who value both their own education and the wellbeing of others. We are seeking a hardworking, adaptable and reflective Head of School who shares this vision, demonstrates strong leadership, and values open, positive and effective communication with parents as a vital partnership in our children’s success.
Join Shaw Education Trust – Support, Teach, Lead… Make the Remarkable Happen.
At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role holds the power to transform a life. Whether you're supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you’ll be part of something extraordinary.
We are a dynamic and growing family of Primary, Secondary, and Special Schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.
Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their growth. Through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent acceleration, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals and we champion wellbeing, value every voice, and create a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.
You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and professional community fuel success. Every academy in our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital part in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.
Our values of opportunity, integrity, collaboration and equity drive our moral purpose. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world though the power of learning”. We do this through our mission which is working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters and every learner thrives.
If you have the heart, passion, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our incredible team.
Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.
We believe that every child holds the power to be extraordinary!
That belief drives everything we do across our growing family of Primary schools. United by a passion for excellence, we work collaboratively—drawing on the latest research and bold innovation—to create vibrant, inspiring learning experiences that help every child shine.
Our Trust-wide, evolving 3D Primary Curriculum and forward-thinking Digital Strategy are crafted to spark curiosity, fuel imagination, and immerse children in energetic, meaningful learning. We are building more than just knowledge—we’re nurturing confidence, creativity, and a deep love of learning. Our schools are caring, stimulating places where children feel safe, empowered, and fully prepared for the journey ahead.
We know just how crucial these early years are! Research shows that the quality of primary education has the single greatest impact on a child’s academic growth—and their social and emotional development too, but we also know we are not in this alone. A child’s earliest experiences, shaped by strong partnerships between home, preschool, and school, form the foundation for lifelong success. That’s why we value our families as essential partners in every step of the journey.
We embrace the diversity of our schools and communities, and we support each one to develop bespoke programmes of study that reflect their unique context—programmes that help children explore deeper, think bigger, and dream bolder.
Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:
- An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
- Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
- Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
- Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
- Free Eye Tests
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.
We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.
Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.
- Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
- Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
- Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
- Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
- Participating in peer reviews.
- Access to a suite of online courses.
- Placement projects within our family of schools.
The Meadows Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, click here to review Safeguarding and Pupil Protection Policy https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/key-information
This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with our Trust’s commitment to safer recruitment.
An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), formerly known as the CRB, is required. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.
Shaw Education Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at every stage.
In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.
We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications.
Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.