Headteacher

Mary Elliot Academy, Leamore Lane, Walsall WS2 7NR

Headteacher

Start date: September 2023       

Salary: L25-L31 (£79,949 - £92,597), starting salary negotiable dependent on experience.

Mary Elliot Academy is an inclusive and vibrant secondary special school for young people aged 11 to 19 with severe and profound learning needs. It is set within large grounds with a range of excellent facilities including newly refurbished hydrotherapy pool and adapted outdoor PMLD space. The school has been through a difficult period; a March 2022 Ofsted inspection resulted in an inadequate grade. This resulted in Thrive Education Partnership providing support and the academy will formally join the trust on 1st April. The academy and trust are taking significant action to rapidly improve the school and this work is underway. The appointment of a new Headteacher who can ensure long term sustained change, strengthen wider community engagement and lead the transformation of the school’s culture is central to this work. 

Mary Elliot Academy’s greatest strength is the people. As Headteacher, you will have the opportunity to lead an enthusiastic, energetic and committed senior team, a staff group who care deeply about the success of the pupils and who are craving an inspirational vision and, most importantly, a group of pupils eager for vibrant educational opportunities. This will require strong, inspirational leadership; an ability to drive change and a commitment to ensuring the school community has an excellent school that meets its pupils needs and allows them to achieve their best.

Thrive Education Partnership is a values led Multi-Academy Trust consisting of four other special needs academies, an autism specific primary satellite provision and an SEMH/AS resource base within a large secondary mainstream school. All of the academies are very different both in terms of age range and profile of needs however, the vision is clear across all of them: “A community built on improving life chances for its young people within a culture of challenge, high expectations and values-based decision making”.

TEP pride themselves on ensuring Head Teacher autonomy; it is not a corporate organisation. It is led by educationalists seeking to make a difference to a larger number of children and young people. Your professional development will be valued and you will receive extensive support through mentoring, modelling and evidence based frameworks. The trust has a proven track record of school improvement within the special school sector and are excited to work with you to achieve your own goals.

This is an exciting time for the school and the new Headteacher with the opportunity to build something special. You may be seeking your first headship or be an experienced Headteacher/Headteacher looking for a new challenge, but regardless you must have the determination and ambition to make Mary Elliot Academy your own and to lead it to a bright future. We are seeking a Headteacher who first and foremost leads with moral purpose holding a commitment to making a difference in the lives and outcomes of pupils as a result of their quality experiences at school. Above all you will share TEP’s commitment to delivering exceptional developmental and educational outcomes so that every pupil can be the best that they can be, and you will place their needs at the centre of all decision-making.

To find out more about this exceptional opportunity please visit: webmicrosites.hays.co.uk/web/mary-elliot-academy

For a confidential discussion about the role, to arrange a visit or to make an application, please contact Martin Blair at Hays Leadership Appointments.

T: 07736 791138 E: martin.blair@hays.com. 

Please do not use online “APPLY” options.

Closing date – 8am, Friday 21st April

Interviews – 26th and 27th April

TEP and Mary Elliot Academy are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check