At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformational improvement in primary education across our academies nationwide.
- Company: Join Shaw Education Trust, a dynamic family of schools committed to excellence.
- Benefits: Generous holiday entitlement, pension scheme, health and wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a strong professional community and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on children's lives and shape the future of education.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience as a former Primary Headteacher or senior Trust leader.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional National Primary Education Director, who is an inspiring and credible leader with the vision, expertise, and passion to drive transformational improvement across our primary academies nationwide. This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished and highly respected former Primary Headteacher or senior Trust leader to shape the future of primary education across our Trust. You will bring substantial leadership experience, a proven track record of securing high standards and sustained school improvement, and the ability to inspire, support and challenge school leaders to achieve excellence.
Working closely with Headteachers and Trust leaders, you will champion outstanding teaching, curriculum excellence, inclusion, safeguarding, and pupil outcomes across our academies. You will play a pivotal role in developing leadership capacity, identifying talent, and driving sustainable improvement through collaboration, accountability, and innovation. This is a career-defining opportunity to make a lasting national impact on children, families, staff, and communities. In return, you will join an ambitious and highly supportive national team committed to delivering exceptional educational experiences for every child. This is at the heart of everything we do.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Lead and support outstanding educational provision across a number of primary academies.
- Provide strategic leadership, challenge and support to Headteachers and senior leaders.
- Drive high standards in teaching, learning, curriculum development and pupil outcomes.
- Contribute to Trust-wide school improvement priorities and strategic initiatives.
- Be the national lead across the Trust for literacy and oracy.
- Promote inclusive practice, safeguarding excellence and positive school cultures.
- Champion leadership development, succession planning and talent management.
- Work collaboratively with national and regional leaders to secure sustainable improvement.
If you would like an informal discussion about working for Shaw Education Trust in this role, please contact Neil Warner, Deputy CEO.
At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful. Our values — opportunity, integrity, community, and equity — guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.
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 development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster 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 a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures. If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team. Together, let’s make the remarkable happen. We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.
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).
- Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays).
- 41 days holiday including bank holidays, with a maximum of 16 days to be taken in term time and flexible working during school holiday times.
- 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.
- 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.
Start date: January 2027, or earlier if possible. Location: SET Head Office with travel across the SET Academies.
National Primary Education Director in Kidsgrove employer: Shaw Education Trust
Shaw Education Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming lives through education. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer extensive training opportunities, generous holiday entitlements, and a supportive work culture that values every voice. Join us in making a meaningful impact on children and communities while enjoying the benefits of a collaborative network of schools and a focus on wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land National Primary Education Director in Kidsgrove
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the education sector, attend relevant events, and engage with online communities. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Trust's values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for our culture. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with our mission of transforming lives through education.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your vision for primary education and how you can drive improvement across our academies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our ambitious team at Shaw Education Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace National Primary Education Director in Kidsgrove
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for primary education shine through. We want to see how your vision aligns with our mission of transforming lives through learning.
Highlight Your Experience:Make sure to detail your leadership experience and any successes you've had in driving school improvement. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and challenge others, so share those standout moments!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to reflect the specific responsibilities and values mentioned in the job description. Show us how you can contribute to our Trust’s goals.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your commitment to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shaw Education Trust
✨Know Your Vision
As a National Primary Education Director, it's crucial to articulate your vision for primary education. Prepare to discuss how you would drive transformational improvement across academies and inspire school leaders. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead and innovate.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Highlight your substantial leadership experience and proven track record in securing high standards. Be ready to share stories of how you've supported Headteachers and senior leaders in achieving excellence. This will show that you not only understand the role but have successfully navigated similar challenges before.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Inclusion
Collaboration is key in this role, so be prepared to discuss how you would work with national and regional leaders to secure sustainable improvement. Share your thoughts on promoting inclusive practices and safeguarding excellence, as these are vital aspects of the Trust's mission.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the Trust's values and initiatives. Ask about their current challenges or future plans for curriculum development and leadership capacity building, showing that you're genuinely invested in their mission.
