Headteacher (The Willows Primary School)

The Willows is a large, maintained community school for children aged 3 -11. The school has capacity for 630 pupils, with a 60-place nursery unit. Currently there are 619 on role and 57 in the nursery unit. The school is also home to a specialist provision for children with hearing impairment, who are fully integrated into school life and supported by a dedicated audiology team.

We are proud of all our wonderful children, strong staff team and supportive governors, and the caring, cooperative culture that brings our community together. Our next headteacher will inherit a school with a clear record of improvement and a secure ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement.

The Willows is situated in Penkhull, in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, within a well-established and diverse residential community. As a community school, strong relationships with pupils, families, local businesses, community organisations and local authority are central to everything we do.

The school is situated within the grounds of The Mount, a grand 19th-century housebuilt by Josiah Spode II, one of the area’s most successful china manufacturers. The school continues to make use of several ground-floor rooms within this historic building, providing a unique connection to the area’s rich industrial heritage.

We are looking for an inspirational and committed leader with the vision, confidence and skills to lead our school into the next stage of its development. We are proud of what has been achieved, but we are open to change, embracing the future with optimism and with a passion to deliver the very best education for every child.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and operational management across all aspects of the school. They will play a pivotal role in shaping the school's vision, driving high standards of teaching and learning, and fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment in which pupils and staff can thrive.

The Governing Board would like a headteacher who will:

• Put safeguarding and children's wellbeing first, demonstrating professional curiosity and sound judgement.
• Be a visible, approachable, principled leader, who is ambitious for every pupil.
• Possess a deep understanding of curriculum, teaching and assessment.
• Lead and support the continued development of a rich, ambitious and inclusive curriculum for all pupils.
• Champion inclusion and ensure high-quality provision and support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
• Lead evidence-informed school improvement whilst preserving the school’s warmth, ethos and values.
• Identify clear priorities for improvement, ensuring actions are effectively implemented and impact evaluated.
• Be warm and accessible to pupils, staff, families, Governors and the local community.
• Manage finance, staffing and resources strategically, addressing risks and planning effectively for the future.
• Build strong, positive relationships with pupils, families, staff , governors, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the wider community.

Our school can offer:

• Happy, friendly, well-mannered and respectful pupils who enjoy all that our school has to offer.
• A dedicated and experienced staff team who are fully committed to continuous improvement and development.
• A supportive Governing Board who keep the wellbeing and education of our members of staff and pupils at the heart of every decision they make.

We warmly encourage prospective candidates to visit The Willows before applying, to experience our school first-hand and gain a sense of our ethos, values and community. We have arranged the following dates for school visits:

• Tuesday 1st December 2026 - 9:30 am
• Thursday 3rd December 2026 - 1:30 pm
• Monday 7th December 2026 - 9:30 am
• Wednesday 9th December 2026 - 1:30 pm
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This post is exempt under the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 All appointments will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of criminal records via the Criminal Records Bureau before the appointment is confirmed. The disclosure will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. Please note, references will be sought and an online social media check completed for all shortlisted candidates prior to interview.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of our children and young people and expects all its employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

To arrange a visit please contact the school office on: 01782 233280

To request an application pack, contact our Business Manager at: hjones@willowsprimary.com

The closing date for applications is 16th December 2026 at 3pm

The interview date is 12th – 13th January 2027