Headteacher

The Willows Primary School, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7JY

36 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  12 April 2027

• Closing date

  16 December 2026 at 3pm

• Date listed

  10 November 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Headteacher Range L14 - L27

What skills and experience we're looking for

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.

What the school offers its staff

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 house built 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.

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.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Willows Primary School

• Organisation type: Local authority maintained school, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 689 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: The Willows Primary School website
• Email address: hjones@willowsprimary.com
• Phone number: 017820233280
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-willows-primary-school-stoke-on-trent

Arranging a visit to The Willows Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hjones@willowsprimary.com.

School location

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